Theme Of Heroism In Huckleberry Finn

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is thoroughly saturated by heroism through the literary characters, Huckleberry Finn and Jim. Huckleberry Finn’s hero's journey can be summarized with three key components: the call to adventure, the abyss, and the transformation. The call to adventure is when a character receives whether, internally or externally, an invitation for an adventure. The abyss is the complete downfall of the hero; this event is critical because it shows the hero’s humanity and brokenness. The transformation however is the redemption of the hero. This is the point in the story where the character, no matter their previous actions, thus redeems themselves and changes their thought process for the better. Huckleberry …show more content…

This event is Huck’s call to adventure as this moment because it represents a new, exciting, and unpredictable adventure that Huck doesn’t know he’s entering.Huck’s Abyss occurs as Jim is sold back into slavery and Huck is worried that he’ll be recognized as an Abolitionist and many will outcast him. This is demonstrated when Huck explains that Jim will tell others about him and “it would get all around that Huck Finn helped a nigger to get his freedom; and if I was ever to see anybody from that town again I’d be ready to get down and lick his boots for shame”(215). This is the complete abyss and deconstruction of Huckleberry Finn, he is overwhelming shamed that he helped a “nigger get his freedom”. The psychological battle of Huck vs Civilization has been clearly won by civilization because Huck is willing to renounce his only friend in order that society would accept him. Huckleberry Finn is ashamed to be labeled as an abolitionist and is willing to forgo his own beliefs and his only friend in order to be accepted.Huck’s transformation is the pinnacle point of the novel. Jim is appearing to be sold by Dauphin and Huck has lost all hope. He is feeling guilty because he sinned and stole someone's “property,”thus he writes a letter exemplifying where Jim is and who owns him at the moment to Dauphin. He writes this letter in order to be able to pray because Huck is feeling very alone and he feels that God is the only one with him. Huck reflects on the written …show more content…

Huck’s call occurs when his father forces him to go to the cabin and Huck fakes his death, thus creating a new exciting life for himself. Consequently, Huckleberry’s abyss transpires when Jim is sold back into slavery and Huck considers his past friendship with Jim as a mistake and is worried he’ll be shamed for his actions. However, Huck redeems himself when he rips up the letter sent to Dauphin and decides that he would rather spend eternity in Hell then abandon