The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
There are few books that I really enjoy. I may find them adequately entertaining and find some merit in them, but I can't say they truly stir me. The few that do are real gems.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was one of those gems, and I have to say that I am surprised that it is overshadowed by The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Tom Sawyer was a good book, though I personally loathed the hero of it. It is probably a book for those who are nostalgic about their childhood, or what they wished their childhood had been. However, I felt that Huckleberry Finn just had so much more to offer.
First, its two main characters were much more sympathetic and likable. Huckleberry Finn is the sequel to Tom Sawyer. When the book starts out, Huckleberry is just starting to adjust to life with the Widow Douglas and her sister Miss Watson. At first, he finds it restrictive and uncomfortable, though he is treated kindly. His initial objections are interesting to hear, for anyone who has ever tried to help the truly poor and disadvantaged have often been faced with these exasperating obstacles. The Widow buys Huck new clothes, but he finds them uncomfortable to the rags he usually wears. He finds a bed uncomfortable and prefers to sleep in a dirty hogs shed. He dislikes the established routine of his life--having a particular time to eat, to go to sleep, etc. He also has a problem that his food is too easily gotten. He prefers to catch his own meal. Essentially, Huck loves the freedom and self-sufficiency of his old ways. Yet, his ways cannot build him a future like the ways of the Widow, which conforms to society. Eventually, Huck does start to adapt--and though he misses some things about his old life--he also likes some aspects of his new life.
His new life, though, is threatened with the return of his abusive, alcoholic father. The father had went missing, and some even thought he had drowned in the river. However, he is "resurrected" by a sure way to call back any missing relative...the mention of money. In this case, he has learned that Huckleberry is wealthy, and he wants Huck's money. He resents his son getting an education, thinking Huck is trying to be better than his old man. Though a custody battle is fought between the Widow and Mr. Finn, Mr. Finn wins because the laws do not like to separate a parent from their child. The judge tries to help Mr. Finn turn over a new leaf, only to learn that Mr. Finn has no desire to change. Once he has custody of his son, Mr. Finn then fights to have Huck's money turn over to him. To get away from everyone, Huck decides to fake his own death. This is when the real adventure begins, but I am getting ahead of myself...for I still have yet to introduce the second character.
There may be prejudice against this book because how often the "n-word" is used (derogatory term referring to black people). The n-word was used in Tom Sawyer too, but not nearly as frequently as it is in Huckleberry Finn. Of course, the n-word was not always considered derogatory as it is now. At one time, it was merely a term denoting a "dark-skinned person". Also, though blacks were sometimes referred to in Tom Sawyer, I cannot recall that there were actually any characters that were black. In Huckleberry Finn, the supporting character is black...and his portrayal--if you look at it superficially--is an embarrassing look at how white people viewed blacks in this time period.
I have heard arguments over the years about whether some books and other media should be rewritten (or redone) or some should be banned that depict derogatory stereotypes. As a Caucasian, I may not totally able to appreciate the sensitivities of those who hold this opinion. I have to admit that when you read these books and hear a term so often, it sometimes sticks in your head more, so maybe the concern is valid. However, I generally am opposed to revisions because I feel it inaccurately portrays history--and thus deprives future generations of valuable social lessons and pride over humanity's accomplishments. Yes, Huckleberry Finn can be embarrassing in its portrayal of blacks. This portrayal was actually quite common up until my mother's day. Blacks were often portrayed as comical, foolish, superstitious, and easily duped. If they were not going about saying, "I's too scared to go in dere, masta--dah ghost might get me", they were singing and tap dancing. This seemed to be the extent of the roles of black people in literature and movies for a long time. However, I think it is important that some record of these attitudes is maintained in history...as prejudice is very natural, I think we need these embarrassing reminders to make sure we don't slip backwards and regress. I also think that it shows that we have made improvements. Though the world is not perfect, and prejudice is still around, blacks do have more extended roles in the media and in society. America has a black president, and there are some notable black actors that do incredible work and never tap dance.
