Some of these similarities can be found on the surface. The town of Huckleberry Finn, while unnamed in the story, is really the Missouri town of Hannibal, or at least based on the town of Hannibal, where Mark Twain grew up. Huck's adventures with Tom are somewhat based on Twain's childhood adventures with his own friends. Twain as a child lived in a family which owned slaves, thus the slave Jim could have been derived from his own experiences. The novel is as much Huck's story, as it is Mark Twain's.
Not only does Mark Twain's experiences influence the story, but as well, his own beliefs influence the story. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn addresses many significant issues in society, including religion, racism, and politics. Through the novel, Twain is able to relate his own thoughts into the story. The senseless racism and anger of Huck's father shows Twain's criticism towards the acts. Mark Twain pokes fun at religion through the differences between the strict religious Miss Watson, and the atheistic loosely moral-led Huck. Twain also addresses some of the ironies of political thought at that time, an example being the contrast of Huck's alcoholic father, whose political rights are guaranteed, and the free, educated African Americans in Missouri, who have to fight for their political rights. All of these points in the story come directly from Mark Twain, whose beliefs reign significant even today.
A novel is an extension of an author, its purpose is to bring the author's imagination, beliefs, and thoughts to life, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is no different, being an extension of Mark Twain himself.
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I agree with and liked how you tied together the facts of Mark Twain's childhood with Huck Finn's. It makes me think that Mark and Huck are the same person. Your post made me realize how many aspects of Mark's childhood go with the beliefs, setting, etc. in Huck's story.
ReplyDeleteThis was a perfect post except the title made me believe that it wasn't going to be that well done. I am glad that I gave you the benefit of the doubt. I am amazed at how much detail and thought went into this extremely informational post. Well done!
ReplyDeleteMark Twain was a swell guy, indeed. I like how he was born in Missouri, its pretty interesting because you can imagine the geographic area he grew up in. He was a great author and you mentioned that he tied in some of his childhood adventures in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I found this very cool, i did notice this throughout reading this novel, after watching the documentary on his life is when it really sunk it.
ReplyDeleteMark Twain was indeed a swell guy. I like how you connected the events of the book and Twain's own life. I found it very interesting that Twain made many references to his childhood throughout the novel.
ReplyDeleteA very swell guy indeed, I would have to agree. And also great work just on the simple post itself, I personally don't have the privilege of reading a biography from someone who has a more intellectual apparatus like myself.
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