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In many stories, the main character undergoes certain changes through his or her experiences. These changes occur because of a major event or journey in the characters life that causes the character to have a different perspective and think independently. Mark Twain shows this type of change in his work. The book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, shows the development of a young boy, Huck Finn, as he experiences many situations during a life-altering journey. At the beginning of the novel, non-conformity does not exist in Huck's character.
Huck Finn seems conforms to what people tell him to do. When the widow and Miss Watson try to civilize Huck and send him to school, Huck reluctantly does so, and comes to like it. A little while later in the story, Huck says I [dont] see how Id ever got to like it so well at the widows (24). When Tom Sawyer wants to start a gang, Huck does not understand some of Toms ways, but conforms anyway. Also, after Pap kidnaps Huck and takes him to a cabin in the woods, Huck comes to like it there as well, saying, I [am] used to being where I [am], and [I like] it (24). This shows that early in the story, Huck's character has yet to develop into his own.
Soon after, however, this transformation into a non-conforming individual begins to take place. Huck formulates a plan to escape from the rule of his father, as he decides he does not enjoy his fathers rule any longer. His plan seems intelligent, and works out perfectly. This marks the beginning of a change in character and judgment for Huck. Once Huck escapes, he finds Jim, a slave belonging to Miss Watson, hiding on an island.
For a moment Huck thinks that Jims running away was wrong, but then begins using his own judgment and decides not to tell on Jim, saying I aint a-going to tell, and I aint a-going back there anyways (43). Huck however believes some of Jims superstitions, showing some naivety and inability to think freely. A major change in Huck occurs when Huck and Jim take the King and the Duke aboard. Huck then realizes, on his own that the King and the Duke are frauds, and begins to think that their scandals are wrong as well, saying, It didnt take me long to make up my mind that these liars want no kings nor dukes at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds (121). During the King and the Dukes biggest scandal, Huck realizes the wrongs of the King and the Duke, saying, It [is] enough to make a body ashamed of the human race (157). This step in his development paves the way for a major character overhaul and shows Huck knows the difference between right and wrong.
A major event in the story sets the stage for a yet another major change in Huck. During one of the King and the Dukes scandals to get money, Huck escapes to the raft to try to lose the King and Duke. Once Huck gets there, he realizes Jim has been captured and decides to write a letter to Miss Watson so she can get Jim before the locals send him south. As Huck writes this letter, he makes the biggest change of the story. He decides not turn Jim in, thinking the action morally wrong. Huck then says to himself, All right, then, Ill go to hell (206).
Huck also makes up his mind that although he had learned not to steal, unless you planned to return, he would steal Jim out of slavery (206). When Tom Sawyer says that the freeing of a prisoner must take place a certain way, Huck conforms, showing a slight step back in the development of his character. Uncle Silas and Aunt Sally decide to adopt Huck, but Huck does not want any part in another adoption and decides to run away from there as well because Aunt Sally shes going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I cant stand it. I been there before (281). This shows the individualism and non-conformity in that had formed in Huck's character during his journey.
Through his experiences with Miss Watson and the widow, his father, Jim, the King and the Duke, and the Phelps, Huck Finn undergoes a major change in character in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Huck learns the difference between right and wrong and shows individualism, but more importantly becomes a non-conformist.
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Research essay sample on Difference Between Right And Wrong Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn
