Huckleberry Finn Theme Essay

The theme of struggling to follow one’s conscience is heavily stressed throughout the novel. “It most froze me...He’s white.” (Twain 92-93). Besides the theme making its appearance when Huck and Jim steal food, or when they decide to pretend that the two rascals are truly the duke and a king, the theme reappears in Huck’s decision to help Jim escape. At times, Huck is confident that he will help Jim be free, but he still feels guilty that he is harming Miss Watson by stealing “her” slave. In addition, he castigates himself, even more, when he learns that Jim will try to steal his children back. Twain weaves the struggle of following one’s conscience as one of the primary themes. The central theme can be contemplated through the battle between
In addition, every time that Huck and Jim approach civilization, terrible incidents occur. Whether they become conflicted in a disagreement, joined by tricksters, or nearly caught, civilization never brings much happiness to either Huck or Jim. Twain repeatedly emphasizes the hypocrisy of society, which proclaims to be more “civilized" than Huck or Jim, forcing Huck to despise it even more. Religious hypocrisy is another theme that is widely spread throughout the novel. In one town that Huck and Jim arrive at, both go to the house of the Grangerford’s. Within the Grangerford’s house is bibles and art work of family members, symbolizing how the Grangerford’s are religious, family people. Contrary to the Grangerford’s supposed religious beliefs, the family is in a battle with the neighboring family, the Shepherdsons. While attending a church sermon about “brotherly love”, both families bring along guns. Twain shows how many families are only pretenders when it comes to believing in religious values. Pretending to be religious is simple, and Twain shows how people use religion at convenient times, rather than truly believing in religion’s