In the novel Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, two characters are portrayed, revealing themselves as heroic figures. Huck and Jim, two opposites traveling down the Mississippi River searching for freedom, land into predicaments were they must use their wits to overcome. Huck and Jim’s strengths and weaknesses determine the outcome of their escape from “sivilization”.
Huck has the ability to adapt to almost any situation through dishonesty. Huck lies, cheats, and swindles his way down the river. “All right then I’ll go to hell,” Huck says when he realizes he is betraying society to help a black slave. He suppresses his emotions and handles loneliness in a mature way. “. . .she drifted in so close that they could ‘a’ run out a plank and walked ashore. Most everybody was on the boat. Pap, and Judge Thatcher, and Bessie Thatcher, and Joe Harper, and Tom Sawyer, and his old Aunt Polly, and Sid, and Mary and plenty more.”(34) This quote shows Huck’s strength of being able to suppress his emotions. Intelligence is another great strength Huck possesses, he is cunning enough to frame his own murder in the house. Huck is motivated enough and goes through with his escape and fake death. Huck’s weaknesses set him back from having a perfect escape. His curiosity which is powered by his immaturity set him back from being the real hero. For example the night when Jim and Huck lost each other in the fog and the next morning Huck acts as if they had never been separated which hurts Jim’s feelings.
The Essay on Huckelberry Finn Huck Jim Tom
Huckleberry Finn's Journey Through Life The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn takes the readers through many different twists and turns as well as emotions. A stunning tale about a young boy who is looking to over come his father and make it on his own. Here, I set out on a task to find the hero's journey as expressed throughout this story. The story begins off with the main character, Huck, planning ...
Jim’s greatest strength is his loyalty to his friends and his honest heart. He is the observer of his surroundings. Jim observes the nervous action of the birds and predicts it will rain, Jim’s prediction comes true for a storm poured over the island. He is a very optimistic thinker, “but I ben rich wunst, and gwyne to be rich ag’in”(41).
Jim is imaginative but has common sense. Being a black slave that has run away from his master puts Jim in a critical spot. He relies on Huck to protect him from authorities of law. Jim would risk his own life to aid Huck.
Their travel down the river would be simple if Jim was not a runaway black slave. Since Huck is white and has quick reflexes to lie and make stories Jim may not get caught if Huck uses his skill of talk correctly. Their weaknesses and strengths cancel each other out leading one to a decision that Huck and Jim may make it to a free state safely. They may encounter some problems but will always find a way out.
These courageous characters made by Mark Twain both obtain the intelligence, motivation, skill, and common sense to live outdoors to face challenges. Their weaknesses may bring small problems but can always be fixed by either one of the others strengths
