Sssasasa

Monisha Kaur

English 11 Thomas

13 November 2012 Symbolic Importance of the Mississippi River

When you picture a river in your mind, you imagine it flowing peacefully without any worries. Well this is exactly how Huck Finn and Jim, a runaway slave, felt when they were traveling on the Mississippi River. The river was an escape from harsh life, they both felt free on the raft. Huck and Jim also state that the Mississippi River gives peace between the hectic adventures they experience. Huck would not really have any fun if it was not for the smooth river. In the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, the Mississippi River symbolizes freedom, peace, and adventure for Jim and Huck. Huck Finn and Jim enjoy every moment of traveling down the Mississippi River because it helps Jim closer to freedom, and Huck to freedom from his abusive father. Huck mentions in the book that the river was always a good time and they did not have anyone interfering with their freedom while on the raft. “We said there weren’t no home like a raft, after all, other places seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.” (Twain 107). He says this because the river was key to their freedom, and without it they would not have a route for transportation. In addition, Jim and Huck also both feel that the Mississippi River gives them some relief from the problems they face back home. Considering all the factors discussed, the river provides Huckleberry Finn and Jim a getaway from a confined life to a free life. The soothing stream gives the pair harmony and friendship, Jim and Huck become alleviated whenever they are on the river. The river renders several instances of peace between the distressing adventures they go through. “It was the raft, and mighty glad was we to get aboard of it again.” (Twain 67). Many complications arise in Huck and Jim’s adventures, however the river always seem to calm the two down. When Jim is almost caught by some townspeople, Huck and Jim hide and start heading to the river. It gave them an escape from major problems, it was like their hiding place. The Mississippi River was a easeful ride for Huck and Jim, they believed it brought peace and a sense of relaxation. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Twain, Huck and Jim use the Mississippi River as a pathway for exciting adventures. Without the river, they could not have even gone anywhere and experience all that they did. “I wished I hadn’t ever come ashore that night, to see such things.” (Twain 94). Huck Finn had an encounter with people known as the Grangerfords. The Grangerfords were long time enemies with the Shepardsons. Huck watches the shootings between the two families, and is sick to his stomach when he sees such violence. If the river was never available, Huck would not have been exposed to this new experience. Mark Twain teaches us that Huck and Jim are released into the reality of society and they could not have endured their journey without the raft. On the whole, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written by Mark Twain showed us that the Mississippi River provided Huck and Jim free will, serenity, and a whole new escapade. The river is very important because it plays a big part in being free, away from the unfair rules of society. It also gives Huck and Jim another outlook on life, as well as peace and safety. The symbolism of the river gives us the understanding that American life in the 19th century was difficult. Would you be able to overcome all the struggles Huck and Jim coped with?

Kaur