THE EXTSTENTIALISM IN MARK TIryAIN'S THE ADTIENTTJRES OF HUCKLEBERRTFIITIT
A THESIS
Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of rhe Requirements Fcr The Sarjana
Degree of English Department Faculty of Letters and Humarities state
klauic
University of Sunan Ampel SurabayaUIN
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By:
Nur Azizah
Reg. Number. A03212060
ENGLISH DEPABTMtrNT
I,ETTERS ANI} EUMANITIES FACULTY
STATE ISLAMIC UNTYERSITY OF SUNAN AMPEL
DECLARATION
This thesis contains of rnaterials which have been accepted fbr the arvard
of Sarjana Degree of English Department, Faculty of Letters and Humanities State
Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabays. For the best of rny knowledge and belief, it is not contains previously published material or rvritten by other persons except dr-re ref'erence in made in the texl of the thesis.
Suraba-ya, 20 July 20i6
Reg, Number. A03212060 Nur Azizah
iu,-ADVISOR'S APPROVAL SHEET
This thesis by Nihlah Turdhiyana entitled "Daniel Boyle's Psychopathy
in
ChrisMooney's The Missin-s" has been approved to be examined advisor and could be proposed to fulfill the requirement of Strata
I Degree
of English department Faculty of Letters and Humanities State Islamic university sunan Ampel Surabaya.Surabaya, 15th August 2016
Thesis Advisor
Dr. iVlohammad Kurium. M. Ag
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1e690925 I 99{03 1002Acknowledge by
The Head of English Department
Dr. Mohammad Kurium" M. Ag
NIP. 1969092s1994037002
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LETTERS AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC T'NIVERSITY SUNAN AMPEL
EXAMINER APPROVAL SHEET
This thesis has been approved and accepted by thc Board of Examiners,
English Department, Faculty of Letters and Humanities State Islamic University
of
Sunan Ampel Surabaya on August, lslfi 2016.
Acknowledged by:
The Board of Examiners
Head of Examiners Secretary
Dr. Mohammad Kurium. M. Ae
NIP. 1969092s1994031002
Examiner
I
/
Haris Shofivuddin. M. Fil.I NIP. 19820418200901 10 12
Examiner
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Ity of Letters and Humanities
a . 19600212199003r002
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KEMENTERIAN
AGAMA
UMVERSITAS
ISLAM
NEGERI
SUNAN
AMPEL
SURABAYA
PERPUSTAKAAN
Jl. Jend. A. Yani 117 surabaya 60237 TeIp. 031-s 43rg72Fax.03l-8413300
E-Mail: perpus@uinsby.ac.id
xi
ABSTRACT
Azizah, Nur. 2016. The Existentialism in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Thesis. English Department. Faculty of Letters and Humanities. State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Mohammad Kurjum, M. Ag.
This thesis entitled The Existentialism in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is chosen by the researcher because in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn novel there was existential side found. This novel has
interesting story which told about the adventures of the main character to get his freedom in his life that he wants and also when the main character is helping a slave to get his freedom forever. Existentialism become the main topic of this research that is interesting to be analyzed. This research is using descriptive method because it is contained in the form of word. Firstly, the writer chooses the topic of the research. Secondly, the researcher was collecting the data in the novel by Mark Twain which is related to this research. Thirdly, analyzing the data by using Existentialism theory as the main theory to analyze the existential side that is contained in the novel and the last is concluding and getting the result of the research. After analyzing the data, it is proved that there are existential sides in the novel that are shown by the main character when he did the adventures to get his freedom and helping a slave to be a real free man.
xii
ABSTRAK
Azizah, Nur. 2016. Eksistensialisme di dalam karya Mark Twain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Skrpsi. Sastra Inggris. Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora. Universitas Islam Negri Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
Pembimbing Skripsi: Dr. Mohammad Kurjum, M. Ag.
Skripsi ini berjudul eksistensialisme di dalam karya Mark Twain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn dipilih oleh peneliti karena didalam novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ini ada sisi eksitensi yang ditemukan. Novel ini mempunyai cerita yang menarik yang menceritakan tentang petualangan dari tokoh utama untuk mendapatkan kebebasan di dalam kehidupannya yang dia inginkan dan juga ketika si tokoh utama membantu seorang budak untuk mendapatkan kebebasan selamanya. Eksistensialisme menjadi topik utama dari penelitian ini yang menarik untuk di analisis. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif karena penelitian ini berisi dalam bentuk kata- kata. Yang pertama, peneliti memilih topik
penelitiannya. Yang kedua, peneliti mengumpulkan data yang ada didalam novel karya Mark Twain yang berhubungan pada penelitian ini. Yang ketiga,
menganalisis data dengan menggunakan teori eksistensialisme sebagai teori utama untuk menganalisis sisi eksistensi yang terkandung didalam novel dan yang terakhir yaitu menyimpulkannya dan mendapatkan hasil dari penelitian. Setelah menganalisis data, penelitian ini terbukti bahwa terdapat sisi eksistensi di dalam novel yang ditunjukkan oleh si tokoh utama ketika dia melakukan petualangan untuk mendapatkan kebebasannya dan membantu seorang budak untuk menjadi seorang pria yang seutuhnya bebas.
ix
Table of Contents
Inside cover ... i
Declaration Page ... ii
Motto ...iii
Dedication ... iv
Examiner’s Approval Sheet ... v
Advisor’s Approval Sheet ... vi
Acknowledgement... vii
Table of Contents ... ix
Abstract ... xi
Abstrak ... xii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ... 1
1.1 Backgroumd of the Study ... 1
1.2 Statement of the Problems ... 4
1.3 Objective of the Study ... 5
1.4 Scope and Limitation ... 5
1.5 Significance of the Study ... 5
1.6 Method of the Study ... 6
CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW ... 8
x
2.1.1 New Criticism ... 8
2.1.1.1 Character ... 10
2.1.1.2Characterization ... 12
2.1.2 Existentialism Theory ... 13
2.1.2.1 The Concepts of Human Existence ... 16
2.2 Review of Related Study ... 18
CHAPTER III ANALYSIS ... 19
3.1 The Character and Characterization of Huckleberry Finn ... 19
3.2The Existence of Huckleberry Finn ... 30
CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION ... 51
4.1 Conclusion ... 51
4.2 Suggestion ... 52
A z i z a h | 1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the Study
Literature is composed of those books, and of those books only, which, in the first place, by reason of their subject-matter and their mode of treating it, are general human interest; and in the second place, the element of form and gives the pleasure which to be regarded as essential (William 10). William Henry Hudson also said in his book entitled An Introduction to the Study of Literature. He said that literature is a work that strongly impelled to confide to others what we think and feel; hence the literature which directly expresses the thoughts and feelings of the writer (12).
