Huck Finn Essay

Mark Twain incorporates humor in Huck's moral and emotional response to his actions regarding helping Jim escape. Instead of feeling heroic, triumphant, and accomplished, Huck felt “bad and low” because he knew he “had done wrong.” Huck sincerely feels guilt for his actions that could be considered courageous and admirable. Twain expresses his intent to display on the ironic nature of this situation, that becomes humorous to read.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published in 1884. During this time slavery was common and blacks were considered inhuman. In some aspects, Twain reveals the culture and societal expectations of black people at this time. Huck Finn has learned these characteristics throughout his lifetime, and thinks he may have “done right and give Jim up.” However, this is not Twain's central claim. He wants to show that Huck did the right thing by helping Jim escape from runaway-slave catchers.

It is humorous that Huck experiences immense guilt and tells himself if he had give Jim up “would you feel better than what you do now?” The serious nature that Huck addresses his moral dilemma is nothing short of comical. He analyzes his moral judgment in such a way that could be considered irrational. He notes that “it's troublesome to do right” and “ain't no trouble to do wrong.” This whimsical outlook on life is optimistic is a self and was intended to bring a smile to the readers face. Of course, the easy was isn't always the best way, but Huck concludes that it is the better choice. He says that “both wages (are) just the same.” By making trouble before one does right, he would support that you might as well make trouble after doing something wrong, because it is ultimately the same concept.

Huck's final verdict that that he should all together “bother no more about it” and make decisions based on what is “handiest at the time.” Twain establishes Huck's humorous character throughout the passage by revealing his inner-most thoughts in regard to the “bad” thing he has done. This is most humorous because Huck makes an elaborate description of his guilt and moral understanding only to come to a reasoning that only brings him to the beginning of a continual loop, leaving the reader smiling and saying “Oh, Huck Finn.”