Open prompts #4 revision

1970. Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.

    Many novels revolve around a fictional societies and characters roles within them. In "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", the protagonist Huck Finn, helps a slave escape on board a raft headed down the Mississippi. Along the way, Huck develops new ideas about what society requires of him and weather he agrees with it or not.

    In the novel, Huck starts in a small town in Missouri. In this town, like much of the south during the 1800's, slavery is common practice and the law of the land lies in the bible. As Huck sets out on his journey he passes through a series of different towns in which he is considered an outlaw for assisting a slave in escape. Societies in the book see Huck not only as an outlaw, but a heathen who must be reeducated and reconditioned into a good christian citizen. The main goal of Huck's society is to ensure and reinforce christian values and keep race relations to nothing more than master and slave.

   For Huck, the prospect of being assimilated into his racist, ultra religious society is dreadful. Despite these feelings, Huck struggles to overcome certain boundaries such as race relations which have been ingrained in his mind since birth. These conflicting feelings lead Huck into many moral conundrums. One such event is the final escape of Jim, Huck and Tom from the Phelp's farm where Jim is being held captive. During this episode, Huck makes up his mind after fierce debating, that he will save Jim. Though this might seem like the logical thing to do for us, it is a big step for Huck. This choice directly defies the common practice of his society and shows us that Huck is willing to choose what he believes to be morally correct over the expectations of Society.

   In the end, Huck Finn overcomes societal norms in order to become what he feels is a morally superior person. By defying what his society, Huck takes a great step towards understanding and tolerance in his life.