Literature has three genres there are prose, poetry, and drama. Prose refers simply to any written piece of work that is built on sentences and paragraphs
rather than lines or verses like poetry. There are two basic of prose: non- fiction
and fiction. Novel is one of the fiction types of prose. A novel is one of literary works that has long story and made by author. It expresses the experience of the author, but not all novels tell the true story. There are some novels that tell about imagination story. Arnold Kettle said in his book entitled An Introduction to The English Novel that a novel is living thing, all 'one and continuous, like any other organism, and in proportion as it lives will it be found, I think, that in each of the parts there is something of the other parts (Kettle 12).
A z i z a h | 2
longest form than the other literary works, so that novel gives the researcher more detail information of the story for her analysis. In this research, the researcher analyzes a novel written by Mark Twain entitled The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Mark Twain was born in Florida, Missouri on November 30, 1835 and then died in Redding, Connecticut on April 21st, 1910. Actually the name of Mark Twain was not his real name, but his real full name is Samuel Langhorne Clemens or more known as Samuel Clemens. Samuel L. Clemens wrote under the pen name Mark Twain and went on to author several novels, including two major
classics of American literature: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn. He was also a riverboat pilot, journalist, lecturer, entrepreneur
and inventor. Mark Twain has a wife named Olivia Langdonand three children
named Susy, Clara, Jean (Mark Twain Biography).
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a written by Mark Twain and published in the United Kingdom in 1884. This novel commonly named among the Great American Novels (Litcharts.com). Even though this novel is not an existentialism novel, but after the researcher read the novel there is existence side that shown by the main character named Huckleberry Finn during his adventure in the novel. This novel told about the journey of a boy named Huckleberry Finn called Huck. The story began with Huckleberry Finn was bored with his life and he wants to be free from all of the rules given by Widow Douglas. Beside he
wants to be free from Widow Douglas’s rules in her house, Huck also wants to be
A z i z a h | 3
To be free from Widow Douglas, Huck’s adventures began with his best
friend named Tom Sawyer. His adventures with Tom Sawyer started with make a
robber group with Tom’s gang as the members. But gradually one by one of its
members out and the robber group was dispersed. And the other adventures begin when Huck succeed to run off from his father “Pap” Finn. In the way of his run
off, Huck met Jim as Miss Watson’s slave. Jim tells the reason of his run off and
then Huck promise with himself if he will help Jim to be free from the slavery by Miss Watson. The struggle of Huckleberry Finn who wants to be free and help Jim to be a free man like above which suitable with Jean Paul Sartre concepts of human existence.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of literary works that inspiring the readers with his struggles during his adventures in this novel. Huck has his own character that represented the existence of human being. By using
existentialism theory, the researcher will analyze the existential side of Huckleberry Finn as the main character in this novel which starts from his adventure with Tom Sawyer, and then his adventure when he run off from his father and met Jim until his great struggle during the adventure to help Jim became free as the slave of Miss Watson.
Existentialism in the literature in The Routledge Dictionary of Literary Terms means literary and philosophical responses to the experience of
A z i z a h | 4
complete freedom to determine his own fate. The actions he chooses in fact determine his existence (Storybites.com). In the 1940s and 1950s, French
existentialists such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus (1913 - 1960), and Simone de Beauvoir (1908 - 1986) wrote scholarly and fictional works that
popularized existential themes, such as dread, boredom, alienation, the absurd, freedom, commitment and nothingness (Mastin 2008).
The researcher takes the title of this research with “The Existentialism in
Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. Because after the researcher
read the novel there was existence’s sides in the novel. So that by using the
existentialism theory the researcher analyze the existence’s side that contained in
the novel .
1.2. Statement of Problem
Based on the background of the study, the researcher will analyze the main character in this novel named Huckleberry Finn or Huck. And below is the question of this research:
1. How is the character of Huckleberry Finn described in the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain?
A z i z a h | 5
1.3. Objective of The Study
From those statement problems, the study intends:
1. To describe the character of Huckleberry Finn in the novel
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
2. To explore the existence of Huckleberry Finn in the novel
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
1.4. Scope and Limitation
The scope of this research will focus on the life journey of Huckleberry Finn that full of the struggle during his adventures in the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. And this research limits the analysis of Huckleberry Finn as the main character in the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
1.5. Significance of The Study
The researcher hopes that this research will enrich the reader’s knowledge
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1.6. Method of the Study
1.6.1. Research Design
To answer the statement of the problem in this research, the researcher use library research. The researcher will use qualitative as a method and approach to analyze the main character in the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain because this research will show the result in the form of word and sentence not numeral.
1.6.1.1. Object of the Study
The object of the study in this research is the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
1.6.1.2. Instrument
The main instrument of this research will be human. In this research the instrument will be the researcher self.
1.6.2. Data Sources
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1.6.3. Data Collection
There are some techniques of data collection:
1. Reading the novel several times and determining the issue that will be analyze.
2. Underline the phrases, sentences or paragraph from the novel that related with the statement of the problem.
3. Reading some related eBooks, thesis, essay, journals to find out the theory, data and information required.
4. Making notes of important parts both primary and secondary data.
5. Classifying the data into categories.
6. Drawing conclusion based on the analysis to get the last result.
1.6.4. Data Analysis
A z i z a h | 8
CHAPTER II
LITERARY REVIEW
2.1. Theoretical Framework
In this research, the researcher used some theories. In order to know who Huckleberry is, the researcher here used New Criticism in her research. The
researcher used New Criticism to discuss about the character and characterization. This concept is used by the researcher to analyze the personality of Huckleberry Finn as the main character in the novel. Besides New Criticism, the researcher uses Existentialism theory by Jean Paul Sartre. The researcher used existentialism by Sartre to analyze the existential view that shows by Huckleberry Finn in the novel.
To make this chapter more organized, the researcher divides this chapter into two parts. The first part is about New Criticism which contains character and characterization of Huckleberry Finn. Then, the second part is about
Existentialism theory which contains the existence of Huckleberry Finn. Below is the explanation of those two parts:
2.1.1. New Criticism
A z i z a h | 9
considered the best way for a student to begin to study a work of literature. New Criticism was beginning after World War I with the critical work of modern poets and critics include I.A. Richards, Cleanth Brooks, Northrop Frye, John Crowe Ransom, T.S. Eliot, and Roman Jacobsen. Almost all people thought that T.S. Eliot as one of the father of New Criticism (T.S. Eliot and the New Criticism). According to Richards, a theory in criticism must offer both a theory of value and a theory of communication, on the assumption that poems communicate value, grounded on the reconciliation of conflicting "impulses" in the experience of the poet (Searle). This new criticism most important concepts concerning the nature and importance of textual evidence, the use of concrete, specific examples from the text itself to validate our interpretations (Tyson 135).
