The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Huckleberry Finn
The character I believe to be the most ironic is Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain makes Huck out to be an idle, vulgar child who was not a good influence on the town’s children. However, as the story progresses, it is discovered that this description is quite ironic because Huck is not really this way on the inside.
When Huckleberry Finn is first introduced, he is described as “idle and lawless and vulgar and bad” (pg. 42). Twain uses this language to display what a rough boy Huck is. Huck’s father was also a drunk who was not respected by anyone in the town. Because of this, the town all must’ve believed Huck would turn out this way also, which caused Huck to be an outcast; the adults did not want their children hanging around a soon-to-be alcoholic, in case it had a bad influence on them. Contrary to this description, it is discovered throughout the story that Huck is not such a horrible boy; he is quite like any other boy, such as Tom or Joe Harper. Huck just wanted to be able to have fun and live a carefree life. When the three boys run away to be pirates, Huck had the most enjoyable time. It wasn’t because pirates are usually thought of as evil; but because he could leave all the judgment behind him and be thought of as an equal to his friends. Huck didn’t want to be thought of as bad or lawless; ironically, he just wanted to be equal to his friends.
When the boys were off being pirates, Joe Harper got homesick and wanted to leave Jackson Island. Tom was outraged at this turn of events and turned to Huck for support. One would think that, because of his reputation, Huck would back Tom up and be tough and forceful. This is assumed because Huck was described as an outcast and someone the boys looked up to as strong and cool. Ironically, Huck sides with Joe and ashamed, admits he wants to go home. This is not expected because Huck has little to go home to. Between Tom and Huck, it is assumed that Tom would rather go home because he has a life off the island,
When Huckleberry Finn is first introduced, he is described as “idle and lawless and vulgar and bad” (pg. 42). Twain uses this language to display what a rough boy Huck is. Huck’s father was also a drunk who was not respected by anyone in the town. Because of this, the town all must’ve believed Huck would turn out this way also, which caused Huck to be an outcast; the adults did not want their children hanging around a soon-to-be alcoholic, in case it had a bad influence on them. Contrary to this description, it is discovered throughout the story that Huck is not such a horrible boy; he is quite like any other boy, such as Tom or Joe Harper. Huck just wanted to be able to have fun and live a carefree life. When the three boys run away to be pirates, Huck had the most enjoyable time. It wasn’t because pirates are usually thought of as evil; but because he could leave all the judgment behind him and be thought of as an equal to his friends. Huck didn’t want to be thought of as bad or lawless; ironically, he just wanted to be equal to his friends.
When the boys were off being pirates, Joe Harper got homesick and wanted to leave Jackson Island. Tom was outraged at this turn of events and turned to Huck for support. One would think that, because of his reputation, Huck would back Tom up and be tough and forceful. This is assumed because Huck was described as an outcast and someone the boys looked up to as strong and cool. Ironically, Huck sides with Joe and ashamed, admits he wants to go home. This is not expected because Huck has little to go home to. Between Tom and Huck, it is assumed that Tom would rather go home because he has a life off the island,