Conflict In Huck Finn

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In a story, there are five essential components: the characters, the setting, the plot, the conflict, and the resolution. With these components a story not only keeps the reader’s attention but also makes a story realistic. The characters give a story personality with the various characteristics each character possesses. The setting of a story provides the reader with knowledge of the time and place in which the story takes place. The plot refers to the events that develop a story. The conflict is a predicament, usually but not always, between the protagonist and the antagonist in a story. The resolution, on the contrary, is where the conflict is resolved and it concludes a story. Though all these components are vital in their own way, a conflict …show more content…
Firstly, it is vital to remember that slavery is one of the main focuses in this novel. The author does not hesitant to use the term “nigger”. He uses it not to degrade or undermine African Americans, but rather to bring awareness to the meaning of the word and portray what being a slave was actually like. For one, Huck’s relationship with his father depicts how slaves were treated. Pap is an alcoholic who abuses and neglects Huck, just like the slaves are. Yet, at the end of the day, they are still considered merely a piece of property. At times, Huck’s circumstances cause himself to be just like everyone else during that time period, a racist. This easily can be due to his young age and innocence. For example, in chapter fifteen, he calls Jim the N word. This incident occurs when Jim and Huck lose each other on the Ohio River. Huck then tries to convince Jim that it was all just a dream. Huck says, “…and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn’t ever sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn’t do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that one if I’d a knowed it would make him feel that way” (Twain, 42). Huck is caught up in the moment and says something degrading to his friend and is disappointed for hurting him. Furthermore, a later scene in the novel displays this type of behavior again. When Huck encounters Sally she immediately assumes that Huck is her nephew Tom. Taking advantage of this knowledge, Huck makes up a lie about why he was “late”. Huck proceeds to say, “We blowed out a cylinder-head.” To which Sally asks, “Good gracious! anybody hurt?” And Huck responds. “No’m. Killed a nigger.” And Sally replies, “Well, it’s lucky; because sometimes people do get hurt” (Twain, 105). Undoubtedly there is blatant racism present. Sally’s reply to Huck clearly implies that African Americans are not considered people.
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