Conformity In Huckleberry Finn

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Pages: 3

In the book “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” the author, Mark Twain, highlights one major problem in society, the practice of conformity. He displays this through the adventures and interactions of the title character, Huckleberry Finn.
Huck, throughout the book, has a problem of being forced to conform to standards set by everyone except himself. We are immediately introduced to this in the first chapter, Huck is in the care of the Widow who tries hard to civilize him. She makes him go to school, sleep in a bed, wear proper clothing, and even makes him learn about religion. Through his narration Huck shows his displeasure, he does not want this life, even attempting to run away. He only comes back because he bends to the will of his friend,
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Twain makes Huck do as he wills, not as society or an authority will it, even if his will goes against what is established. Huck rebels and sticks to some of his ways, when Pap Finn forbade Huck from going to school his resolve hardened and Huck kept going anyway to spite his old man. When the Duke and King try to swindle Wilks’s nieces out of their inheritance, Huck does what is right and returns the inheritance to the rightful owners. Even though Huck had complied with all the other acts of the Duke and King, this one he refuses because his moral character will not let him. He will not let the Duke and King steal from those …show more content…
When Tom Sawyer creates an elaborate scheme to help Jim, Huck goes with it. He conforms to the will of Tom and allows the plans to happen, even though he knows there are easier ways to help Jim out. He cannot help but confirm, whether it be totally or partially, to authority figures and society. Even when he is locked up with Pap Finn, Huck does not act up. He does whatever Pap Finn wants him to, never rebelling against him. As George Jackson, Huck tries to blend in, play on the emotions of whoever he can play. He conforms to their ideas of weakness and dependence to keep himself safe or to get