One theme that shows up a lot in Huckleberry Finn is the idea of freedom vs. civilization.
While traveling down the river, Huck and Jim are searching for freedom. However, everywhere else besides the river is civilized. There is a contrast between their desire for freedom and the actual civilization around them.
This contrast is also shown through the descriptions of Tom and Huck - Huck is realistic but Tom has far reaching, unrealistic dreams and expectations. Huck represents more realism (and civilization as it actually is) and Tom does not (he represents freedom, chaos, and romanticizes everything.) This is shown at the beginning of the book when they form a gang. Tom exaggerates about the gang and about how wonderful it is and how
