Meaning Of Man In Huckleberry Finn

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The Definition of a Man In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written by Mark Twain (1884/1994), the author explains that the definition of a man by giving examples throughout the story of people who show honor by acting honestly at all times, placing others before themselves, and standing firmly in their values. After Huck and Jim lose their raft and supplies, they steal food but justify their actions by calling it “borrowing” and not taking the persimmons (Twain, 1884/1994, p. 88). The duo rationalizes their actions as “borrowing” because that term sounds less daunting than “stealing.” They claim that if a person has intentions to pay an owner back, then they are not truly stealing. The two also feel relieved when they agree not to take the persimmons. However, this action does not gain them any more honor, because they chose not …show more content…
This is a negative example of the definition of a man because the two do not show honor, because they are not honest and their actions are only for personal gain. Another example is when Huck and Jim explore the Walter Scott. After finding murderous robbers while exploring on the ship, the two return to find their raft has floated away (Twain, 1884/1994, p. 96). After leaving on the stolen raft, Huck begins to feel guilty and empathic, so downriver he asks the watchman to go help the people stranded on the Walter Scott (Twain, 1884/1994, p. 97-98). In this example, Huck is shown to be maturing because he is beginning to think of more than just himself. Here Huck realizes that he is no better than the robbers if he leaves them to die. Not only does Huck recognize the issue, but he takes action to find a resolution by asking for help. Another time Twain (1884/1994) shows the definition of a man is when the people of the village form a mob to arrest Colonel Sherburn for killing Boggs, the colonel stops the angry mob by pulling out a gun and then speaking to the crowd about how a true man is not a follower who hides