Huckleberry Finn- analyzing Mark Twain's use of syntax and theme

Ian Armstrong
Stroeve
English 3H, Period 1
3 November 2013

“Deviation from nature is deviation from happiness” (Samuel Johnson). According to nature, what happens to man is 'natural', whereas society restricts man of his innate being. Man is born pure and through society he becomes corrupt. In this short passage from Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain’s use of syntax and sensory imagery highlights how life on the shore reflects the faults of society and human nature, whereas life on the river reflects the beauty of inner mortality and nature itself. Twain’s use of short sentences in both visual and auditory imagery reveal the corruptness that society inflicts upon human nature. First, Twain characterizes the shore as a place for hostility. As Huck gazed down upon the Grangerford’s feud, “Buck began to cry and rip” (Twain p.1) over the deaths of his father and two brothers, when all of a sudden “bang! bang! bang!” (Twain p.2) went the Shepherdson’s rifles, aimed right towards them. Here, Twain’s use of auditory imagery and onomatopoeia highlight how society alters man’s natural state of being. As shown in the passage, the deaths of these humans reveal how man’s hostility and corruptness is indefinite when decreed by societal rule. Second, Twain symbolizes the shore as man’s natural restraint and limitations. Spotting Buck’s dead corpse floating down the river, Huck stated; “He made me so sick I most fell out of the tree” (Twain p.2) soon following with “I ain’t ever going to get shut of them” (Twain p.2). Here, Twain’s use of visual imagery and syntax reflect how society restrains man from his natural being. Huck could not stand seeing any more of the massacre, for this corrupt society is too much for him to bear. Twain’s use of long, descriptive sentences and sensory imagery reflect the natural beauty of human morality and nature. First, Twain characterizes the river as the inner beauty and morality of man. As Huck floats along the peaceful river, he states that there was “Not a sound anywhere” (Twain p.4), for when looking into the distance, “there wasn’t black anymore but just grey” (Twain p.4). Here, Twain’s use of visual and auditory imagery reflect nature’s state of perfection and bliss. The pure, un-alteration of human morality through nature is conceded through the perfect setting of the Mississippi River. Second, Twain symbolizes the river as nature’s constant state of perfection. Huck, encompassing the full beauty of his experience on the river, states as “so cool and fresh and sweet to smell” (Twain p.4) while listening to the “songbirds just going at it” (Twain p.4). Here, Twain’s use of sensory imagery and descriptive writing show how man is in a constant intimacy with nature. He is not only a dweller, but also alters nature through his adaptions among society. In Conclusion, Twain’s use of syntax and sensory imagery highlights how life on the shore reflects the faults of society and human nature, whereas life on the river reflects the beauty of inner mortality and nature itself. Twain suggests that civilization corrupts, rather than improves. Society’s influence on human morality is indefinite, as absolute morality requires the belief in that certain actions are deemed wrong or evil, even though the consequences of that action may benefit someone or society in general. While many see the necessity of society, it is a certainty that they value its importance differently.