Huckleberry Finn Civilized Analysis
The themes of society and of being civilized are ever-present in Mark Twains “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. Taking place in the late 1830s, positions concerning social structure and political correctness are in stark contrast to those held today. With this in mind, it makes it difficult to determine which character would be considered the most “civilized”.
By today’s social standards, being civilized means treating those around you with respect regardless of race, gender, or religion. By these standards, the most civil characters in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” would be Huck and Jim. However, if one were to base such a question on the acceptable social conduct of the 1830s, with its fixed social structure and racial hierarchy,
then the answer would be The Widow Douglas and a majority of the common townsfolk that Huck and Jim meet on their adventures.
This raises the question of what a society is and what it takes for one to be considered civilized. The Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines society as “people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values.” Although this definition depicts society as an entity created by the people as a whole, it is often simply created by a collective of individuals with power. The only times when change truly comes from the people is when they become fed up with political hierarchy to the point of revolt.
With this in mind, if one were to compare the lives of those who Huck and Jim meet while on the river with the lives of those who they meet while in land, it would be impossible. Society and the concept of being civilized are both abstract ideas created by humans to maintain order. With different groups of people come different experiences and ideals. imagine comparing two cultures, one is void of technology and teaches to live in harmony with nature and with each other. The second is extremely technologically advanced, with the ability to extend lifespans and travel the stars but, are bloodthirsty warmongers. If the question of who is the more civil arises, the answer relies solely on the prejudice of the individual being asked. Though not as extreme, the same principle applies to those who Huck and Jim meet on and off the river.
By today’s social standards, being civilized means treating those around you with respect regardless of race, gender, or religion. By these standards, the most civil characters in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” would be Huck and Jim. However, if one were to base such a question on the acceptable social conduct of the 1830s, with its fixed social structure and racial hierarchy,
then the answer would be The Widow Douglas and a majority of the common townsfolk that Huck and Jim meet on their adventures.
This raises the question of what a society is and what it takes for one to be considered civilized. The Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines society as “people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values.” Although this definition depicts society as an entity created by the people as a whole, it is often simply created by a collective of individuals with power. The only times when change truly comes from the people is when they become fed up with political hierarchy to the point of revolt.
With this in mind, if one were to compare the lives of those who Huck and Jim meet while on the river with the lives of those who they meet while in land, it would be impossible. Society and the concept of being civilized are both abstract ideas created by humans to maintain order. With different groups of people come different experiences and ideals. imagine comparing two cultures, one is void of technology and teaches to live in harmony with nature and with each other. The second is extremely technologically advanced, with the ability to extend lifespans and travel the stars but, are bloodthirsty warmongers. If the question of who is the more civil arises, the answer relies solely on the prejudice of the individual being asked. Though not as extreme, the same principle applies to those who Huck and Jim meet on and off the river.