Mark Twain’s 1885 novel condemning the institutionalized racism of the pre-Civil War South is among the most celebrated works of American fiction. Twain’s story of a runaway boy and an escaped slave’s travels on the Mississippi plumbs the essential meaning of freedom. Read a character analysis of Huck, plot summary, and important quotes.
Summary
Read our full plot summary and analysis of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, chapter by chapter breakdowns, and more.
Characters
See a complete list of the characters in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and in-depth analyses of Huckleberry “Huck” Finn, Jim, Tom Sawyer, the duke and the dauphin, and Pap Finn.
Literary Devices
Here's where you'll find analysis of the literary devices in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, from the major themes to motifs, symbols, and more.
Questions & Answers
Explore our selection of frequently asked questions about The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and find the answers you need.
- Why does Jim run away?
- What trick does Huck play on Jim after they get separated in the fog?
- Why does Huck write the letter to Miss Watson informing her of Jim’s whereabouts?
- When does Jim earn his freedom?
- Why doesn’t Huck want to be adopted by Aunt Sally?
- How do Pap Finn, the Widow Douglas, and Judge Thatcher dispute over the custody of Huck?
- How does Huck escape from imprisonment by his father?
- What dreams and plans does Jim have for his future once he successfully escapes from slavery?
- What is the significance of the town of Cairo, Illinois?
- How does Huck escape from the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons?
- What happens after two con artists come on board Huck and Jim’s raft?
- How do the duke and king work their Royal Nonesuch scam?
- How does Huck foil the attempts of the duke and king to rob the Wilks family?
- Who is responsible for Jim’s recapture and how does it happen?
- Why is Jim’s imprisonment on Silas Phelps’s plantation a lucky coincidence for Huck and Jim?
Quotes
Find the quotes you need to support your essay, or refresh your memory of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by reading these key quotes.
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By Theme
- Guilt/Shame
- Empathy
- Adventure
- Money/Wealth
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By Character
- Huck
- Jim
- Tom
- The duke and the dauphin
- Pap Finn
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By Symbol
- The Mississippi River
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By Setting
- The American South
Quick Quizzes
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Essays
Get ready to ace your The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn paper with our suggested essay topics, helpful essays about historical and literary context, a sample A+ student essay, and more.
Further Study
Go further in your study of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with background information, movie adaptations, and links to the best resources around the web.
