Started from the Bottom Now WE HEEYA

We have finally made it to to end of Huckleberry Finn! In chapters 36-43 Huck has accomplished meeting his destined self. Yet before this occurrence a great amount of backtracking took place. With Tom back in Huck’s life, Huck was unable to progress and converted back into his role of a “follower” that he played in the beginning of the novel. Huck is back to a mindless, immature nature for he lets Tom boss him around and brainwash him with ridiculous ideas. In chapter 38 Huck and Jim both realize how Tom creates insane ideas(more like steal them from novels) but never contributes with any of the work. If Huck were to stand up to Tom and perform his original plan, matters would be much easier. Huck is well aware of this but fails to speak up due to Tom’s negative influence. Huck’s evolution has been interrupted and he is being stripped of all of the important lessons that he accomplished.

Huck regains his advanced self when he reconnects with his remembrance of his and Jim’s friendship. After Tom is shot, Jim immediately assists him in search of medical attention. This is the second incident where Huck views Jim as a white man. This permanently adjusts Huck’s view on society.

In chapter 41 Huck is reunited with the Phelps while Tom is being helped by the doctor. Aunt Sally, who is absolutely mortified, refused to allow Huck to go out in search of Tom. She expressed her deep concern and how she is too frightened to risk losing another boy. Similar to Huck’s sympathy toward Maryjane, Huck reencounters this emotion toward Sally and promises to never hurt her again. This depicts Huck’s concern, sweetness, and development for the consideration of others. (especially women (; )

At last everything falls into place for Huck. He learns that Pap is dead and Jim’s omen of his hairy chest proved true. Although Huck is not looking forward to Aunt Sally’s attempt to civilize him, he has grown and evolved enough to know how to handle such a situation. If it wasn’t for Jim, we would fail to see the significant changes that Huck made within himself. Huck found the true him, who was there all along.

Did he do it? ... Almost

Toward the beginning of the novel, Hucks reveals his appreciation of his companionship with Jim after the snake incident.  In chapter 31, Huck encounters these strong feelings once again when he can’t find Jim.  When Huck learns that his closest friend, who acts as father figure in his life, was sold for “forty dirty dollars”, he is destroyed.  As an immediate reaction Huck cries.  Huck then brainstorms a bunch of actions he could perform to find his way back to Jim, yet decides to not follow through.  This decision shows Huck’s new level of thinking.  Huck taking consequences into consideration portrays that he has matured.  Due to such strong apprehension and anguish Huck attempts to rely on religion.  Through this action you can see that Huck has yet to find his true self.  Suffering from his intense internal conflict Huck makes a decision, creating himself a mold.  After trying to pray and writing down confessions to Miss.Watson, Hucks has an independent mind of his own for the first time ever. He decides to disregard all of the stereotypical “right” things to do, and do whatever he has to do to be reunited with Jim. At this exact point, Huck is as close as he has ever been to finding himself.  Huck is motivated to regain his friend.

Throughout the remainder of the chapters Huck continues to lie consistently for Jim.  Continuing to depict his feelings for Jim and the severe impact Jim has on Huck.  Huck is reacquainted with Tom Sawyer and Tom aids him in finding Jim.  During their time together they have a discussion about having a conscience.  Huck seems to take steps in the wrong direction for he undermines his conscience.  His lack of appreciation for his conscience seems that his growth has paused.  A mature mind would be thankful to have a conscience.  During 31 through 35 Huck reaches a major climax.

Society Stinks

In this section of the novel, Huck's search for identity continues, taking a turn when meeting two new characters, the Duke and the Dauphin.  These two conmen depict the corrupt society and individuals which exist.  The exposure of the Duke and the Dauphin’s unjust motives bring out a new side in Huck.  At first, when the conmen perform their rip-off plays and other cruel activities, Huck finds these performances to be somewhat humorous.  This shows the playful, immature mentality that still exists in Huck.  Yet when the con men fake to be the two brothers of the dead man Peter Wilks, Huck develops a strong sensation of emotion and anger.  Witnessing such a sweet, gullible family get ripped off, tore Huck apart.  The heavy guilt stirring within Huck drives him to steal back the money and return it to the family.  This attempt shows Huck’s new, severe development in determining right from wrong. He can also be viewed as a type of heroic or leading figure, considering he is the only one brave enough to do something about the matter.  These actions bring Huck one step closer to the revelation of his identity.  

Aside from the coming of Huck through the Duke and the Dauphin, you can see an even softer side of Huck through Jim during these chapters.  Using the racial lense, during the time setting of this novel, blacks were abused and known for almost only their use as servants and slaves.  Huck, being the naive, lost boy that he is, sees Jim as a “nigger” who was Miss.Watson ‘s and the Widow’ slave.  Although Jim and Huck already have established an evolving relationship, Huck finally views Jim as human.  When Jim’s raw emotion in regards of his family pour out of him Huck claims to see him as a “white man”.  Based off of all the disappointing factors in society that Huck has recently witnessed, he sees Jim an even better man than a white male.  Throughout these chapters Huck sees the horrific malice and vengefulness of the world and the horrid people it contains.  With the sense of moral confusion still existing, it seems that Huck is preparing to go against the grain and rise above the horror.