The supporting character Jim, despite how ridiculous he seems in the beginning, is actually a very noble character with his own brand of wisdom. I find it unfortunate that because initially he is introduced in a stereotypical way, it may cause people to overlook this. I was confused at first of when this book took place. It seemed to be after the Civil War, and yet slavery still seemed prevalent. It turns out that though blacks were technically free after the Civil War, the reality was that slavery still continued to exist for quite a while after. Blacks were still sold like chattel. Why this should surprise me, I don't know. After all, even in this day and age--long after slavery has been considered illegal, human trafficking still exists like a dirty little secret. Illegal immigrants, orphans, and foster children are frequently victims of trafficking.
Jim runs away from his owner Miss Watson after a slave dealer offers her money for Jim. He meets up with Huck after the boy has faked his death, and the two start their adventure together. Though Huck helps Jim escape, he often is conflicted in doing so. Huckleberry, after all, is white--and he has been ingrained with prejudices. Helping a slave to escape their owners is immoral and one of the lowest things you can do as a person. It is worse than even regular stealing. Huckleberry feels guilty because Miss Watson helped him learn how to read, and here he repays her by helping her slave escape. In the eyes of God, even, he is certain he is damned. It is an attitude that is hard to wrap your mind around when you come from a time where slavery is considered immoral (even if it still goes on).
We get a better look at Jim as the story develops. In the beginning, Jim is stereotypical: foolish, a bit full of himself, superstitious, has big ideas for someone in his situation, and is easily duped. Though Jim is superstitious, many of his superstitions actually seem to be true. His superstitions seem to be based on acute observations and an instinct about human nature. Jim is loyal and has a good heart. He sacrifices his freedom and even puts his life in danger to help Tom Sawyer--whose selfishness actually has put Jim in a bad situation. Jim's priorities are always right. The story about how he learned about his daughter's deafness is heartbreaking.
What adventures these two have! REAL ADVENTURES too, not fake ones that Tom so often has. I found this book thrilling! Huck fakes his murder, crossdresses to learn information, explores a wrecked ship, just to name a few! I was often breathless with some parts, and some parts are hilarious! On the way, he meets many people and encounters many situations that show social problems and ridiculous concepts. For example, he gets adopted by a family called the Grangerfords--and this part of the story has a "Romeo and Juliet" subplot going on. This family is at war with a neighboring family over a grudge that nobody can remember, and yet it doesn't stop them from killing each other. They both go to the same church, where there is a temporary truce inside, but outside they shoot each other again.
Tom Sawyer has a thankfully small role in this book (I have already mentioned that I loathe this character). I don't know how old this kid is supposed to be, but I still maintain he is a little sociopath and totally lacking in any concept of reality. Though children don't always understand consequences and can be inconsiderate, I still think Tom is too extreme to blame it on youth. His inconsideration of other's feelings goes beyond normal. We blame television for giving people unrealistic concepts, but Tom manages to be heavily influenced by books (though I am surprised the boy reads at all). In his obsessive desire to do things like people in books do them, he puts his friends in horrible danger and causes everyone a lot of distress.
The ending of the book was a little ridiculous, and I felt it was perhaps taking a bit too much artistic license. I had a hard time believing that Jim would put up with what he did and stay in a prison that he could escape out of. Jim is good-natured, but he seems to be lacking good sense at the end that he has shown throughout the book. However, it does give him the chance to show his goodness.
I haven't read enough of Mark Twain's books to know if I consider this to be the best of his works. I just know that I prefer it to Tom Sawyer. Apparently, he really struggled writing it. It took seven years. Others who have remarked that the ending is disappointing believe that he rushed it just to be done with it. He wrote several adventures featuring Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. It seems that he often used these books to highlight issues in societies, but apparently some stories did not get finished because he could not maintain the light-heartedness that he seemed to make a must for these books. For instance, there was one story about a pioneer family who gets killed by Indians--and the story did not get finished because he has one of the kidnapped daughters being raped. Other stories didn't get finished because perhaps they broke other rules. There was one where Tom and Huck are old men reminiscing about their lives...and apparently, people didn't want these characters to age (though I believe they did grow up to be men in some completed stories).
I do recommend this book. The character development, the societal portrayals, and the exciting adventures make it a worthwhile read. I believe it has something for everyone, and I think it can appeal to a wider audience.
