Challenges to traditional authority from "summary" of Annotated Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain,Michael Patrick Hearn
Throughout the novel, Huckleberry Finn is constantly questioning and defying the traditional authority figures in his life. Whether it is his abusive father, the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson, or societal norms in general, Huck challenges the established rules and expectations placed upon him. His decision to run away from his father and embark on a journey down the Mississippi River with Jim, a runaway slave, is a direct challenge to the laws and beliefs of the time. Huck's willingness to help Jim escape to freedom goes against the prevailing attitudes towards slavery and the treatment of African Americans in society. Huck's interactions with characters such as the King and the Duke further highlight his resistance to traditional authority. Despite their attempts to manipulate and deceive others, Huck sees through their facade and ultimately chooses to distance himself from their immoral behavior. Even when faced with the moral dilemma of whether to turn Jim in as a runaway slave, Huck follows his own conscience rather than obeying the law. His decision to protect Jim and risk his own safety demonstrates his rejection of the established authorities that condone slavery and discrimination.- Huck's journey towards independence and moral growth is marked by his defiance of traditional authority figures and societal norms. By challenging the status quo and following his own sense of right and wrong, Huck emerges as a symbol of individualism and moral integrity in a world filled with hypocrisy and injustice.
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