“There’s no place like home” is often referred to as a symbol to show the importance of home to a person. Setting, as it is used throughout the story, has a significant impact on the main character of the novel. In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, setting is a crucial factor towards Huck Finn as a character: These essential settings include the widow's house, Pap's cabin, and the raft.
In the novel, the widow’s house represents civilization towards Huck’s character. This is important because Huck wants to be independent. Huck talks about how he can’t stand being civilized anymore, so he leaves. The author states, “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 11). The quote exhibits how Huck isn’t an advocate of the civilization of himself. He doesn’t like being told what to do, such as using his manners or going to school. Huck, all in all, wants to be free. Also, the widow’s house symbolizes religion. Religious belief is significant because Huck wants nothing to do with it. Huck explains how he could care less about following in Miss Watson’s footsteps. Twain says, “...she was going to live so as to go to the good place. Well, I couldn’t see no advantage in going where she was going, so I made up my mind I wouldn’t try for it” (Twain 13). In the story, Huck Finn doesn’t show any signs of having a care for any kind of religious beliefs. Consequently, this reveals that Huck Finn has no interest in staying with the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson. Since Huck Finn is curious and all about adventure, the widow’s house isn’t the right place for him to be.
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In the book, Pap’s cabin symbolizes a sense of entrapment to Huck Finn. Huck does not enjoy being in this setting because of the danger risks. Huck explains how Pap always has his eyes on Huck, and he never has a chance to make an escape. Huck explains, “He kept me with him all the time, and I never got a chance to run off. We lived in that old cabin, and he always locked the door and put the key under his head nights” (Twain 34). The statement illustrates how Huck Finn is essentially trapped in Pap’s cabin. Also, Huck’s words imply that he seems to be scared and is trying to find a way to escape. Also, Pap’s cabin signifies abuse towards Huck Finn. Abuse is important because Huck’s father is abusing his son and Huck does not enjoy this very much. Huck explains how his father mistreats him. Twain states, “He used to always whale me when he was sober and could get his hands on me” (Twain 22). Pap’s abuse towards Huck ties in to the fact that Huck doesn’t have any family or moral support, and he is only 13 years old. Although Huck desires living on his own, he is somewhat forced to. The setting of Pap’s cabin represents constraint and resentment, which has a negative impact on Huck Finn as a character.
Huck is motivated to escape from Pap on a raft. Rather than just the means of transportation, the raft represents freedom for Huck and Jim. Since there are many things out to get the two, with Jim being a runaway slave and Huck being his father’s prey, the raft is their only getaway from society. Huck describes the raft as being their home and only source of safety. Twain writes, “We said there warn’t no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft” (Twain 127). The raft is of great significance to Huck because of its comfortability, physically and mentally. The raft is the separation between Huck and Jim’s freedom and the fear of society. In addition to freedom, the raft represents Huck and Jim’s time traveling together, symbolizing the unbreakable bond of friendship between the two. Their friendship is critical because it is the main thing keeping them alive. The author says, “Jim, this is nice…I wouldn't want to be nowhere else but here” (Twain 59). With this quote, the reader can imply that Huck has a feeling of safety in the level of comfort they have developed. Huck and Jim’s friendship has progressively grown throughout the story. Holistically, Huck’s character is positively affected by the raft and its amenities.
As expressed, in the story, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, the three symbolic settings are vital elements towards Huck Finn as a character. The widow’s house signifies civilization and religion, Pap’s cabin represents entrapment and mistreatment, and the raft symbolizes freedom and the power of friendship. “Home is where you make it” is a quote that closely relates to Huck and Jim’s home, the raft.
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