Huckleberry Finn

Huckleberry Finn

A really big thing in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was symbolism. One of the biggest uses of symbolism in Huckleberry Finn was the Mississippi River. The river represented the absolute, ultimate freedom. For Jim was a slave and the river was taking him to Free states so he could live life as a free man. The river was also taking Huck away from his abusive father and away from Mrs. Watson and the widow and having to do whatever they say. However, while the river symbolizes freedom the banks of the river symbolize the real world again. The river also represents calmness. Huck and Jim don't have any worries while on the river. Although as Huck and Jim go farther and farther down the river they inch closer and closer to danger.

Not only does the river symbolize freedom, but the water itself symbolizes something. The water is constantly moving so the water is never in the in one place for a long time. This is saying that Huck and Jim are never in one place long enough to be tied down, penalized and they won't be pinned down by sets of rules.

Then there is the bank and the land off of the Mississippi River. The bank and the land and anything that has to do remotely with the land symbolizes the real world and all of the dangers that come with it. Huck and Jim try to avoid the bank of the river and the land as much as possible because every time they do something goes wrong. Also whenever Huck and Jim go to the land danger comes to them in ways that could get them caught or puts them in situations that can almost kill them.

The raft that Huck and Jim are on also represented something. The raft symbolizes a way to freedom and hope for Huckleberry and Jim. Their raft also represents a safe place and a home for Huck and Jim. Also the raft symbolizes peace of mind for them because nobody is telling Huck what to do and Jim is not a slave on the raft. Huckleberry and Jim can just be normal people on their raft.