Bildungsroman Genre: Huckleberry Finn's Personal Journey
Who Is Huckleberry Finn?
Who is Huckleberry Finn? At the beginning of Mark Twain’s novel, Huckleberry Finn, he seems to be a stereotypical child from the early 1800’s, living the carefree life of a young adolescent boy. But upon closer inspection, Huck is actually a character with complexities and major personal changes experienced throughout the novel. The “personal-journey” structure that is necessary for Huck’s transformation is a characteristic of the bildungsroman genre, which according to Suzanne Hader, author of The Bildungsroman Genre: Great Expectations, Aurora Leigh, and Waterland, is a story of a single individuals growth and development within the context of defined social order (Hader 1). The reality of …show more content…
Huck’s own social order is one of racism, abuse, and hypocrisy. With this foundation he grows up indifferent and uninterested towards the social systems within that society. But through the process of self-discovery (Hader 1), which is present in the bildungsroman genre, Huck grows to develop his own opinion on the ways of the world around him. Following the many characteristics of the bildungsroman genre, Mark Twain’s novel, Huckleberry Finn, displays a personal transformation in regards to Huck’s attitude towards societal codes-specifically those involving African-Americans- Jim, and his own personal code of morals. The society of Huck’s time was a complicated web of codes and unwritten rules, especially when applied to African- Americans. It was acceptable to burn a dog, but unthinkable to respect a black man. As witnessed through Pap’s drunken exclamation, “Thinks I, what is the world a-comin to? (Twain 27)”, simply over a black man’s right to vote, one can see the type of atmosphere Huck is in. It was environment that not only encouraged prejudices and racism, but fully allowed slavery and the dehumanization of the African-American race. At the beginning of the novel, Huck often refers to Jim, Miss Watson’s slave, as my old Jim (Twain 108). This simple yet powerful statement reflects the racist views of the Southern society- one built on prejudice that young people, such as Huck, never though to question. Huck’s indifferent approach to societal issues is shaken, though, when he began the journey to freedom with Jim. Following the bildungsroman genre, Huck’s process of discovery consists of repeated clashes between the protagonist’s (Huck’s) needs and desires and the views enforced by an unbending social order (Hader 1); that is, Huck’s realization of the humanity of Jim blatantly objects to the beliefs of the vast Southern population. Huck begins to come to this realization after going through multiple situations in which Jim continually discredits the stereotype of African-Americans; Jim’s loyalty and kindness, among other upright qualities, help to show Huck the wrongness of society. This newfound respect for Jim and other African-Americans is perfectly summarized in Huck’s later thoughts- “He was a mighty good n*****, Jim was (Twain 150)” and “I knowed he was white on the inside…(Twain 271).” While both quotes still show the stain of years of prejudice, Huck has overcome a deformed conscience to become respecting of African-American people. As Huck began to see past the traditional prejudices of society, he was able to see Jim as a real person. At the beginning of the novel, Huck sees Jim as a piece of property- someone to be tricked and teased (Catey 1). This belief, which had been an unquestionable part of Huck’s life thus far, made it difficult for Huck to truly accept Jim as a human being. For a long while, Huck feels as if he is sinning against everything he has ever been taught by helping Jim (Catey 1). Huck’s intense guilt led many, including the book, Huck Finn: A Teacher’s Guide, to believe that Huck finally apologizing to Jim is actually the climax of Huckleberry Finn. Huck states:
It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a n*****; but I done it, and I warn’t ever sorry for it afterward neither. I didn’t do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that if I’d ‘a’ knowed it would make him feel that way (Twain 84).
That passage displays just how far Huck has grown in his maturity up to that point. This moment, and a situation involving writing a letter to Miss Watson concerning Jim, are two very key roles in Huck’s process of maturity that he is undertaking. When writing the letter, Huck decides that he would rather help Jim to freedom, regardless of the moral and social repercussions. Huck is willing to sacrifice his soul for Jim’s freedom, showing a tremendous amount of personal growth (Smith 7).
