Individuality In Huckleberry Finn

Are choices ours to make?

Are the decisions you make truly your own or are your very thoughts tainted by an outside influence? In today’s world, with increased susceptibility to others’ ideas, external pressures are continually shaping our opinions. Whether it is from our parents, teachers, or friends, the obligation to conform to others’ beliefs is a constant burden. In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck Finn, a morally conflicted character, constantly experiences intense internal struggle as his innate instinct to conform directly clashes with his developing sense of individuality. Throughout the novel, the balance of these two inner forces are gradually questioned, challenged, and then ultimately restored upon Huck’s
Although Huck demonstrates moments of initial questioning of societal rules he never acts upon them. Rather, he is always compliantly conforming due to the deep-rooted influence of society on his beliefs, morals and decisions. From the very beginning of the novel, Huck Finn reveals two aspects of himself, one part that wishes to be free and doing as he pleases, and the other that follows instinct to do the socially acceptable thing. With the coexistence of these two aspects, Huck experiences confusion, that at the beginning, results in primary doubt followed by subsequent conformity. We see that Huck is in fact at odds with the society that he is currently living in, but is too hesitant to actually challenge the different attributes of southern culture he has grown up with. When the story opens Huck is living with the Widow Douglas and her sister Miss Watson, who both attempt to sway Huck to embrace the ‘proper’ part of society.
Similarly to the Widow and Miss Watson, Tom represents yet another societal influence acting on Huck. However, Tom’s influence on Huck is to act ‘by the books’ as ‘those have done before him’. Tom is primarily driven by his curiosity and lust for adventure, a quality that Huck greatly looks up to. He will do practically anything if it parallels something he has seen or read in literature. His opinion is especially highlighted when he is talking to the boys in the cave about ransoming people, “I don’t know. But that’s what they do. I’ve seen it in books; and so of course that’s what we’ve got to do” (19). Huck’s interaction with Tom echoes his relationship with the widow. Huck does harbor initial questioning when given the choice to participate in his schemes but eventually follows because Huck feels this draw to comply with Tom. For instance, When Huck and Tom sneak out together in the middle of the night; they are almost caught by Jim, so Tom advocates playing a trick on him. Huck knows that it’s wrong to do so, however, he agrees saying, “I didn’t want him to try I said Jim might wake up and come. But tom wanted to resk it; so we slid in there and god three candles” (18). Through this quote the dynamic between Huck and Tom is revealed, and subsequently the relationship between Huck and society. Tom represents