The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (vol. III)

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is certainly a bildungsroman. The litmus test for the growth of Huck is presented to the reader via the appearance of Tom Sawyer at the beginning and the end of the work. In the beginning of the work, Tom and Huck are seen running around their small town causing mischief as the boys follow the childish fantasies of Tom. Huck’s interaction with Jim is limited to a scene in which Tom wants to play a prank on the sleeping man but Huck argues it would be a bad idea and could possibly get them into trouble. Huck begins his journey with a slight suspicion but unending loyalty to Tom’s plans and little concern for Jim. However, Huck’s perspectives change over the course of his travels down the river with Jim. By the time Huck reaches Aunt Sally’s house, Huck sees Jim as a valuable friend who Huck is willing to be condemned to Hell to rescue out of slavery. The reappearance of Tom at the end of the work serves as a book end to the novel. The episode which occurs is in many ways the same adventures which were had at the beginning of the novel but now these final chapters seem out of place. Huck no longer sees as much value in Tom’s schemes and is intently concerned with Jim’s well being. Huck’s interaction with Tom Sawyer at the beginning and the end of the novel clearly demonstrates that by the end of his raft journey Huck has matured into a young adult who has rejected conventional morality to save a friend.