In both of these situations, Huck consciously makes a choice to respect and care for Jim as another human being; previously, Huck was scarcely aware of Huck’s humanity (Gailey 1). Huck apologizing and deliberately choosing to go to hell for Jim are important instances of Huck listening to his sound heart rather than his deformed conscience (Will 1). Throughout the beginning of the novel, Huck does indeed treat Jim like property- he plays tricks on him and allows Tom Sawyer to do the same. One sees the effects of an immoral society and up bringing through Huck’s treatment of Jim at that time. But through their journey together, Huck’s growing recognition of Jim’s dignity and his increased capacity to perceive Jim’s humanity and thus raise his consciousness beyond the level of racist stereotyping attest to the process of moral maturity that Huck undergoes (Galley 1). Jim goes from slave, to companion, to family, all in the course of the journey downriver. Along Huck’s journey he experiences a change in his opinion of society, specifically involving African-Americans. This was a change involving an outward factor-the codes of society. Another important change that Huck undergoes was inward- his own code of morals. As Huck’s understanding of the world grows it changes his previous beliefs. Upon meeting the duke and the king, two conmen, Huck states, “If I never learnt nothing else of Pap, I learnt that the best way to get along with his kind of people [the duke and king] is to let them have their own way (Twain 121).” His acceptance of abuse, lying, and cheating is based on his poor up bringing by Pap; the ignorance of his youth is key to his deformed conscience. His travels down the river bring with them life experiences, experiences that open Huck’s eyes to his own beliefs. The very first moment of realization for Huck comes when he is forced to flee an abusive home. According to the bildungsroman genre, some form of loss or discontent must jar the hero or heroine away from the home or family setting (Hader 1). Huck is forced to leave once he is aware of the immense immorality of Pap. This experience jolts Huck’s life from its routine and opens it up for change. Upon meeting the conmen, Huck sticks true to his pattern of indifference- he goes along with their scams in order to keep the peace, even though “their actions were enough to make a body ashamed of the human race (Twain 157).” As he sees the negative effect these “regular rapscallions” have on others, Huck has an increased awareness of his own previous actions; he begins to feel compassion and protective feelings for others, opposed to his previous attitude of self-involvement.
His worry for the steamboat robbers is an insight towards what kind of person Huck is capable of becoming. The emergence of this new person is seen in his interaction with the Wilks nieces. After the girls treat him so kindly, Huck says to himself,”…this is another one that I’m letting him rob of her money…I felt so ornery and low down and mean that I says to myself, my mind’s made up; I’ll hive that money for them or bust (Twain 169).” Not only is Huck trying to help these girls, but is acknowledging that he too is part of the plot against them and feels remorse for this. For the first time, Huck acts on his conviction and morals to help other people, rather than simply acting on his own desires (Smith 6). Huck has matured from a state of indifference to one of awareness. His actions show that his morality is expanded; one can see that he has a deeper care for …show more content…
humanity. Up until this point, Huck followed the authority of those around him…the moment Huck decides to steal the money, he breaks free of his authority (Smith 6). As Huck begins to think for himself, his thought process changes. Huck finally sees the difference between right and wrong and acts upon this. Through his maturing process, he is able to develop and put to use his own code of morals. In the beginning of the novel, Huck is a poor, simple uneducated boy.
However, by the conclusion of the novel, Huck is a crafty, intelligent, wealthy young man who simply does not care to be part of a boring middle-class lifestyle (Smith 9). Following the characteristics of the bildungsroman genre, in which the novel ends with an assessment by the protagonist of himself and his new place in society, Huck has grown in his maturity and morality. He experiences this personal growth through his journey downriver, especially because of Jim. It is on the road of trials that a person begins to experience different obstacles that will change their life forever (7). Huck ran away in order to find freedom, but through his own series of trials and obstacles he found something more valuable- himself.
Works Cited
Catey, Ann. "Conflicts in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Rep. Fall 2001. University of Illinois. 9 Feb. 2009 .
Gailey. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Notes." GPS Junior English American Literature. 9 Feb. 2009 .
"A Journey Towards Maturity and Identity." Free Essays. 21 Feb. 2009 .
Matthew, Carr. "Huck Finn: A Teacher 's Guide." PBS. 1999. Cherry Hill, New Jersey School District. 9 Feb. 2009 .
Smith, J.N. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Study Guide." GradeSaver. 1999. 21 Feb. 2009 .
Suzanne, Hader. "The Bildungsroman Genre: Great Expectations, Aurora Leigh, and Waterland." The Victorian Web. 21 Feb. 2005.
Brown University. 9 Feb. 2009 .
