Leader of the Wrong Line - Role Models in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"

Role models inherently have qualities that children aspire to acquire. Children admire specific attributes of a literary character that categorize the character as a literary hero. Most heroes are such because of their exceptional traits. They make good role models in society because of their positive influence on kids. Huckleberry Finn, from Mark Twain's novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is such a literary hero. Huck is a young boy growing up in the south; his journey's with his friends Tom and Jim define his personality. Huck's personality, however, does not set a promising example for children. Instead his moral compass conflicts with the qualities which make him a hero. Because Huck is not a moral character, those who admire him are set on the wrong path in society. Mark Twain glorifies immoral behavior by demonstrating how Huckleberry Finn, a likable character, sins often in creative, beneficial ways.

Many of Huck's behaviors and idealisms indicate that his morality is corrupted. Firstly, it is important to note that Mark Twain, at the time he wrote of Huck's tale, has "continuing resistance to categories and boundaries" (Bruce 173). Since Mark Twain did not want his literature to conform, he created a hero which would then challenge normal societal beliefs. Huck, "didn't see how [he] ever got to like it so well at the widow's" when he was under the care of a widow because "[he] had to wash, and eat on a plate, and comb up, and go to bed and get up regular, and be forever bothering over a book" (Twain 32). Huck's comforts are not the same as society's comforts; he formulates his own morals coinciding with what makes him happy. Huck, desiring to reach a comfortable life, takes an easier path containing sins. As Huck is floating down a river with Jim, he encounters a few men who are trying to capture runaway slaves. Since Jim is a runaway slave, Huck lies to the two men telling them that he is with a white man, specifically, his father who has small pox (93). Although it appears that Huck lies for a cause - to defend his friend - Huck in reality is only taking the easy way out. He avoids conflict with both the men and Jim by lying. Secondly, Huck accepts behaviors which are not acceptable to any moral person. According to Charles E. Wilson Jr., a literary critic, "the boys think their gang is honorable and moral, but they intend to rob innocent people... The boys purport to be good Christians because they decide it would be wrong to rob people on Sunday; yet they ignore the fact that such behavior would be wrong any day of the week for a true Christian" (Wilson 8). At some point, Huck even mentions that "there [is not a way of] telling, but [he] might come to be a murderer [himself]" (Twain 76). Because Huck is so comfortable with thoughts of himself sinning for pleasure or work, yet he still considers himself a moral person, his moral compass differs from society. Overall, the beliefs and actions of Huckleberry Finn make him immoral based on society's standards.

Despite Huck's immorality, certain characteristics come through which lead to admiration of him. The first of which is his connection to the reader. As exposed by Henry Nash Smith, the "turning [of] the story over to Huck brought into view previously unsuspected literary potentialities in the vernacular per¬spective, particularly the possibility of using vernacular speech for serious purposes and of transforming the vernacular narrator from a mere per¬sona into a character with human depth" (Smith 83). Huck makes an immediate connection to the audience with the dialect and narration of his adventures. Even though the dialect he uses is outdated in modern times, a connection is still present because it is clear that he is speaking in a casual manner. Mark Twain also makes it apparent that Huck will narrate comically. As told by James S. Leonard, another literary critic:

The novel's delight is immediate: "You don't know about me, without you have read a book by the name of 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' but that ain't no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly." That "mainly" sets the tone; the story will be playful, will imitate life but at the distance of pretense, will be like life, but at a safe remove. The book will have the perspective of youthful deflation of the adult world; it will establish the identity of the true author, who will control both the overtone of comedy and the undertone of satire. (Leonard 131)

This "true author" is one that the audience will trust throughout the book. Ironically, the audience will learn to trust Huck's narrations even after reading about all his lies. Huck is also creative; he was able to fool the entire town into thinking that he was murdered. Only after words he "[wished] Tom Sawyer was there; [he knew that Tom] would take an interest in [his trickery], and throw in the fancy touches" (Twain 41) Though Huck has a creative mind, he is conceited about it and wants to brag about his fine work to his friend. Overall, these characteristics put Huck in a good light.

Although, it is apparent that many readers will grow to accept Huckleberry Finn as a literary hero based on likable characteristics, this only supports admiration of an immoral child. Huck does not represent a beneficial role model because if a child were to mimic Huck they would only be getting themselves into trouble, and get away with it most of the time. According to Laurie Champion, an African American critic of Twain's work, "families have trekked to every district in America to say that 'this book is bad for our children, only to be turned away... teachers and administrators responding that 'this is a classic'" (Champion 143). Despite many realizing that Huck is a poor hero, and should not be admired, there are also many who completely lavish Huck and his story. Mark Twain created a character which challenged popular beliefs and gave a reason for so many others to the same.

Bibliography
The Critical Response to Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. Ed. Laurie Champion. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1991. Questia Online Library. Questia Media America. 5 Oct. 2008 .
"Exploring Social Issues Through Literature." Race and Racism in Literature. 1985. Ed. Charles E. Wilson, Jr. 1-12. Rpt. in Exploring Social Issues Through Literature. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. Wootton HS Lib., Rockville, MD. 1 Oct. 2008 .
Making Mark Twain Work in the Classroom. Ed. James S. Leonard. Durham: Duke University Press, 1999. Questia Online Library. Questia Media America. 19 Oct. 2008 .
Mark Twain: A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Henry Nash Smith. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1963. Questia Online Library. Questia Media America. 5 Oct. 2008 .
Michelson, Bruce. Mark Twain on the Loose: A Comic Writer and the American Self. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1995. Questia Online Library. Questia Media America. 5 Oct. 2008 .
Twain, Mark. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. 1959. New York: Signet Classic, 1997.