To simplify, new criticism meant by “the text itself” because their definition
of the literary work is directly related to their beliefs concerning the proper way to
interpret it (137). For the only way we can know if a given author’s intention or a
given reader’s interpretation actually represents the text’s meaning is to carefully
examine, or “closely read,” all the evidence provided by the language of the text
A z i z a h | 10
2.1.1.1. Characters
Characters are creation and representation of fictional persons and entities. It also means the persons represented in a dramatic or narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with particular moral, intellectual, and emotional qualities by inferences from what the persons say and their distinctive ways of saying it—the dialogue— and from what they do—the action. There are two types of characters flat and round characters (Abrams 32). The idea of character often attaches, therefore, to the personalizing or humanizing dimension of literature; thus naturalism, which tends to create plots in which characters are not self-determining agents but in ironic relationships to larger sequences of force, seems a remarkably impersonal writing. Yet, individual identity is often partly an attribute of social interaction, of the play of the social drama; this too is mimed in the dramatic character of much literature (Childs and Fowler 23).
Characters simply mean an imaginary person who acts, appears, or is referred to in a literary work. In fictional literature, authors use many different types of characters to tell their stories. Characters in fiction can be conveniently classified as major and minor, static and dynamic. Those types of characters described below:
a. A major character is an important figure at the center of the story’s action or theme. These characters are vital to the development and resolution of the conflict. In other words, the plot and resolution of conflict revolves around these characters. The major character is sometimes calleda protagonist whose
A z i z a h | 11
Protagonist is a term that refers to the main character in the story. The
protagonist is the person that the reader cares most about and is the “good guy” in
the story. He or she (or they) is faced with a conflict that must be resolved. The protagonist may not always be admirable (e.g. an anti-hero); nevertheless s/he must command involvement on the part of the reader, or better yet, empathy (Types of Character in Fiction). Often in stories the protagonist is in conflict with another character. The character that is against the protagonist and causes
problems for him/her is known as the antagonist.
The antagonist is the character(s) (or situation) that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend. In other words, the antagonist is an obstacle that the protagonist must overcome (Types of Character
Fiction). The antagonist might be considered to be the “bad guy” in the story. And
the supporting the major character are one or more secondary or minor characters. b. Minor character is partly to illuminate the major character that receives less attention. This type of character is almost always flat or
two-dimensional characters. They are usually all good or all bad. Minor character also serves to complement the major characters and help move the plot events forward.
c. Static character or sometimes referred to as flat character is
someone who does not change over time; his or her personality does not transform or evolve. Because of they do not change in the course of the story. They remain the same from the beginning of a work to the end.
A z i z a h | 12
result of resolving a central conflict or facing a major crisis. On the other hand, exhibit some kind of change – of attitude, purpose, behavior, as the story progresses. Most dynamic characters tend to be central rather than peripheral characters, because resolving the conflict is the major role of central characters (Types of Character Fiction).
2.1.1.2. Characterization
Characterization according to M. H. Abrams in his book entitled A Glossary of Literary Terms is the author simply presents the characters talking and acting and leaves the reader to infer the motives and dispositions that lie behind what they say and do. The author may show not only external speech and actions, but also a character's inner thoughts, feelings, and responsiveness to events (Abrams 33). There are also two types of characterization direct and indirect
characterization. On the other hand, means by which writers present and reveal characters – by direct description, by showing the character in action, or by the presentation of other characters that help to define each other. It also means the
methods a writer uses to reveal a character’s values, feelings, goals, etc. to
readers. When revealing a character’s traits, a writer can do so using direct
characterization or indirect characterization.
A z i z a h | 13
understandings bout the character. However, most information about characters is not so easily ascertained. That is because most of our understandings about characters must be arrived at as a result of indirect characterization (Literary Elements Characterization).
b. Indirect characterization occurs when the author showsthe
character in action, and lets the reader interpret what these actions reveal about the
character. It is also occurs when the narrative reveals a character’s trait/s
implicitly, through his or her speech, behavior, thoughts, appearance, and so on.
2.2. Literary Theory
This research also uses existentialism theory in literature by Jean Paul Sartre.
2.2.1. Existentialism Theory
Existentialism in literature is a philosophy that emphasizes the individual existence, freedom and choice. It is the view that humans define their own
A z i z a h | 14
Jonathan Webber said about existentialism in a book entitled The Routledge Companion To Ethics edited by John Skorupski that central themes of existential thought therefore include the reliability of our everyday views of us and other people, the relation between objective facts and subjective experience, the significance of the temporality and mortality of life, the basic nature of relationships between people, and the role of society in the structure of the individual (Skorupski 231). Existentialism, as Sartre defines it, is an ethical theory. It is a form of humanism, which means that it takes humanity as the central ethical value. But it is distinguished from other forms of humanism in the way it understands humanity. What is valuable is not simply the empirical fact of human existence (232). The ethical theory Sartre propounds is along these lines. What matters is that we possess and express the single overarching virtue of authenticity: the disposition to recognize and promote what is most genuinely our own, the fundamental nature of our existence (233).Any theory that places authenticity at the centre of ethical value can fairly be described as a form of existentialism, whether or not it concurs with Sartrean existentialism on the fundamental nature of human existence.
Sartre’s argument for authenticity being the cardinal virtue takes us deeper
into his philosophy. Sartre thinks, we can no longer choose to pursue any goal without also promoting the underlying cause of the significance that goal has. Since our goals are freely chosen and pursued, this means that once we understand this aspect of our existence we cannot value anything without also valuing
A z i z a h | 15
freely chosen, the ways in which we see the world as freely chosen, and even the ways in which we think about and emotionally respond to the world as freely chosen. He is often taken to be saying that when we confront any situation, we choose there and then how we will construe it, how we will feel about it, and what to think about it (234).
Sartre claims that any attitude other than authenticity is based on falsehood and inconsistency. The first of these seems obviously right: authenticity is, after all, supposed to be the recognition of the actual nature of human existence. The second seems to rest on the idea that it is inconsistent to value anything without valuing the freedom in which that valuing is itself rooted. But even if we grant that this is so, we might well ask what is wrong with falsehood and inconsistency. Within the account of valuing that Sartre has given, that is, we might ask why someone has to care about truth or consistency (236).
