Initial Thoughts on Adventures of Huck Finn

Why Read Huck Finn Twain pulled off a rare literary feat—he created stories, novels, and essays that were both wildly popular in his own day and models of wit and skill more than a century later. Twain was so influential that fifty years after his death, Ernest Hemingway said that “all American literature begins” with Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Twain’s novels, such as Tom Sawyer (1876) and Huckleberry Finn (1884), were unlike any books the world had ever seen. At a time when most American writers were copying European novelists, Twain wrote about American themes. His heroes were dirt-poor and plain-spoken, but in Twain’s hands, their moral choices had as much drama as those of any tormented aristocrat in a European novel.

Clever PLOT The plot consists of numerous events, each of which is a very short story by itself. (Critics often complain that Twain wandered with the plot and occasionally needed to rely on coincidence to make things work out. Although this may be valid in some cases, it doesn't diminish the story's appeal and many strengths.)

Powerful Contrasts Huck Tom Slavery Freedom Black White Educated------Uneducated Wealthy Poor Truth Lies Water Land

Huck’s Basic Goodness Although he has faults, he is willing to go against his society to help Jim.

Use of Dialect Much of the humor in Twain’s writing comes from his colorful uses Of language. Twain was a master at re-creating regional dialect —language specific to a particular area of the country.

Twain’s Use of Irony Twain frequently uses irony to give his opinions on the behavior of people. A good example is Huck's belief in the values of his society. He has been taught that slavery is right, and feels that it is wrong for him to help Jim. Yet he helps Jim anyway and accepts Jim as an individual.

History has not exaggerated Twain’s legacy. He was the first, and possibly the greatest, authentically American writer.