Essay/Term paper: Huckleberry finn: a good role model

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Social Issues

Huckleberry Finn: A Good Role Model


"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" gives a visual look at the time in
which the author Samuel Clemens lived. He explains how he felt about his life
through the eyes of a young boy named Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn has
many adventures that teach him life lessons we can learn from today. Although
there are differing opinions on whether Huck Finn is a good role model for
today's young people, I will explain why I think he is.
Huck is a good role model for several reasons. First, he believes that
slavery is wrong. He believes in treating people equally regardless of color.
When Huck sees the widow's runaway slave Jim on Jackson's Island, he has mixed
emotions about what he should say and do. He feels badly that the widow is
going to sell Jim and separate him from his family. Huck decides against better
reasoning to help Jim escape down the Mississippi River to Cairo.
Another example of good role modeling is Huck's faithfulness to those he
loves and cares for. Huck lies to protect Jim on several occasions. Lying is
not the best thing, but to Huckleberry, the truth is not always a black and
white issue. He is faithful to his friends and chooses friendship instead. He
knows that Jim's family needs him. In today's language, Huckleberry's reaction
to Jim's situation would reflect what Spock of Star Trek says, "The needs of the
many outweigh the needs of the few."
An illustration of another positive side of Huck shows us that he has a
good and true heart, and the best intentions even though they may not turn out
right. For example, the widow tells Huck to pray for the dinner they are having.
Huck's interpretation is, "God thank you for the meal and if you get the chance,
please let me catch a big catfish." The widow tells Huck that he shouldn't pray
for material things. Huck disagrees because his Sunday School teacher teaches
him to pray to God for what you want, and it will be granted. The widow tells
him that the teacher is talking about spiritual things. He still disagrees, and
is sent to his room. Even though his intentions are the best, he still comes up
short; but he keeps on trying.
Finally, Huckleberry Finn thinks life is precious and shouldn't be
wasted. This is the most important lesson he can teach today's young people. He
and Jim find themselves in a situation as they are floating down the
Mississippi River in the fog. All of a sudden, they see a ferry boat and Huck
jumps off of the raft to avoid being hit. He swims to shore and meets a family
named the Grangerfords. Huck stays with the Grangerfords and gets to know them.
The Grangerfords have been feuding with another family named the Sheperdsons.
One day a fight breaks out over love between the Grangerford's daughter
and the Sheperdson's son. Huck watches from a tree in terror as the two
families fight each other to the death. He realizes from this awful experience
how easily life can be taken away, and that people should try to come together
and work out their problems before they get out of hand.
Throughout "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," there are many
instances of positive role modeling behavior for young adults in my view. At
first sight Huck's actions look questionable to many. I choose to look at Huck
as a kid without a lot of adult supervision and support who tries to make his
way in the world. He is only human and makes mistakes, but I think he learns
from them, and that is all that any of us can try to do.