To simplify, existentialism means a study of human existence that have related with human action. The researcher chooses existentialism by Jean Paul Sartre because it suitable with Huckleberry Finn in Mark Twain’s The Adventures
A z i z a h | 16
2.2.1.1. The Concepts of Human Existence
This research chooses some concepts of human existence based on Jean Paul Sartre summary that suitable with Huckleberry Finn in the novel. The concepts are freedom, choice, responsibility and humanity. However, the researcher only applies some of those concepts to analyze the existential side of Huckleberry Finn as the main character in the novel. They are, concepts of freedom, choice, responsibility and humanity. Below the explanation of the used:
a. Freedom
Freedom is the central and unique potentiality which constitutes us as human. Sartre rejects determinism, saying that it is our choice how we respond to determining tendencies. For Sartre, freedom is the being of humans, and is inexorably linked to the for-itself. Although it sounds uncomfortable, if not unnerving, Sartre maintains that human beings are necessarily free, always, and it is impossible for a human to fail to be free (Sartre and Freedom).
b. Choice
Sartre emphasizes that each person is entirely the author of his choices—all significant aspects of choices are unconstrained by outside influences (“Man
A z i z a h | 17
c. Responsibility
Responsibility is the idea of freedom also calls for the notion of
responsibility. If we are free to make choices in our lives, we are also responsible for those choices. Hence in order to have an authentic life one has to recognize the inescapability of freedom and accept the responsibility associated with it (Jean
Paul Sartre’s Concept of Human Existence, 5). Each of us is responsible for
everything we do.
d. Humanity
Lawrence M. Hinman states in his power point Notes on Thomas R. Flynn about Existentialism: A Very Short Introduction Chapter One, about Sartre’s
“Existentialism is a Humanism,” is a prime example of a belief shared by most
twentieth- ‐century existentialism: the primacy of the human and the importance
of human freedom in the creation of our identity (Hinman, 15). It has been blamed for encouraging people to remain in a state of quietism and despair. Others have condemned us for emphasizing what is despicable about humanity, for exposing all that is sordid, suspicious, or base while ignoring beauty and the brighter side of human nature (Sartre 17).
By using those concepts of human existence which is suitable with the contain in the novel that researcher wants to analyze in this research. The researcher can be prove the research which analyze the existential side of the
A z i z a h | 18
2.3. Review of Related Study
The first is An Analysis of Figurative Language Translation in Mark
Twain’s Novel Entitled Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This thesis is written by
Grahaprilwana in Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. In this research the writer analyzes the figurative of language which are alliteration, allusion, assonance,
imagery, simile, personification, metaphor, hyperbole, paradox, irony, metonymy,
synecdoche, onomatopoeia, idiom, and symbol in the novel.
The second is A Window to Jim’s Humanity: The Dialectic between Huck
and Jim in Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This analysis is
written by Erich R. Anderson in Indiana University. In this research the writer analyzes the use of dialectic by Mark Twain in the character of Huck and Jim and
Mark Twain’s message about slavery and race discrimination.
The similarity between this research and those two analyses is using the
same novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. The difference
between this research and those two analyses are for the first analysis,
Grahaprilwana analyze the whole sentences in the novel that contains of figurative
language. Then for the second analysis, Erich R. Anderson analyzes the dialectic,
discrimination, slavery by using slavery and race discrimination. Afterwards for this research, the researcher will analyze the existence of Huck as the main
A z i z a h | 19
CHAPTER III
ANALYSIS
This chapter tries to answer the statement of the problem. The first part is to describe the character of Huckleberry Finn as the main character and the second is to explore the existence of Huckleberry Finn in the novel.
3.1. The Character and Characterization of Huckleberry Finn
Huckleberry Finn becomes the main character in this novel since he is always mentioned in the story. He also becomes the object of the story. From the beginning, he has a big role to build this story up. From the previous chapter, it has explained about the character in the novel. Depend on the types of character in fictional literature, Huckleberry Finn as the main character in the story belongs into major character which is sometimes called a protagonist. This type of
character is explained in the previous chapter that major character is an important
figure at the center of the story’s action or theme. The protagonist may not always
be admirable (e.g. an anti-hero); nevertheless s/he must command involvement on the part of the reader, or better yet, empathy.
This type of character is also the same with the character of Huckleberry
Finn that becomes an important figure at the center of the story’s action or theme
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After supper she got out her book and learned me about Moses and the Bulrushers, and I was in a sweat to find out all about him; but by and by she let it out that Moses had been dead a considerable long time; so
then I didn’t care no more about him, because I don’t take no stock in
dead people (Twain 2).
From the quotation, we can know the impolite act of Huckleberry Finn as a boy to someone else who is older than him. He didn’t care any more when Miss Watson tried to teach him a book about Moses and the Bulrushers.
Pretty soon I wanted to smoke, and asked the widow to let me. But
she wouldn’t. She said it was a mean practice and wasn’t clean, and I
must try to not do it any more. That is just the way with some people.
They get down on a thing when they don’t know nothing about it. Here
she was a-bothering about Moses, which was no kin to her, and no use to anybody, being gone, you see, yet finding a power of fault with me for doing a thing that had some good in it. And she took snuff, too; of course that was all right, because she done it herself (Twain 2).
From that quotation, we can see Huckleberry Finn wants to smoke at home but Miss Watson does not allow him. He feels bothered by Miss Watson because
he didn’t allow smoking at home and Miss Watson still learns him about Moses.
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But Tom Sawyer he hunted me up and said he was going to start a band of robbers, and I might join if I would go back to the widow and be respectable. So I went back (Twain 2).
From the quotation, we can see that Huckleberry Finn obey all the command of Tom Sawyer. Because he thought that only together with Tom Sawyer he can
feels his freedom. So that, Huckleberry Finn worried if he didn’t obey, Tom
Sawyer won’t permit him to join the robber gang. This robber gang begins to form
with the blood oath like in the quotation below:
We went to a clump of bushes, and Tom made everybody swear to keep the secret, and then showed them a hole in the hill, right in the thickest part of the bushes. Then we lit the candles, and crawled in on our hands and knees. We went about two hundred yards, and then the cave opened up. Tom poked about amongst the passages, and pretty soon
ducked under a wall where you wouldn’t a noticed that there was a hole.
We went along a narrow place and got into a kind of room, all damp and sweaty and cold, and there we stopped. Tom says:
“Now, we’ll start this band of robbers and call it Tom Sawyer’s
Gang. Everybody that wants to join has got to take an oath, and write his
name in blood.” (Twain 7)
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Some thought it would be good to kill the families of boys that told the secrets. Tom said it was a good idea, so he took a pencil and wrote it in. Then Ben Rogers says:
“Here’s Huck Finn, he hain’t got no family; what you going to do
‘bout him?”
“Well, hain’t he got a father?” says Tom Sawyer.
