Huckleberry Finn Literary Analysis

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Throughout “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Twain demonstrates the value of intellectual knowledge through the characterization and dialogue of Pap. However, Twain also comments on the corrupt moral values that education teaches. This is shown through the symbolism of Miss Watson as well as the irony of her going to ‘the good place.’ By commenting on these conflicting aspects of education, Twain is telling the reader to continue learning, but always be aware of the unintentional information being received. There needs to be a positive balance between knowing intellectual facts and interpreting morals that may accompany it. Early in the story, Twain portrays the values of being well educated intellectually; this is done so through the…show more content…
When Huck runs away from Pap, he makes use of his strong intelligence to construct it to appear as though it was a murder, “Well, last I pulled out some of my hair, a blooded the axe good, and stuck it on the back side, and slung the axe in the corner” (35). To even further support his scheme, Huck creates a trail in the other direction, “The meal sifted out and made a little track all the way to the lake. I dropped pap’s whetstone there too, so as to look like it had been done by accident” (36). These intricate details show that not only did Huck have the mental capacity to get away but he also had an understanding of society’s educated expectations to create such an elaborate plan that ensures no one will look for him again. Twain is expressing the importance of intellectual education here, because it is profoundly significant in providing Huck safety from…show more content…
After Jim and Huck rejoin, Jim finally believes it all to be a dream, Twain writes, “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger” (78). Huck may not believe in slavery, but he absolutely sees himself better than Jim. He has to “work himself up to” it and Twain uses the word choice of calling Jim “a nigger” instead of by his name. Twain’s comment here is that Huck has the intellectual skills, but is still lacking in understanding the accompanying morals, which is something that he, as an individual, needs to recognized and make sense of for
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