In Huckleberry Finn, the main character, Huck, is on a desperate search for identity. Huck grew up in an unstable environment, his father being the town drunk. In attempt to stay away from his horrid, alcoholic father he subsided to hanging out with his best buddy Tom and living with the Widow. Tom being an extremely outgoing and adventurous boy, heavily impacts Huck and his decisions. Huck becomes a part of “Tom Sawyer’s Gang” in result of Tom having such a strong force on his life. Huck is not one to make his own decisions, he follows the grain. Considering Huck’s fragile living and family conditions, being a part of this “gang” with Tom is of great importance to him. At this early stage in the novel, Huck’s life revolves around Tom, Miss.Watson, the Widow, and Pap. Huck carries out a naive nature, failing to comprehend the concept of religion and education, and why the Widow so heavily emphasizes it. Huck is a lost boy, scrambling, trying to follow the different molds being created by the main figures in his life.
Following Huck’s lost, uncomfortable sensation in the beginning of the novel, he becomes absent minded after being abducted by Pap. A boy who is already infatuated with confusion, now refaces a miserable life with his inadequate father. The reader can see an evolution occur in Huck when responsibility begins to pour out of him and he relies on himself for survival. With Huck’s new mindset, he takes charge, and does everything in his power to escape the alcoholics madness. Successfully Huck escapes to the river.,igniting his new search to find himself.
Huck reaches another epiphany after finding Jim at Jackson Island. They develop a loving and caring relationship. After Huck plays the snake trick on him, his immaturity that still exists is depicted yet is overcome by his sense of devastation when he sees that Jim is hurt. This incident opens up a new side to Huck. Huck reaches a climax of confusion when he grows and matures to find guilt. Guilt lurs on him for he feels that he has betrayed the Widow for being with Jim, her escaped slave. This depicts how Huck’s mind and thoughts are advancing and he has began to develop a conscience. When Huck stays with the Shepherdson's, he adopts the identity of George Jackson. The comfort of this home brings back memories of living with the Widow and Miss.Watson. Another altercation of mind has activated within Huck and he continues to face his brutal exploration for himself. With the deep journey of the river, Huck is gaining knowledge.