“Yes, he’s got a father, but you can’t never find him these days. He
used to lay drunk with the hogs in the tanyard, but he hain’t been seen in
these parts for a year or more.” (Twain 8)
“But who are we going to rob?—houses, or cattle, or—”
“Stuff! stealing cattle and such things ain’t robbery; it’s burglary,”
says Tom Sawyer. “We ain’t burglars. That ain’t no sort of style. We are
highwaymen. We stop stages and carriages on the road, with masks on,
and kill the people and take their watches and money.”
“Must we always kill the people?”
“Oh, certainly. It’s best. Some authorities think different, but
mostly it’s considered best to kill them—except some that you bring to
the cave here, and keep them till they’re ransomed.” (Twain 9)
From those quotations we can know that Huckleberry Finn is a naughty boy because he really wants to join the robber gang like that which take an oath with his blood and their plans are kill the people then take the watches and money. Beside that Huckleberry Finn agreed if Miss Watson being his assurance in the
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because even though he is still a child but his playing is dangerous for someone else.
Then at the time when Huckleberry Finn really wants to feel freedom from his boredom life which is under the rules of Widow Douglas and also his drunken Pap Finn. The quotations below:
So he watched out for me one day in the spring, and catched me, and took me up the river about three mile in a skiff, and crossed over to the Illinois shore where it was woody and there warn’t no houses but an
old log hut in a place where the timber was so thick you couldn’t find it if
you didn’t know where it was (Twain 25).
That quotation shows the beginning of Pap Finn caught Huckleberry Finn to bring him away from Widow Douglas. But Huckleberry Finn didn’t want it, what he wants is being freedom from Widow Douglas and also Pap Finn. So that, on the way Pap Finn bring him away, Huckleberry Finn tried hard to escape from his Pap Finn which is like in the quotation below:
He got to going away so much, too, and locking me in. Once he locked me in and was gone three days. It was dreadful lonesome. I
judged he had got drowned, and I wasn’t ever going to get out any more.
I was scared. I made up my mind I would fix up some way to leave there.
I had tried to get out of that cabin many a time, but I couldn’t find no
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This shook me up considerable, because I didn’t want to go back to
the widow’s any more and be so cramped up and sivilized, as they called
it (Twain 27).
From the quotations, we can know that Huckleberry Finn didn’t want to live together with his Pap Finn so that he really tried hard to escape himself from his
Pap. But he also didn’t want to go back again to live with Widow Douglas.
Because he didn’t want to live under the rules of someone else. He wants to being free from all the pressure given by Pap Finn and Widow Douglas.
Huckleberry Finn has an impolite act and being a naughty boy because he feels a lonely life in Widow Douglas’s home all the time. He wants to feels freedom in his life. Huckleberry Finn did like that because he wants to show his identity that being as a child, all he wants is only doing what he wants without being under the rules of someone else.
Even though Huckleberry Finn shows his identity as a child with impolite act and become a naughty boy, but there were also a progress of Huckleberry Finn who became a good boy. It can be seen at some points when Huckleberry Finn begins to feel empathy to Jim who is being Miss Watson’s slave and his heroic act to help Jim. Those some points were showed in the quotations below:
Then I says:
“How do you come to be here, Jim, and how’d you get here?”
He looked pretty uneasy, and didn’t say nothing for a minute. Then
he says:
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“Why, Jim?”
“Well, dey’s reasons. But you wouldn’ tell on me ef I uz to tell
you, would you, Huck?”
“Blamed if I would, Jim.”
“Well, I b’lieve you, Huck. I—I run off.” (Twain 45)
He said he’d be mighty sure to see it, because he’d be a free man
the minute he seen it, but if he missed it he’d be in a slave country again
and no more show for freedom (Twain 90).
Jim said it made him all over trembly and feverish to be so close to freedom. Well, I can tell you it made me all over trembly and feverish, too, to hear him, because I begun to get it through my head that he was most free—and who was to blame for it? Why,
me. I couldn’t get that out of my conscience, no how nor no way. It got to troubling me so I couldn’t rest; (Twain 91)
From those quotations, we can know the beginning of Huckleberry Finn’s
empathy grew up to Jim after he knows the reason why Jim run away from his owner Miss Watson. From that time, Huckleberry Finn begins thinking about freedom of Jim as a slave. Huckleberry was thinking so hard about it till he
couldn’t rest; now he felt dilemma about it. The dilemma of Huckleberry Finn can
be seen in the quotation below:
I tried to make out to myself that I warn’t to blame, because I
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conscience up and says, every time, “But you knowed he was running for
his freedom, (Twain 91)
I got to feeling so mean and so miserable I most wished I was dead (Twain 91).
From the quotations, we can know how dilemma Huckleberry Finn is when he wants to make Jim who is a slave become a real free man forever. His dilemma is caused by the fact that he has known that escaping Jim is breaking the law but Jim is also his friend. But finally, Huckleberry Finn takes a decision for this case of Jim which shows in the quotation below:
Thinks I, this is what comes of my not thinking. Here was this nigger, which I had as good as helped to run away, coming right out flat-footed and saying he would steal his children—children that belonged to
a man I didn’t even know; a man that hadn’t ever done me no harm
(Twain 92).
“Pooty soon I’ll be a-shout’n’ for joy, en I’ll say, it’s all on
accounts o’ Huck; I’s a free man, en I couldn’t ever ben free ef it hadn’
ben for Huck; Huck done it. Jim won’t ever forgit you,
Huck; you’s de bes’ fren’ Jim’s ever had; en you’s de only fren’ ole
Jim’s got now.” (Twain 92)
I went along slow then, and I warn’t right down certain whether I
was glad I started or whether I warn’t (Twain 92).
“Dah you goes, de ole true Huck; de on’y white genlman dat ever
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Well, I just felt sick. But I says, I got to do it—I can’t get out of it (Twain 92).
From those quotations, after Huckleberry Finn got dilemma finally he take a decision. His decision is to promise Jim if he will help Jim being a free man and not a slave again. After knowing the decision that is taken by Huckleberry Finn, Jim feels excited to hear that because for Jim it is only Huckleberry Finn, the white man who wants to help him being free man.
Huckleberry also shows heroic character when he did the actions during to help Jim become a free man. This heroic action of Huckleberry Finn can be seen in the quotations below:
I couldn’t hardly get my words out, I was so anxious; but I told
Tom as quick as I could we must jump for it now, and not a minute to lose—the house full of men, yonder, with guns!
