American Literature

Notwithstanding the fact that it is one of the considered greatest American works of art, Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been put into question for several times because of the numerous criticisms about its controversial portrayal of moral education throughout the plot of the story. 

Huck Finns Moral Conflicts

    One of the dominating moral issues in this great American literature is the discussion of the moral dilemmas and challenges that Huck Finn, the main character, had encountered during his great quest in his life.

    Huck Finn has experienced tremendous moral dilemmas due to the fact that he was raised into a negligent and abusive upbringing. His father, who is a certified alcoholic and illiterate, has  brought him nothing except negative attitudes and influences (Twain  Blair 1988). Instead of serving as a good example to Huck, his father is more of a discouraging factor to his life. This is thus the reason why Huck Finn decided to leave his father and pursue his dream to have a long journey.

    Another negative influence in the life of Huck Finn is the characterization of Widow Douglas, the individual who is very strict in terms of moral obligations but never had Huck Finn seen her to live in her principles (Twain  Blair 1988). What Widow Douglas is teaching is not reflected to her everyday life. Because of this, Huck Finn realized, through Widow Douglas, that grownups should reflect their beliefs by examples.

    Huck Finn, in addition, had a moral conflict with his idea of slavery because of what the White Americans have reflected. He has learned that slavery is a natural order and to be loyal to slave is an evil deed (Twain  Blair 1988). This is the reason why he had encountered a great problem  during the time when he met Jim, an African slave whom he saved from slavery. At first, he was doubtful in helping Jim because he knows that he will be put into Hell by helping a slave. But in the end, his passion to help get out Jim from slavery dominated. Through this, Huck Finn shows a very significant attitude which is indeed very rare to the people considering the environment where he was raised. Huck Finn shows the very essence of sacrificial love when he does what he think is right despite of personal consequences. Even though he knows that he will be put into Hell, he still not turned in Jim as a runaway slave.

    Nevertheless, Hucks sacrificial love did not turn out to be futile because Jim served as his greatest mentor in life. It is through Jim where Huck Finn learned about friendship, loyalty and humanity. Jim is the person that Huck Finn admires most. This is mostly associated to the characterization of Jim being an intelligent and resourceful individual. Jim did not only serve as the greatest teacher of Huck but he also served as the motivating factor who teaches  most of the positive attributes of Huck Finn.

Freedom and Slavery

    Huck Finns great search for the very essence of freedom is one of the dominating topics in the story. In the work of Mark Twain, there are a lot of escapes that manifested throughout the plot of the story. First is the escape of Huck Finn to Widow Douglas. That was considered to be a parental escape because Huck Finn would like to get out from the custody of Widow Douglas who was characterized as negative in the story (Twain  Blair 1988). Huck Finns escape to Widow Douglas is considered both to be positive and negative act of the main character of the story. It is positive because it shows the courage of Huck to become independent in life though there are many challenges that may come along his way. It is likewise negative because it reflects a non-responsible act of a child to the parents or guardians. What Huck did has a negative connotation to most of the people considering  the respect to the culture that a child should be in the custody of the parents.

    Another escape that Huck did was on the part of his father who happens to be an alcoholic and abusive. Huck Finn left his father because he also wanted to escape from the problems that were coupled to his problematic father. Though that act can be considered as negative, Huck Finn has a reason why he has to leave his father. He just wanted to be free from the abuse of his father to him.

    Actually, Hucks father can be considered as one of the catalysts why Huck escaped and went to his journey. If and only if Hucks father became responsible to his duties as parent of Huck, there would be a possibility that Huck will never escape and take journey with his friends.

    Furthermore, escape is also seen on the part when Huck Finn helped Jim to get out of slavery. Though he knows that it is against on his moral orientation, Huck Finn did not hesitate to help Jim because of his love for his friend. Through this situation, Huck Finn did not only literally help Jim to escape from slavery but he also escaped from his greatest fear in life   going to Hell because of helping a slave. It is because according to the culture where Huck Finn grew, being loyal to a slave is considered evil and slavery is a natural order.

Jim and his Moral Implications Shared to Huck Finn

    The main issue with regards to discrimination being characterized in this story is the issue about slavery which is portrayed on the character of Jim, the Black slave who was saved by Huck Finn.

    Actually, the characterization of Jim in the story shows two important lesson on moral education. First, through Jim, racial discrimination among the Blacks becomes known to most of the people. It is considered that through this story, the issue on discrimination was enlightened to most of the Americans.   

    Likewise, it is through the characterization of Jim that the negative perception about the Blacks was contradicted. Though Jim is portrayed as a slave in the story, he was described as intelligent and resourceful individual which makes the characterization fair. In fact, Jim has played an important role in the moral education of Huck Finn. It is through him that Huck learned the very essence of friendship and love. Though Huck experienced a great problem on saving Jim from slavery, Jim was definitely the reason why Huck learned the essence of companionship and love.

Huck Finns Negative Moral Implications
    Though Huck is considered as one of the greatest American literature, there are still lots of controversies about its social and moral implications to the people especially to the young ones.

    Some claim that Huck Finn is not a good example to children since he can be considered as delinquent child who always escapes from people and situation. It is indeed true that there might be a possibility that the characterization of Huck may influence people in a wrong way. First, it is truly wrong to escape from home and travel to distant place at a very young age. Children are supposed to be at the custody of the parents during that age. Next, the act of Huck Finn on escaping from the people whom he made mistakes is not also right. It is not a good example for children to see a child who is always making escape as the defense mechanism for his mistakes.

    Nevertheless, on the perceived negative acts of Huck Finn lie positive attributes which are indeed worthy to become inspiration. First, Huck Finn shows a good example of courage and independence with his characterization in the story. Though he has no guardians to provide his needs, he still survived and passed the greatest test of his life. Not everyone can live alone especially at Huck Finns age.  But he has proven that age does not matter when it comes to courage and independence.

    Likewise, through Hucks story, we can feel and see the real essence of sacrificial love   the kind of love that asks for nothing in return. This was proven when he chose to save his friend Jim from slavery rather than what he believes in life for several years. He did not even consider that he might go to Hell because of putting his loyalty to Jim. That kind of act is a true manifestation of a love which does not require for something in return.

    There are various moral implications that Huck Finns story left as indelible mark to most of the people. It is up to them what are those which are worthy enough to become inspirations and which are not. The decision still lies to the people just like Hucks interventions whenever he needs to decide for himself. What matters most is that Huck Finn taught us the real meaning of friendship, humanity, independence and most of all   the sacrificial love.