The Connection Between Mark Twain And Huckleberry Finn
The novel of “Huckleberry Finn” is a fantastic book by Mark Twain, a prominent author in American literature. The book focuses on the life of Huckleberry Finn, also known as “Huck” in the book. Huck has struggled through life with an abusive father, and has tried to divert his attention and energy to fastening a better life for himself. His overwhelmed self eventually brought him to the point of escaping his drunken father, and canoe down the Mississippi River, where he finds a slave by the name of Jim. The story unfolds as a young boy searching for stability and trust in his life, two things he has lived without for the majority of his time being alive.
Mark Twain grew up in Missouri, alongside the Mississippi River as the sixth of seven children. This was where the story of Huckleberry begin, as the story writes of the setting being close to the Mississippi River, and eventually, Huck starting his journey on the river in a canoe. One passion of Twain’s was his steamboats. His greatest ambition as a kid was being a steamboat man, as this birthed the reason for Huck setting out on the Mississippi River, being connected to Twain's passion for the river life. Another way to connect Mark Twain and Huck would be the situation with there dad. Even though Huck had a drunk and abusive father, unlike Mark’s dedicated father, Mark still lost his father at the age of 11 due to pneumonia. This plays a role in the story for Huck, as he was never supported by a guardian in his life, which led to his trust issues and longing for relationships. Twain's father died, and left him out on his own to find a career that would support him in his future. Both of these situation differ, but have the same connecting points that would lead Twain's spark of creating a story lacking a father figure in Huck’s life.
The setting of the book is very important to the plot, as it takes place in St. Petersburg Missouri, a small rivertown located on the Mississippi River. This is crucial to the plot, because without the river, Huck would have never had a chance to escape and meet the people he did on the river. This would be another way to connect the author and Huck Finn, as Mark Twain’s childhood home was placed on the Mississippi River, where the ambition of being a steamboat man began. The time of this story took place in the early 1800’s, where slavery is still prominent and no modern technology has yet been invented. These two parts of the setting are important to the plot and context of the story.
There were many characters that influenced Huck, but to start, Huck Finn is the protagonist of the story, as the book revolves around Huck’s life and shows what he is thinking and what he does because he is the narrator of the story. The boy strives for adventure, proven by the following quote: “I felt just the way any other boy would a felt when I see that wreck laying there so mournful and lonesome in the middle of the river. I wanted to aboard of her and slink around a little.” This shows the adventurous nature of Huck, and how he wants to explore the unknown natures of the world. On the other hand, in a personal way, he is a very self-owned boy, meaning that he has been on his own for some time, and never had anyone trustworthy enough to be able to go to when he needs an adult to guide him. Although he can be very independent, he is still a young boy, and observes other to learn how they deal with situations, as he often looks to his friend Tom Sawyer when confronted with a situation. Tom is a dear friend of Huck’s, as they are in the “robber’s gang” as Tom teaches Huck of the civilized life he is encountered when he lived with Widow Douglas. A quote from Tom: “Now we’ll start this band of robbers and call it Tom Sawyer’s gang. Everybody that wants to join has got to take an oath, and write his name in blood.” Not only is this a quote showing their friendship, but shows they want to become closer and have a trusting bond. This quote also shows how these two are dear friends and have a lot of similarities in likings, personality, and the way they approach things.
Widow Douglas and Miss Watson are two characters that try caregiving for Huck. They understand the situation Huck is in with his father, and they want to offer a better life for him by providing him a supportive guardian in his life, and providing him with the essentials, food, clean shelter, and education. Widow Douglas and Miss Watson are two wealthy sisters who live together in St. Petersburg in a large house. The following quote is from Jim reflecting the caregiving of Miss Watson: “What had poor Miss Watson done to you, that you could see her nigger go off right under your eyes and never say one single word? What did that poor old woman do to you, that you could treat her so mean?” Even though Huck may have mistreated her, she was still in his life no matter what, unlike his dad. This proves they could take very good care of Huck, and provide a life where he can succeed, and not be dragged down by his drunken father.
Jim, arguably one of the most important characters in the story, is one of Miss Watson’s household slaves who escaped and met with Huck on the island where they set up camp. Jim taught Huck many lessons, and as a black man during a slavery primed time, showed that the two never saw each other as differences, and thought of each other as equal. Apart from their relationship, Jim was a family man, and longed for his wife and children whom he loved very much, something Huck had never experienced before. This began their relationship to where Huck could finally trust a male guardian, look up to him, and have a superior example to follow.