His eyes just blazed; and he says:
“No!—is that so? Ain’t it bully! Why, Huck,if it was to do over
again, I bet I could fetch two hundred! If we could put it off till—”
“Hurry! Hurry!” I says. “Where’s Jim?” (Twain 275)
He’s dressed, and everything’s ready. Now we’ll slide out and give
the sheep-signal.” (Twain 276)
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them and Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer and Jim were hiding in the river. Below are the quotations:
But we got under all right, and out through the hole, swift but soft—Jim first, me next, and Tom last, which was according to Tom’s orders. Now we was in the lean-to, and heard trampings close by outside. So we crept to the door, and Tom stopped us there and put his eye to the
crack, but couldn’t make out nothing, it was so dark; and whispered and
said he would listen for the steps to get further, and when he nudged us Jim must glide out first, and him last (Twain 276).
“Who’s that? Answer, or I’llshoot!”
But we didn’t answer; we just unfurled our heels and shoved. Then
there was a rush, and a bang, bang, bang! and the bullets fairly whizzed around us! We heard them sing out:
“Here they are! They’ve broke for the river! (Twain 276)
After they go out from their hiding place, they feel comfortable. Actually for the nigger Jim who becomes a free man now, he feels very happy to hear that. It can be seen in the quotation below:
Then we struck out, easy and comfortable, for the island where my raft was; and we could hear them yelling and barking at each other all up and down the bank, till we was so far away the sounds got dim and died out.
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“Now, old Jim, you’re a free man again, and I bet you won’t ever
be a slave no more.”
“En a mighty good job it wuz, too, Huck. It ‘uz planned beautiful,
en it ‘uz done beautiful; en dey ain’t nobody kin git up a plan dat’s mo’
mixed-up en splendid den what dat one wuz.”
We was all glad as we could be, but Tom was the gladdest of all because he had a bullet in the calf of his leg (Twain 277).
From that quotation, we can see the heroic action when Huckleberry Finn helped by his friend Tom Sawyer did the escaping plan for the nigger Jim. Finally, the nigger Jim being a free man and not under slavery again. Even though after
escaping Jim, Huckleberry Finn’s friend named Tom Sawyer had a bullet in his
leg.
We can imagine how heroic was Huckleberry Finn in this case during the plans of escaping Jim. But Huckleberry Finn didn’t do it alone; he was
accompanied by his best friend who likes an adventure like this named Tom Sawyer. Both of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer are still child but their actions when help Jim to escape himself are really astonishing.
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thoughts, feelings, and responsiveness to events (Abrams 33). Characterization .has two types there are direct and indirect characterizations.
In this story the characterization of Huckleberry Finn belongs to the indirect characterization. Because as we know about the explanation of indirect
characterization is when the author showsthe character in action, and lets the reader interpret what these actions reveal about the character. It is also occurs
when the narrative reveals a character’s trait/s implicitly, through his or her
speech, behavior, thoughts, appearance, and so on. In the story the narrator shows the character of Huckleberry Finn by his behavior and actions in the story. After that the researcher tried to interpret the character from those behavior and actions which delivered by the narrator in the story.
3.2. The Existence of Huckleberry Finn
It has been explained in the previous chapter that existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the individual existence, freedom and choice. As we know existentialism believes that individuals are entirely free and must take personal responsibility for them. It can be seen in the character of Huckleberry Finn as the main character in the story. The existentialism here was shown by
Huckleberry Finn’s actions in the story. There are many concepts of human
existence by Jean Paul Sartre that applies in the story such as freedom, choice, responsibility and humanity. Those concepts of human existence were suitable
with Huckleberry Finn’s actions in the story to prove the existential side of him in
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a. Freedom
Freedom is the central and unique potentiality which constitutes us as human. It can be mean the condition of our minds where we can do everything consciously on our own desire without being forced by someone else. It is the central and unique potentiality which constitutes us as human. As Sartre claims that human beings are necessarily free and it is impossible for human to fail to be free. This freedom concept was shown by Huckleberry Finn in the story. We can see in the beginning of the story where Huckleberry Finn feels bored because of all the time he feels rough life in the house under the rules given in the Widow
Douglas’s home.
The Widow Douglas she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time, considering how dismal regular and decent the widow was in all her
ways; and so when I couldn’t stand it no longer I lit out. I got into my old
rags and my sugar-hogshead again, and was free and satisfied (Twain 2). Her sister, Miss Watson, a tolerable slim old maid, with goggles on, had just come to live with her, and took a set at me now with a spelling-book. She worked me middling hard for about an hour, and then
the widow made her ease up. I couldn’t stood it much longer (Twain 3).
Then for an hour it was deadly dull, and I was fidgety. Miss
Watson would say, “Don’t put your feet up there, Huckleberry;” and
“Don’t scrunch up like that, Huckleberry—set up straight;” and pretty
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don’t you try to behave?” Then she told me all about the bad place, and I
said I wished I was there. She got mad then, but I didn’t mean no harm
(Twain 3).
I went up to my room with a piece of candle, and put it on the table. Then I set down in a chair by the window and tried to think of something
cheerful, but it warn’t no use. I felt so lonesome I most wished I was
dead (Twain 3).
From the quotations, we can know how the boredom of Huckleberry Finn is such as rough living at home under the rules of Widow Douglas and her sister Miss Watson, and also when Miss Watson commands him to have polite behavior at home all the time. Huckleberry Finn really wants to get freedom from his boredom like go to somewhere, and then he also wants a change like he can do everything on his own way freely without following many rules. It can be seen in the quotations below:
All I wanted was to go somewheres; all I wanted was a change, I
warn’t particular (Twain 3).
“Now, we’ll start this band of robbers and call it Tom Sawyer’s
Gang. Everybody that wants to join has got to take an oath, and write his
name in blood.” (Twain 7)
We are highwaymen. We stop stages and carriages on the road,
with masks on, and kill the people and take their watches and money.”
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“Oh, certainly. It’s best. Some authorities think different, but
mostly it’s considered best to kill them—except some that you bring to
the cave here, and keep them till they’re ransomed.” (Twain 9)
Huckleberry Finn’s want is he can do everything on his own way without obeying
many rules, such as in that quotation which shows Huckleberry Finn wants to join a robber group. Even though it is not a good game for a boy in the same age like Huckleberry Finn because it could be dangerous for himself, but he ignores it. We can see in the quotation below:
And if anybody that belonged to the band told the secrets, he must have his throat cut, and then have his carcass burnt up and the ashes scattered all around, and his name blotted off of the list with blood and never mentioned again by the gang, but have a curse put on it and be forgot forever (Twain 8).
Some thought it would be good to kill the families of boys that told the secrets (Twain 8).
Well, nobody could think of anything to do—everybody was stumped, and set still. I was most ready to cry; but all at once I thought of a way, and so I offered them Miss Watson—they could kill her. Everybody said:
“Oh, she’ll do. That’s all right. Huck can come in.”
