Examples Of Dialectical Journal For Huckleberry Finn

Yamini Adusumelli

Ms. Schuet

Ap English Literature, Block 4

26 August 2017

Huckleberry Finn Reading Log

Title and Author: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (pen name for Samuel Clemens)

Summary: Through the voice of Huckleberry Finn, a deep criticism of racism and civilized society’s rules is narrated to the reader as Huck and Jim, escape from civilized society and set sail on a raft down the Mississippi river to slavery-free states. Both characters share a common goal: to be free of the rules that a civilized society places. Huck and Jim form an alternative family as they head down the river along with two white adult conmen they rescued, who commit many scams . These conmen are responsible for turning Jim into a local farmer

Throughout the novel, Huck symbolizes the eternal struggle between pre-established communal expectations and moral consciences.

Jim: A runaway slave with a mission to avoid eternal separation from his family,

Throughout the novel, instances of rules trumping logic are prevalent. When Judge Thacher grants custody of Huck to Pap, he does so because Pap has the legal right, not the moral right and not considering the safety of Huck. Huck’s custody battle is aptly representative of slave treatment: slavery exists because that’s what the rules are in this civilized society, despite the inhumanity of the practice.

Organized religion is often practiced for the wrong reasons. Taken under Widow Douglas’ wing, Huckleberry Finn is fed logistics about practicing Christianity and how helping people will send him to heaven. However, Huck looks for the personal immediate gain in practicing religion, and his quest is fruitless. Likewise, when the Shepherdson and Grangerford families attend church, instead of focusing on the prayers and sermons, they let petty family arguments get in between and bring shotguns to a sacred place of worship.

Slavery leads to a loss of humanity. Being set in the height of slavery, the text heavily criticizes the institution of slavery and the business that it is. In addition to justifying their racism by viewing slaves as inferior, white civilians highly value the profit they gain from slavery, destroying slaves’ morales and freedoms in the process. As a result, the slaveholders lose sight of humanity and morality; instead, they focus on the personal gain and power they