Assignment topic: symbolism in the novel adventures of

huckleberry Finn
Subject: American literature
Submitted by: RIDA
BS 8th semester
Roll no 16001
Submitted to: Ma’am ANILA

Adventures of huckleberry Finn

The Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is perhaps the most well-known examples of symbolism in

Huckleberry Finn. It symbolizes freedom - freedom for society and “civilization” for
Huck, and freedom from slavery for Jim. When the two of them are floating on their raft
down the river, they feel truly happy and free. Of course, at times civilization
(symbolized by the shore) do encroach on their idyllic life, both when they land the raft
and view the hypocrisy of society, and when society climbs aboard the raft in the forms
of the duke and the dauphin.

The Widow Douglass

The epitome of society is symbolized by the Widow Douglass’s home. After all, it is there
that Huck is forced to wear civilized clothing, eat and speak in a civilized manner, and
act civilized in all possible ways. He runs away from this symbol of civilization to the
freedom of the river.

Jim

Then, of course, there is Jim, the symbol of all enslaved people in the South. He is
downtrodden, looked down upon by all of the other characters in the book, and
desperately seeking his freedom. In contrast to the rest of society, however, he is loyal
and honest.

Huck Finn

Huck Finn, the protagonist of the book, contains an element of symbolism as well. He
symbolizes the struggle between a person and his conscience, as well as between
society and free-thinking. Throughout the book, he struggles with the decision of
whether to help Jim escape, and it is this struggle that he wins when he decides to
ignore society’s beliefs and stand loyally by Jim.

Granger ford House

Although there are many small incidents within this picaresque novel that have elements
of symbolism, none of them are as blatant as the Granger ford House, symbolism of
materialistic aristocracy. The description of both the house and the people who live in it
make it obvious that it symbolizes the peak of the upper class, who seem to live in a
different world than Huck and Jim.

These examples of symbolism in Huckleberry Finn are not exclusive, but they are the
most obvious ones that twain has inserted into his novel. Take a look at some of the
more minor characters and events, such as the duke and the dauphin, Tom Sawyer, and
the loss of the raft, and try to discern the symbolism that twain plants into each one.

Thank you