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From those quotations, we can know that Huckleberry Finn really want to join this gang to playing together with his friends. Because by joining a robber group, Huckleberry could feel a freedom like playing with no rules like in the
Widow Douglas’s house. So that he ignores the danger of the game and also the
oath of the gang if it was denied. Beside that he also makes Miss Watson being his assurance to join this robber gang. Huckleberry Finn also said that he could feel freedom whenever he was playing together with his best friend Tom Sawyer. It can be seen in the quotation below:
I asked her if she reckoned Tom Sawyer would go there, and she said not by a considerable sight. I was glad about that, because I wanted him and me to be together. (Twain 3).
Besides under the rules given in Widow Douglas’s home, he also wants to be free
from his Pap Finn. So that, Huckleberry Finn wants to get freedom where he can do everything he want without being under the rules of someone else.
Well, wasn’t he mad? He said he would show who was Huck
Finn’s boss. So he watched out for me one day in the spring, and catched
me, and took me up the river about three mile in a skiff, and crossed over to the Illinois shore where it was woody and there warn’t no houses but
an old log hut in a place where the timber was so thick you couldn’t find
it if you didn’t know where it was (Twain 25).
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mad then catches Huckleberry Finn and brings him to the place where someone
else didn’t know where itwas. Because Widow Douglas didn’t allow Pap Finn
brings Huckleberry Finn, Widow Douglas also did something to bring Huckleberry Finn comeback to her like in the quotation below:
The widow she found out where I was by and by, and she sent a man over to try to get hold of me; but pap drove him off with the gun,
and it warn’t long after that till I was used to being where I was, and
liked it—all but the cowhide part (Twain 26).
Huckleberry Finn was still thinking how he can be free from Pap Finn and Widow Douglas. Because as Huckleberry Finn said before that he wants to be free without pressures from his Pap Finn and Widow Douglas. We can see in the quotation below:
This shook me up considerable, because I didn’t want to go back to
the widow’s any more and be so cramped up and sivilized, as they called
it (Twain 27).
Huckleberry Finn did any plans to make he goes away and escapes from both of Pap Finn and Widow Douglas. He run away by the canoe and dropped at the river which there was no one else in there. Being here, Huckleberry Finn already felt a freedom on his own way in there.
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sky looks ever so deep when you lay down on your back in the moonshine; I never knowed it before (Twain 37).
From the quotations, we can know how Huckleberry Finn enjoys his freedom. He can do what he wants in there like he can smoke his pipe and enjoy
the beautiful views which he can’t do it before. But Huckleberry Finn didn’t stay
in there for a long time. So that he will go to somewhere to continue his way to get another freedom that he wants. He continues to Jackson’s Island. Because he
knows that Jackson’s Island was a place anybody won’t go there. The quotation
below:
All right; I can stop anywhere I want to. Jackson’s Island is good
enough for me; I know that island pretty well, and nobody ever comes there. And then I can paddle over to town nights, and slink around and pick up things I want. Jackson’s Island’s the place (Twain 36).
From the quotation, we can know why Huckleberry Finn chooses Jackson’s
Island become his run away destination. It is because this Island is never visited by anybody. So that, he thought his Pap Finn and Widow Douglas won’t hunt and catch him here. But the reality reversed, because Huckleberry Finn noticed if there
was Pap Finn near Jackson’s Island who comes to hunted him.
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“Look sharp, now; the current sets in the closest here, and maybe
he’s washed ashore and got tangled amongst the brush at the water’s
edge. I hope so, anyway.” (Twain 40)
From the quotation, Pap Finn comes to the Jackson’s Island to catch
Huckleberry Finn and make Huckleberry Finn comeback to his own. It makes Huckleberry Finn looking for hidden place, so that Pap Finn can’t find him. Below are the quotations:
“I didn’t hope so. They all crowded up and leaned over the rails,
nearly in my face, and kept still, watching with all their might. I could see them first-rate, but they couldn’t see me (Twain 41).
I knowed I was all right now. Nobody else would come a-hunting after me (Twain 41).
From the quotations, we can know how worried Huckleberry Finn when he
saw his Pap Finn and the others were near the Jackson’s Island to found him. But
his worried was gone when they can’t see him from his hidden place. He feels little safe now because his Pap Finn and the others didn’t see him.
From those quotations, we can know how difficult Huckleberry Finn is to get his freedom that he wants. Even though he has hidden himself in the Jackson’s Island, he did not fully get freedom. Because his Pap Finn and the others tried to find him then make him become his own again. It makes Huckleberry Finn
continued his adventures to get the real freedom. On his way in this Jackson’s
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someone who firstly arrived in the Jackson’s Island was Jim, a slave of Miss
Watson.
But by and by, sure enough, I catched a glimpse of fire away through the trees. I went for it, cautious and slow. By and by I was close enough to have a look, and there laid a man on the ground. It most give me the fantods. He had a blanket around his head, and his head was nearly in the fire. I set there behind a clump of bushes in about six foot of him, and kept my eyes on him steady. It was getting gray daylight now. Pretty soon he gapped and stretched himself and hove off the blanket,
and it was Miss Watson’s Jim! I bet I was glad to see him (Twain 43).
I was ever so glad to see Jim. I warn’t lonesome now (Twain 44).
From the quotations, we can know Huckleberry Finn feels glad because that someone is Jim a slave of Miss Watson. Huckleberry Finn feels no worry now in this island because he was not alone but there also Jim in there. But Huckleberry Finn is also curious of Jim being in the Jackson’s Island. So that, Huckleberry Finn try to asked Jim the reason of him being in the same island with him.
Then I says:
“How do you come to be here, Jim, and how’d you get here?”
He looked pretty uneasy, and didn’t say nothing for a minute. Then
he says:
“Maybe I better not tell.”
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“Well, dey’s reasons. But you wouldn’ tell on me ef I uz to tell
you, would you, Huck?”
“Blamed if I would, Jim.”
“Well, I b’lieve you, Huck. I—I run off.” (Twain 45)
From the quotation, we can know the reason why Jim is also in the
Jackson’s Island. It because he run away from his owner Miss Watson. At that
time, Huckleberry Finn was shocked by Jim because of Jim’s run away reason. It
makes Huckleberry Finn curious again what make Jim become run away from Miss Watson as his owner.
Well, one night I creeps to de do’ pooty late, en de do’ warn’t quite
shet, en I hear old missus tell de widder she gwyne to sell me down to
Orleans, but she didn’ want to, but she could git eight hund’d dollars for
me, en it ‘uz sich a big stack o’ money she couldn’ resis’. De widder she
try to git her to say she wouldn’ do it, but I never waited to hear de res’. I
lit out mighty quick, I tell you (Twain 45).
