Symbolism in Huck Finn Class Discussion and Analysis

Discussion: Symbolism Review: Symbol is a person, place, object, or activity that stands for something outside itself. It has a deeper meaning beyond its surface meaning. Review: Symbol is a person, place, object, or activity that stands for something outside itself. It has a deeper meaning beyond its surface meaning. A literary symbol takes on its meaning within the context of a particular book. A literary symbol takes on its meaning within the context of a particular book.

Symbols: Continued In Huck Finn, much of the novel derives its power from two central symbols: the river and the shore. In Huck Finn, much of the novel derives its power from two central symbols: the river and the shore.

The River Most readers see the river as representing freedom. Most readers see the river as representing freedom. Both Jim and Huck are running to find freedom. Both Jim and Huck are running to find freedom.

The River For Jim, freedom is concrete- -it means he would no longer be a slave and property, but a free man. He can literally float to freedom, to a state which does not allow slavery. For Jim, freedom is concrete- -it means he would no longer be a slave and property, but a free man. He can literally float to freedom, to a state which does not allow slavery.

The River For Huck, freedom is more abstract--it means he will not have to deal with the constraints of society. For Huck, freedom is more abstract--it means he will not have to deal with the constraints of society. He can get away from the burdens of having to wear formal clothes, go to school, and be beaten by his father. He can get away from the burdens of having to wear formal clothes, go to school, and be beaten by his father. Twain makes the river the way to achieve their goals. Twain makes the river the way to achieve their goals.

The Shore The shore, by contrast, seems to represent civilization and all the problematic people who live in it. The shore, by contrast, seems to represent civilization and all the problematic people who live in it.

The Shore It is on the shore, among “civilized” society, that slavery and abuse take place It is on the shore, among “civilized” society, that slavery and abuse take place Pap and the slave hunters Pap and the slave hunters the Grangerfords and their feud the Grangerfords and their feud lynching parties lynching parties the Duke and the King the Duke and the King

Symbolism What are some other symbols you can identify in the text? How are these symbols carried throughout the story? What are some other symbols you can identify in the text? How are these symbols carried throughout the story? How do these symbols relate to the following thematic topics: How do these symbols relate to the following thematic topics: Freedom vs. conformity Freedom vs. conformity Morality: Individual vs. societal Morality: Individual vs. societal