Ella Zajonc

English Western Lit and Comp

Section 2

1-17-22

Huck May Be Morally Superior

Although Huck frequently lies and tricks people, he sometimes demonstrates moral

superiority when compared to those around him. When a drunken man is flung around on a

horse, the crowd around him laughs while Huck remains concerned: “It warn’t funny to me,

though; I was all of a tremble to see his danger” (Twain 151). Though dishonest and wily, Huck

shows sincere concern for a stranger and values the man’s safety over his own amusement.

Huck’s selfless worry for the man reveals a strong moral compass not easily swayed by the

actions of those around him.

Dialect Enhances Authenticity

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain uses dialect to further immerse the

reader in the setting of the book and to enhance the authenticity of the characters. Narrated by

Huck, the first-person novel uses colloquial language: “Well, I warn’t long making him

understand I warn’t dead. I was ever so glad to see Jim. I warn’t lonesome now. I told him I

warn’t afraid of him telling the people where I was” (Twain 44). Twain’s use of dialect

enhances the first-person narrative, as it is an accurate representation of how people in the South
in the 1800’s would have spoken. This authenticity helps readers feel more immersed and

invested in the novel.

The Raft is Freedom

By depicting freedom as a raft and playing upon the basic human desire for freedom,

Twain instantly ensures that all of his readers can relate to Huck and Jim. Huck and Jim are both

trying to become free men, with one escaping slavery and the other escaping his father. The raft

embodies a vessel of freedom: “You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft” (Twain

119). Humans all long for freedom from problems and constrictions, and readers can easily

connect with Huck and Jim’s plight for freedom.