Huck Finn Narrative Analysis

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Mark Twain argues that his novel lacks basic structure for a story, motive and plot, while saying “Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot,” in the opening remarks. He gives this note to the reader in the beginning because it is impossible to disagree without reading it, but he was wrong. This novel only exhibits motive, plot, and moral. Huck’s plot and motive and moral are all wrapped into one personal crisis: himself. Huck Finn goes on a physical journey of self-discovery to discover if he wants his personality to only reflect those around him and change constantly or be himself all while battling…show more content…
Huck observes those around him and acts accordingly because he is a people pleaser and feeds off of positive attention, like most children. While constantly being a mirror, it is never seen what he actually does but rather what he is thinking about doing. The lack of dialogue leaves the reader in Huck’s inner monologues because the plot is not about his physical journey, but more of a mental and emotional journey into finally being able to discover himself and not act to please those around him. Huck is faced with a crisis in his physical identity relevant while saying, “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterwards, neither” (15.49). Twain places Huck in a life without a positive role model so he will not grow up knowing that he can be who he wants to be. There was nothing wrong with Widow Douglas, but she never gave Huck the impression that he could be someone other than who she wanted him to be: a devoted, educated Christian. When he did not live up to her expectations she threw words at him that he would remember for weeks to come, “she said I was a fool. She never told me why, and I couldn't make it out no way” (3.1).
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