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York: Bantam Books, 1965.
Who is Huckleberry Finn? At the beginning of Mark Twain’s novel, Huckleberry Finn, he seems to be a stereotypical child from the early 1800’s, living the carefree life of a young adolescent boy. But upon closer inspection, Huck is actually a character with complexities and major personal changes experienced throughout the novel. The “personal-journey” structure that is necessary for Huck’s transformation is a characteristic of the bildungsroman genre, which according to Suzanne Hader, author of The Bildungsroman Genre: Great Expectations, Aurora Leigh, and Waterland, is a story of a single individuals growth and development within the context of defined social order (Hader 1). The reality of …show more content…
Huck’s own social order is one of racism, abuse, and hypocrisy. With this foundation he grows up indifferent and uninterested towards the social systems within that society. But through the process of self-discovery (Hader 1), which is present in the bildungsroman genre, Huck grows to develop his own opinion on the ways of the world around him. Following the many characteristics of the bildungsroman genre, Mark Twain’s novel, Huckleberry Finn, displays a personal transformation in regards to Huck’s attitude towards societal codes-specifically those involving African-Americans- Jim, and his own personal code of morals. The society of Huck’s time was a complicated web of codes and unwritten rules, especially when applied to African- Americans. It was acceptable to burn a dog, but unthinkable to respect a black man. As witnessed through Pap’s drunken exclamation, “Thinks I, what is the world a-comin to? (Twain 27)”, simply over a black man’s right to vote, one can see the type of atmosphere Huck is in. It was environment that not only encouraged prejudices and racism, but fully allowed slavery and the dehumanization of the African-American race. At the beginning of the novel, Huck often refers to Jim, Miss Watson’s slave, as my old Jim (Twain 108). This simple yet powerful statement reflects the racist views of the Southern society- one built on prejudice that young people, such as Huck, never though to question. Huck’s indifferent approach to societal issues is shaken, though, when he began the journey to freedom with Jim. Following the bildungsroman genre, Huck’s process of discovery consists of repeated clashes between the protagonist’s (Huck’s) needs and desires and the views enforced by an unbending social order (Hader 1); that is, Huck’s realization of the humanity of Jim blatantly objects to the beliefs of the vast Southern population. Huck begins to come to this realization after going through multiple situations in which Jim continually discredits the stereotype of African-Americans; Jim’s loyalty and kindness, among other upright qualities, help to show Huck the wrongness of society. This newfound respect for Jim and other African-Americans is perfectly summarized in Huck’s later thoughts- “He was a mighty good n*****, Jim was (Twain 150)” and “I knowed he was white on the inside…(Twain 271).” While both quotes still show the stain of years of prejudice, Huck has overcome a deformed conscience to become respecting of African-American people. As Huck began to see past the traditional prejudices of society, he was able to see Jim as a real person. At the beginning of the novel, Huck sees Jim as a piece of property- someone to be tricked and teased (Catey 1). This belief, which had been an unquestionable part of Huck’s life thus far, made it difficult for Huck to truly accept Jim as a human being. For a long while, Huck feels as if he is sinning against everything he has ever been taught by helping Jim (Catey 1). Huck’s intense guilt led many, including the book, Huck Finn: A Teacher’s Guide, to believe that Huck finally apologizing to Jim is actually the climax of Huckleberry Finn. Huck states:
It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a n*****; but I done it, and I warn’t ever sorry for it afterward neither. I didn’t do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that if I’d ‘a’ knowed it would make him feel that way (Twain 84).
That passage displays just how far Huck has grown in his maturity up to that point. This moment, and a situation involving writing a letter to Miss Watson concerning Jim, are two very key roles in Huck’s process of maturity that he is undertaking. When writing the letter, Huck decides that he would rather help Jim to freedom, regardless of the moral and social repercussions. Huck is willing to sacrifice his soul for Jim’s freedom, showing a tremendous amount of personal growth (Smith 7).
