Is Huck Finn A Hero

Can a person be ignorant but a hero as well? Or are those two words that shouldn't even be in the same sentence? If someone were asked the characteristics a hero should have they would give the typical qualities; intelligence, strength, determination, athleticism, leadership, etc. But does an individual truly have to have these abilities to be a hero? Many would argue yes but in the case of Huckleberry Finn, not so much. Huckleberry Finn is an uneducated, nonreligious, poor, below average, boy but still takes on the role of a hero in the “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” even though he doesn't have the typical qualities of a hero. Although Huck Finn has these adverse qualities, he still makes the perfect narrator and hero for the story by having
“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” are told in first person therefore giving a more personal narrative coming from Huck and having a greater impact on the reader. Since this personalization is applied to the story it shows just how wild Huck's life is. From being kidnapped by his own father, to staging his own death, it all makes up for one adventures tale. The literal thinking that comes from Huck lets him tell the story in a very literal way. Huck shows that he does not have very much imagination as the story goes along. This makes the story go straight to the point rather than having any form of cognitive or comprehensive thinking coming from the narrator. Considering Huck is a more basic person he seems to have a large amount of loyalty Therefore, Huck Finn makes the perfect hero for the story because of the loyalty he has for someone who is even a slave. When Huck finds Jim on the island he asks asks Jim why he is there and Jim replies “Maybe I better not tell.”(Twain, pg. 131) then Huck says that he won't tell anyone so Jim says “Well, I b'lieve you, Huck. I run off.” (Twain, pg. 131). So even though Huck knows this information about Jim he still keeps to himself and doesn't turn the slave in. Huck has the good morals to follow what he thinks is right. This ties into Huck having untypical values compared to the rest of
Huck can not read nor write which applies to giving him the title of an admirable hero and fit author. Because of Huck's ignorance in the story it lets him tell the story in his own view without having to be influenced by adults or a school system. It lets the story be told without being effected by the typical opinion of society. So in conclusion, Huck makes an effective narrator and admirable hero by being ignorant of society. Huck is not influenced by a public education system or by any parental figure. Huck doesn't follow the norms or values of society like valuing money or having a discriminating opinion of a race like African American slaves. The loyalty that Huck has for the people he finds close to him is also one of his heroic qualities. The series of events in Huck's life are also what make the novel such an adventures tale. This all adds up to what makes Huck such a beneficial narrator and hero for this