2006, Form B. In many works of literature, a physical
journey - the literal movement from one place to another - plays a central
role. Choose a novel, play, or epic poem in which a physical journey is an
important element and discuss how the journey adds to the meaning of the work
as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of the most well known pieces
of American literature. Within its’ many lines lies different truths about the
current world around Huckleberry Finn, and many different conflicts that people
in the world have faced. After reading the title of this novel, we can
automatically infer that it is going to be an adventure story, of someone going
out on a journey to capture something they need. And we see this very
dominantly in this novel. As Huck and Jim travel up the Mississippi River we
start to see what they are both in need of. While reading this novel, we see
the relationship that forms between Huck and Jim from being on the river, we
see that they can be away from the flawed society while on the raft (not
completely escaping societal problems), and that they are both on their way to
greater freedom.
Huck and Jim were already connected from the beginning of the novel. In
the beginning, Huck thought of Jim only as a slave, of being property. As they
spent more and more time together and traveled down the river, he began to
realize how everything he was being taught was flawed, and that Jim was in no
way a slave. He was a normal human being. Just like a river, they are forced to
accept each other for who they are and they can change their attitudes towards
each other. Jim soon becomes Huck’s father figure and he sets examples for Huck
to follow.
Immediately, we see that the river is a symbol for freedom. After Huck
fakes his death to his father, he has a raft that safely carries him down the
Mississippi River, well seemingly safe. Once he runs into Jim, they realize
they both are going to the same direction, and they make their quest together.
We see that they run into troubles when they are off of the water and on land.
These troubles show how the societal problems are not going to go away, and
they still affect Huck and Jim while they are just leaving the city of St.
Petersberg. After they have traveled a bit further down the river, we see
another event that shows how land isn’t exactly safe. They stay with an unknown
family while Huck pretends to be someone he isn’t, and after a few days of
living well, it all goes down hill. There is a mob that breaks out against the
family he is staying with. In response, Huck and Jim flee and begin their
travels down the river again. We see that the raft is a good source of safety
for both Huck and Jim.
Throughout the novel, we see many ways in which Huck and Jim are
struggling for personal freedom. Originally, Huck goes on this adventure solely
for that purpose; for it being a cool adventure and a story to tell. But we see
how he is actually escaping from something real, and we see how he is affected
by society around him. The teaching of slavery and racism are not accurate, and
he wants to get as far away as possible from these beliefs. That goes to say
why Jim is fleeing. He wants personal freedom; he wants to find his family that
he was torn apart from.
Overall, the meaning behind the Mississippi River is a very dominant one
in this novel. But the events that occur on the river and the coming of
characters are prevalent towards the plot. Both characters discover their true
identities by growing a family relationship towards each other, by being away
from the flaws of society, and by achieving freedom together. All of the events
create these two characters, and provide for a novel depicting society and
using satire to show these flaws. The former inexperienced, naïve Huck,
transforms into a matured, grown “adult”, while Jim makes a huge jump in roles
from being a slave