From the quotation, we can know the reason why Jim run away from Miss
Watson. It is because Jim will be sold by his owner Miss Watson to someone else
just because of money. After Huckleberry Finn knows the reason of Jim’s run
away, he can understand how Jim’s feeling till he choose run away from his owner. Because Huckleberry Finn thought that he and Jim have the same purpose which to get a freedom.
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Because Huckleberry Finn thought that he and Jim have the same purpose which to get a freedom. It makes Huckleberry Finn wants to help Jim to be free from his slavery.
Jim said it made him all over trembly and feverish to be so close to freedom. Well, I can tell you it made me all over trembly and feverish, too, to hear him, because I begun to get it through my head that he was
most free—and who was to blame for it? Why, me. I couldn’t get that out
of my conscience, no how nor no way. It got to troubling me so I
couldn’t rest; (Twain 91)
From the quotation, we can know Huckleberry Finn have been thought hard of how the way to make Jim create his dream being a real free man. But
Huckleberry Finn also didn’t want to break the law because of helping the run
away of slave. Huckleberry Finn confused of what is the decision that he must take for Jim.
I tried to make out to myself that I warn’t to blame, because I
didn’t run Jim off from his rightful owner; but it warn’t no use,
conscience up and says, every time, “But you knowed he was running for
his freedom, and you could a paddled ashore and told somebody.” That
was so— I couldn’t get around that noway. That was where it pinched.
Conscience says to me, “What had poor Miss Watson done to you that
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I got to feeling so mean and so miserable I most wished I was dead (Twain 91).
From the quotations, Huckleberry Finn shows his dilemma cause of thinking the
freedom for Jim. He feels dilemma because he didn’t want to breaking the law of
the run away slave from his legal owner but at the other side Jim also became his friend since they have the same purpose. Finally, Huckleberry Finn can take a decision of his confusion about Jim.
Thinks I, this is what comes of my not thinking. Here was this nigger, which I had as good as helped to run away, coming right out flat-footed and saying he would steal his children—children that belonged to
a man I didn’t even know; a man that hadn’t ever done me no harm
(Twain 92).
In that quotation, Huckleberry Finn wants to make Jim being freedom not only because he was being a friend for him but also he felt pity after Jim told him
about Jim’s daughter he didn’t see for a long time. So that Hucleberry Finn really
wants to help Jim being a real free man forever.
Huckleberry Finn did many ways to make Jim’s freedom become true. In this case Huckleberry Finn was not alone; there was Tom Sawyer who also wants
to helps him for Jim’s escapes till Jim become a real free man forever. There were
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Jim’s the prisoner. All right—I’m glad we found it out detective
fashion;
I wouldn’t give shucks for any other way. Now you work your
mind, and study out a plan to steal Jim, and I will study out one, too; and
we’ll take the one we like the best.” (Twain 234)
“My plan is this,” I says. “We can easy find out if it’s Jim in there.
Then get up my canoe tomorrow night, and fetch my raft over from the island. Then the first dark night that comes steal the key out of the old
man’s britches after he goes to bed, and shove off down the river on the
raft with Jim, hiding daytimes and running nights, the way me and Jim used to do before (Twain 235).
From the quotations, it shows that both Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer
brainstorm ways to try any plans to make Jim escaped soon. But their plans didn’t
success quickly, they failed again and again. But they won’t give up to help Jim.
We see it warn’t no use; we got to go and fetch Jim So he raised up
his bed and slid the chain off of the bed-leg, and wrapt it round and round his neck, and we crawled out through our hole and down there, and Jim and me laid into that grindstone and walked her along like nothing; and Tom superintended. He could out-superintend any boy I ever see. He knowed how to do everything.
Our hole was pretty big, but it warn’t big enough to get the grind-
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Then we helped him fix his chain back on the bed-leg, and was ready for bed ourselves (Twain 263).
From the quotations, we can know that Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sayer make a plan to take Jim and escaped him from the prison. They really work hard together to help Jim can go out from his prison sooner. Huckleberry Finn
convinces Jim not to be worried about their plan. He need to just believe on Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer then did that plan by command of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.
After waiting for a long times, finally Jim can escape himself after
somedays he get in the prison. But it is not the end, because another people didn’t want to let Jim went out from the prison. So that, it makes a fight between that person and these three person.
I couldn’t hardly get my words out, I was so anxious; but I told
Tom as quick as I could we must jump for it now, and not a minute to lose—the house full of men, yonder, with guns!
His eyes just blazed; and he says:
“No!—is that so? Ain’t it bully! Why, Huck,if it was to do over
again, I bet I could fetch two hundred! If we could put it off till—”
“Hurry! Hurry!” I says. “Where’s Jim?” (Twain 275)
He’s dressed, and everything’s ready. Now we’ll slide out and give
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But we got under all right, and out through the hole, swift but soft—Jim first, me next, and Tom last, which was according to Tom’s orders. Now we was in the lean-to, and heard trampings close by outside. So we crept to the door, and Tom stopped us there and put his eye to the
crack, but couldn’t make out nothing, it was so dark; and whispered and
said he would listen for the steps to get further, and when he nudged us Jim must glide out first, and him last (Twain 276).
From those quotations, we can know if there was other people who didn’t
want to let Jim out from the prison. Then it makes a fight between another people and Jim, Huckleberry Finn also Tom Sawyer. But finally, they can be escaped from that people who want to caught them. But from that fight, there was
someone between them who got a bullet in his leg because of that people’s shoot.
It can be seen in the quotations below:
“Who’sthat? Answer, or I’ll shoot!”
But we didn’t answer; we just unfurled our heels and shoved. Then
there was a rush, and a bang, bang, bang! and the bullets fairly whizzed around us! We heard them sing out:
“Here they are! They’ve broke for the river! (Twain 276)
We was all glad as we could be, but Tom was the gladdest of all because he had a bullet in the calf of his leg (Twain 277).
From the quotations, we can know that someone between them who got the shoot was Tom Sawyer. He got the bullet in his calf of the leg. But Tom Sawyer
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And when we stepped on to the raft I says:
“Now, old Jim, you’re a free man again, and I bet you won’t
ever be a slave no more.”
“En a mighty good job it wuz, too, Huck. It ‘uz planned
beautiful, en it ‘uz done beautiful; en dey ain’t nobody kin git up a
plan dat’s mo’ mixed-up en splendid den what dat one wuz.”
(Twain 277)
From the quotaions, we can know how Jim feeling at that time when he have been known being a re
