Huck Finn - Mark Twain's Views
Huck Finn - Mark Twain's ViewsThroughout the Mark Twain (a.k.a. Samuel Clemens) novel, The Adventures of HuckleBerry Finn, a plain and striking point of view is
expressed by the author. His point of view is that of a cynic; he
looks upon civilized man as a merciless, cowardly, hypocritical
savage, without want of change, nor ability to effect such change.
Thus, one of Mark Twain's main purposes in producing this work seems
clear: he wishes to bring to attention some of man's often concealed
shortcomings. While the examples of Mark Twain's cynic commentaries on
human nature can be found in great frequency all through the novel,
several examples seem to lend themselves well to a discussion of this
sarcastic view. In the beginning of the novel, it would seem that
both Huck Finn and Jim are trapped in some way and wishing to escape.
For Huck, it is the violence and tyranny of his drunken father. Kept
in a veritable prison, Huck wishes desperately to escape. Jim feels
the need to escape after hearing that his owner, Miss Watson, wishes
to sell him down the river-a change in owners that could only be for
the worse. As they escape separately and rejoin by chance at an island
along the river, they find themselves drawn to get as far as possible
from their home. Their journey down the river sets the stage for most
of Mark Twain's comments about man and society. It is when they stop
off at various towns along the river that various human character
flaws always seem to come out. Examples of this would include the
happenings after the bringing on of the Duke and King. These two con
artists would execute the most preposterous of schemes to relieve
unsuspecting townspeople of their cash. The game of the King
pretending to be a reformed marauder-turned-missionary at the tent
meeting showed that people are gullible and often easily led,
particularly when in groups and subjected to peer pressure. The
execution of the Royal Nonesuch showed another instance of people in
society being subject to manipulation. The fact that, after being
taken by a poor show they sent rave reviews of it...
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