The theme of freedom surfaces frequently in the book The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn. Throughout the book, the most obvious controversy about freedom is
Jim's situation. This type of freedom though important, is not the type I will discussing.
The freedom I am analyzing is Huck's freedom from several different subjects. Huck had
to gain both physical and emotional freedom. Often times the physical freedom came
before full emotional freedom could.
Huckleberry Finn is a young boy around the age of 13. He is adventurous and
outgoing. Because of his childhood rearing, he is a very self-sufficient and independent
The book begins with Huckleberry Finn living at the home of the Widow Douglas.
Though Huck becomes accustomed to her way of living, he is not happy. He feels her
attempts to "sivilize" him are constraining. "She put me in new clothes again, and I
couldn't do nothing but sweat and sweat, and feel all cramped up (Twain 2)."
Not only must Huck wear uncomfortable clothes but he must also attend school
and learn her Christian ways. School is a new part of life for Huck. As a child, his dad
was a drunk and his mother was deceased. Because of this, he never had to attend school.
In fact later on in the book, his father demands that he quit school. Huck rejects the idea
of organized religion and a majority of the Widow's teachings.
Although the Widow had good intentions in trying to convert Huck into society's
"norm", she was actually driving him away. He eventually ran away from the widow but
soon returns. Although Huck did return, he still feels lonely and empty. "...it was rough
living in the house all the time, considering how dismal regular and decent the widow was
Shortly after this, his father comes back into Huck's life. His father Pap, has been
abusive both physically and emotionally all of Huck&a...