Huckleberry ‘Huck’ Finn is the protagonist of Mark Twain’s novel, Huckleberry Finn. The character Huckleberry Finn first appeared in Twain’s earlier work, Tom Sawyer; however, Huck himself claims that he does not recollect this (Twain 21). Huckleberry Finn has numerous different character traits throughout the novel. Huckleberry Finn is an orphan, and has run away from his violent father several times before. Huckleberry Finn was born in the town of Florida, Monroe County, Missouri (Twain 1).
Huckleberry’s mother died when he was young and later on Huckleberry’s father began to drink heavily and would frequently beat both Huckleberry and Huckleberry’s half-brother, Ben Rogers (Lundquist 3). Huckleberry and Ben then ran away together but were separated at some point; Huckleberry never saw him again. Hucklebury Finn claims to be a very moral person despite all of the crimes he commits during the course of the novel. Huck is described by Twain as one who “was always respectful to [his] father” and “never had a fight with a schoolmate… [and] never played truant… [and Huckleberry] was always truthful” (Twain 1).
Huckleberry Finn tells many lies throughout the novel, but he usually claims to do so for moral purposes. Huckleberry Finn is extremely loyal, especially to Jim who Huck describes as his best friend. Huckleberry Finn also shows how kind-hearted he is through his treatment of an injured black man named Jim in Chapter 17 of Huckleberry Finn. Huck claims that “the widow Douglas is the best friend I’ve got on earth” (Twain 23). The Widow Douglas takes Huckleberry in soon after Hucklebury meets Tom Sawyer. Huckleberry Finn describes the widow Douglas as “the best woman I ever see” (Twain 17).
Huckleberry Finn has a very close relationship with the Widow Douglas, who Huckleberry greatly admires for her behavior and morals. Huckleberry Finn also claims to have once run away from home by stealing a fifteen-dollar gold piece that his dead mother’s sister gave him, but then later admits that he had actually buried it in hopes of saving it (Lundquist 3). Huck had thought about using this money to purchase freedom for Jim; however, Huckleberry changed his mind after thinking about how disappointed the widow Douglas would be if she found out what Huckleberry did (Lundquist 3).
Huckleberry Finn is an anti-hero. Huckleberry Finn can be described as brave, kindhearted, and likable, but he also has his flaws. Despite Huckleberry Finn’s good qualities (bravery, kindness) there are many negative attributes of Huckleberry Finn that make him an anti-hero. Huckleberry Finn is very brave and resourceful when it comes to helping Jim escape slavery; Huck even goes so far as to fake his own death using a dead slave body in order to escape the men he believes are chasing after them because they think that he helped Jim escape.
Huckleberry Finn is also brave when he decides to tell the truth about his father and Injun Joe murdering Dr. Robinson, knowing that it may cost him his life as well as the ones he loves. Huckleberry Finn’s bravery is a very admirable quality. Huckleberry Finn has a kind heart which shows through in multiple occasions throughout Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn tries to be a friend to everyone no matter how much they may hate him or display negative qualities towards Huckleberry Finn such as Injun Joe who tried three times to kill Huck during their adventure down the Mississippi together.
Huckleberry Finn even takes care of two abandoned children from different races at one point because they reminded him of his own childhood and Huckleberry Finn felt bad for them because their father was hanged without anyone to care for them. Although Huckleberry Finn cares very much about others, Huckleberry Finn does not care too much for himself; Huckleberry Finn could be described as lacking self-respect.
Huckleberry Finn does not seem to ever think of the consequences before acting which harm Huckleberry Finn later in life such as when Huckleberry Finn breaks up a couple that was going to get married right before Huckleberry Finn runs off with Jim on the raft and leaves behind about $700 dollars worth of money and goods including a slave woman and her children. Another example is after Tom Sawyer’s funeral when Huck makes everyone swear to not say anything about seeing Huckleberry Finn at the funeral for fear of being charged with murder by Injun Joe.
Huckleberry Finn does not seem to show any regard or respect for himself which is shown further later in Huckleberry Finn when Huckleberry Finn allows Tom Sawyer to trick Huckleberry Finn into marrying an old woman without Huckleberry Finn ever knowing the true identity of who he was being married too until it was too late, although Huckleberry Finn did have a good time playing his music. Huckleberry Finn can be thought of as quite likable and his adventures would be considered fun and exciting because he is always getting into some sort of mischief. His selflessness and caring nature also makes Huckleberry Finn quite likable.
Huckleberry Finn’s flaws such as lack of respect for himself and the law along with Huckleberry Finn’s bravery which may have landed Huckleberry Finn in danger more times than he would have been if Huckleberry Finn was not so brave, make Huckleberry Finn a very interesting character to read about. Overall Mark Twain did a good job making Huckleberry Finn an anti-hero by showing Huckleberry Finn’s flaws that can be considered negative while at the same time having positive traits that are admirable, which leaves readers debating whether or not Hucks’ characteristics should be praised or condemned.
Huckleberry Finn often talks to himself and the reader as he does so. Huckleberry’s speech and dialogue are influenced and unique and represent views of different classes, gender, regional dialects, and races throughout the novel. Huckleberry Finn has been said to be the “first anti-hero” because his main goal in life seems to be escaping from those who try to help him, as well as taking care of himself without anyone’s assistance.
Huck seems to have little or no interest in being moral though he knows it is right. Hucks acts this way because Hucks is ignorant and uneducated. Huckleberry Finn is uneducated throughout most of the novel. Hucks doesn’t even attend school so Hucks does not know how to read, write, or do arithmetic. Huck has been raised by Pap who Huck describes as a violent man that drinks too much and beats Huckleberry regularly for no reason at all. Hucks idolizes Pap though he admits to disliking him. Hucks character trait of being gullible also contributes to his ignorance in knowing right from wrong. Huck’s views on race are often contradictory to societies views during this time period though Hucks expresses them multiple times in the novel.
