In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one of the main themes is freedom. It can mean a lot of different things, especially to Jim and Huckleberry. It seems to portray a different perspective to each character in the novel. Jim wants to escape slavery, while Huck wants to get out of the civilized world.
From the beginning of the novel, Jim's life is being a slave. When Mrs. Watson was talking about selling him down in New Orleans, he is terrified and runs from slavery and escaping the suspicion that he was Huck's murderer. Throughout the book, Jim's excitement is obvious. To me, it was evident that the theme is most important to Jim than to anybody else. The fact that he was a slave set boundaries on Jim's life which held back his happiness and ability to set goals. The only way he could achieve such goals is through freedom.
All throughout the novel, Huck talks about being restricted. The reason he ran away was so that he could avoid this feeling of confinement with the Widow and his very own father. Huck, being and adventurous boy, is bound by the walls of his home as they serve somewhat as a jail. They get in his way of life. His main goal is to lead to the existence of an unrestricted life.
Some similarities also appear in both characters outlook on freedom. An important one is the urge to escape from society. Mrs. Watson's strict rules and ways of civilization force Huck to "become one" with society which drives him to desire a an uncivilized lifestyle. As a slave, Jim is not treated equally by society so he wished for and unrestricted life just like Huck. They both try to escape in pleasure and comfort.
I think that Mark Twain was not only trying to entertain readers with a satisfying story, but trying to incorporate history into the novel as well. Not only were Jim and Huck striving for freedom, but real-world society was too. At his time, society was struggling with freedom from the war and slavery which were big issues at the time. So not only was the theme relevant in Huck's life, but as well as Huck's society.
From the beginning of the novel, Jim's life is being a slave. When Mrs. Watson was talking about selling him down in New Orleans, he is terrified and runs from slavery and escaping the suspicion that he was Huck's murderer. Throughout the book, Jim's excitement is obvious. To me, it was evident that the theme is most important to Jim than to anybody else. The fact that he was a slave set boundaries on Jim's life which held back his happiness and ability to set goals. The only way he could achieve such goals is through freedom.
All throughout the novel, Huck talks about being restricted. The reason he ran away was so that he could avoid this feeling of confinement with the Widow and his very own father. Huck, being and adventurous boy, is bound by the walls of his home as they serve somewhat as a jail. They get in his way of life. His main goal is to lead to the existence of an unrestricted life.
Some similarities also appear in both characters outlook on freedom. An important one is the urge to escape from society. Mrs. Watson's strict rules and ways of civilization force Huck to "become one" with society which drives him to desire a an uncivilized lifestyle. As a slave, Jim is not treated equally by society so he wished for and unrestricted life just like Huck. They both try to escape in pleasure and comfort.
I think that Mark Twain was not only trying to entertain readers with a satisfying story, but trying to incorporate history into the novel as well. Not only were Jim and Huck striving for freedom, but real-world society was too. At his time, society was struggling with freedom from the war and slavery which were big issues at the time. So not only was the theme relevant in Huck's life, but as well as Huck's society.