In both of these situations, Huck consciously makes a choice to respect and care for Jim as another human being; previously, Huck was scarcely aware of Huck’s humanity (Gailey 1). Huck apologizing and deliberately choosing to go to hell for Jim are important instances of Huck listening to his sound heart rather than his deformed conscience (Will 1). Throughout the beginning of the novel, Huck does indeed treat Jim like property- he plays tricks on him and allows Tom Sawyer to do the same. One sees the effects of an immoral society and up bringing through Huck’s treatment of Jim at that time. But through their journey together, Huck’s growing recognition of Jim’s dignity and his increased capacity to perceive Jim’s humanity and thus raise his consciousness beyond the level of racist stereotyping attest to the process of moral maturity that Huck undergoes (Galley 1). Jim goes from slave, to companion, to family, all in the course of the journey downriver. Along Huck’s journey he experiences a change in his opinion of society, specifically involving African-Americans. This was a change involving an outward factor-the codes of society. Another important change that Huck undergoes was inward- his own code of morals. As Huck’s understanding of the world grows it changes his previous beliefs. Upon meeting the duke and the king, two conmen, Huck states, “If I never learnt nothing else of Pap, I learnt that the best way to get along with his kind of people [the duke and king] is to let them have their own way (Twain 121).” His acceptance of abuse, lying, and cheating is based on his poor up bringing by Pap; the ignorance of his youth is key to his deformed conscience. His travels down the river bring with them life experiences, experiences that open Huck’s eyes to his own beliefs. The very first moment of realization for Huck comes when he is forced to flee an abusive home. According to the bildungsroman genre, some form of loss or discontent must jar the hero or heroine away from the home or family setting (Hader 1). Huck is forced to leave once he is aware of the immense immorality of Pap. This experience jolts Huck’s life from its routine and opens it up for change. Upon meeting the conmen, Huck sticks true to his pattern of indifference- he goes along with their scams in order to keep the peace, even though “their actions were enough to make a body ashamed of the human race (Twain 157).” As he sees the negative effect these “regular rapscallions” have on others, Huck has an increased awareness of his own previous actions; he begins to feel compassion and protective feelings for others, opposed to his previous attitude of self-involvement.
His worry for the steamboat robbers is an insight towards what kind of person Huck is capable of becoming. The emergence of this new person is seen in his interaction with the Wilks nieces. After the girls treat him so kindly, Huck says to himself,”…this is another one that I’m letting him rob of her money…I felt so ornery and low down and mean that I says to myself, my mind’s made up; I’ll hive that money for them or bust (Twain 169).” Not only is Huck trying to help these girls, but is acknowledging that he too is part of the plot against them and feels remorse for this. For the first time, Huck acts on his conviction and morals to help other people, rather than simply acting on his own desires (Smith 6). Huck has matured from a state of indifference to one of awareness. His actions show that his morality is expanded; one can see that he has a deeper care for …show more content…
humanity. Up until this point, Huck followed the authority of those around him…the moment Huck decides to steal the money, he breaks free of his authority (Smith 6). As Huck begins to think for himself, his thought process changes. Huck finally sees the difference between right and wrong and acts upon this. Through his maturing process, he is able to develop and put to use his own code of morals. In the beginning of the novel, Huck is a poor, simple uneducated boy.
However, by the conclusion of the novel, Huck is a crafty, intelligent, wealthy young man who simply does not care to be part of a boring middle-class lifestyle (Smith 9). Following the characteristics of the bildungsroman genre, in which the novel ends with an assessment by the protagonist of himself and his new place in society, Huck has grown in his maturity and morality. He experiences this personal growth through his journey downriver, especially because of Jim. It is on the road of trials that a person begins to experience different obstacles that will change their life forever (7). Huck ran away in order to find freedom, but through his own series of trials and obstacles he found something more valuable- himself.
Works Cited
Catey, Ann. "Conflicts in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Rep. Fall 2001. University of Illinois. 9 Feb. 2009 .
Gailey. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Notes." GPS Junior English American Literature. 9 Feb. 2009 .
"A Journey Towards Maturity and Identity." Free Essays. 21 Feb. 2009 .
Matthew, Carr. "Huck Finn: A Teacher 's Guide." PBS. 1999. Cherry Hill, New Jersey School District. 9 Feb. 2009 .
Smith, J.N. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Study Guide." GradeSaver. 1999. 21 Feb. 2009 .
Suzanne, Hader. "The Bildungsroman Genre: Great Expectations, Aurora Leigh, and Waterland." The Victorian Web. 21 Feb. 2005.
Brown University. 9 Feb. 2009 .
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York: Bantam Books, 1965.