riverandshore

Find Several Instances in the book when life on the river is contrasted, either directly or indirectly, with the “civilized life” on the shore. How does Huck represent the life on the river and how does he interact with life on the shore? What does Mark Twain seem to be saying about the two lives?

Ashley Hartzell, Abby Ault, Samantha Lockhart

In Huckleberry Finn, a novel written by Mark Twain, Huck lives part of his life on the river and interacts with different areas on the shore. Life on the river is different than the “civilized life" on land (Twain 317) . Huck did not want to be "civilized" because it meant always being controlled by someone. Whenever he was on the river, he felt free and able to do what he pleased, without being told not to do so. His only companion for much of the trip was Jim, a runaway slave and friend, leaving him master of his world whenever he steps out onto his raft. When Huck is on the island with his father, he is forced to stay inside and live under his father's command, forcing him to fish and hunt for food , on his father's time . At Buck's house, he has to "comb up" on Sunday and wear clean clothes (Twain 201). At Aunt Sally's, he has to fit into society, and is expected to behave like an educated young boy. When she offers to adopt him he fears that she will "civilize" him and he "can't stand it" (Twain 317). But when he is on the river, he is able to do whatever he wants .H e can fish when he feels like it, he sleep s when he wants to, he's not forced to stay in one spot , and he can float down the river whenever he wants to. He has to conform to the patterns of the society he finds himself in, but life on his raft is not tied down with the rules of the world.

**You guys did a great job with comparing and contrasting life on the river and life in a civilized community. A question we have is what ever happened to The Duke and The King? We thought that them being present with Huck and Jim would have also affected their lives on the river. Having to deal with them lying to people to get money really irritated Huck because he did not like to be bossed around. Dalena, Erica

We didn’t include the Duke and the King because they were present on the river and the shore, so they didn’t add to the contrast.