Introduction
to Theoretical &
Critical Approaches of
Adventures
of Huckleberry Finn
Theoretical Approaches
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a genuine classic story based on events from American history. Even though Twain wrote this novel much later than the setting describes, he of course knew Americn history and used it to describe the realities of the time.
For my first theoretical
approach, I will use Historical criticism.
This is a perfect criticism to analyze Adventures with, because
the theme and premise of the story is seeped in social realities, unique to
this particular time in America’s history.
Three historical characteristics in the south at this time were;
slavery was alive and thriving, ideologies deeply rooted in Christian religion
were the mind set of southerners, and justice was often sought by the common
folks. These particular social
elements are played out within the lines of Twain’s novel. Take for instance
Jim, the runaway slave that everyone is looking for to return him to his
rightful owner. That statement sounds completely foreign to us now, but back
in the 1840's, it was a socially
acceptable reality. Many of the
white people we are introduced to in the story act “deeply moral and
religious” according to the status-quo of the day, yet Twain reveals the
hypocrisy of their attitudes and choices by their actions.
For example, the Christian slave owners that break slave families apart
without a second thought, or Huck’s “socialized mentality” that he’ll
go to hell if he lets Jim go free are clear signs of a hypocritical attitudes
of a people that justify their inhumanities through skewed religious
convictions. Finally, the third characteristic of this time in history, is
justice is sought without the help of the law (as the south and backwoods
people are famous for.) Twain
creates the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons as a fictional
tale of what happens between rival families in the back country when gone
unchecked.
My second theoretical approach is the psychoanalytical approach. I want to use this approach to analyze Huck’s place in the world. Huck’s abused by his alcoholic father, has no mother, siblings or distant relatives, so it is safe to say he’s alone in the world. Not only is he physically alone, but he’s emotionally and socially removed most of the time from everyone he knows. Taking Freud’s theories of the human psyche, Huck’s id pushes him into situations that allows him to fulfill his primordial tendencies, that’s why he’s uncomfortable living in comfort and prefers to hunt and gather, and drift down the river ready to leap at the next pleasure-seeking adventure. Then, Huck’s ego emerges when he feels he must connect with other people and society to fulfill his obligation as a member. An example of his ego working is when he debates within himself that it’s not too bad to live civilized under Mrs. Watson’s rules, he gets rather use to it after awhile. Lastly, his superego allows Huck to feel good about his accomplishments and right choices — pulling off his death, surviving the obstacles on the river with Jim, and telling Mary Jane the truth about the Duke and the King’s deceit, were a few of many such superego accomplishments.
© Tammia Madden, 2002
URL of this webpage: http://www.cocc.edu/tammiam/theoretical.htm
Last Updated: 02 May 2002