Colloquialism and Dialect
One of Twain’s unique literary features is his frequent and unadulterated use of dialect. Dialect is the distinctive way that a group of people from a local area speaks. In a note written as a foreword, Twain explains his use of various dialects: “Without it many readers would suppose that all these characters were trying to talk alike and not succeeding” (pg. 5). For Twain, it was very important that he authentically capture the way people actually talked. The use of dialects serves as a tool of characterization and reinforces the setting of the book (pre-Civil War South).
Each dialect is distinct and can be demonstrated with a basic comparison between Huck’s and Jim’s method of speech. Huck’s vernacular is filled with colloquialisms and altered words characterized by improper contractions, misplaced and misspelled words to place emphasis on his accent. Jim’s dialect, on the other hand, is noticeably different. Words are condensed together, flipped, or missing to create a thicker accent. “Say, who is you? Whar is you? Dog my cats ef I didn' hear sumf'n. Well, I know what I's gwyne to do: I's gwyne to set down here and listen tell I hears it agin.” (ch 2, p. 8). Occasionally, the dialects are difficult to understand because of their strength. It forces the reader to slow down and become one with the story.
Episodic Structure
Twain also employs an episodic plot structure made up of a series of smaller stories linked together. Each small story contains its own purpose, plot, and subtext that engage the reader. Although the episodes are significantly distinct, together they form a unified plot that illuminates the characters and their values. Each episode includes rich descriptions, humor, and suspense that engage the reader. This episodic structure emphasizes Huck’s moral development and growth.
The novel begins with an episode about the attempted civilization of Huck in Chapters 1 through 5. It introduces one of the overarching themes of the novel: man vs. society. Huck struggles with the idea of conformity. In the next episode, Huck is removed form civilization by his father. Although he enjoys the freedom of living how he wants, Huck’s father beats him. As a result, Huck sets out in search of his own freedom.
Episode three is comprised of Chapters 8 through 11. Huck teams up with Jim and enters a moral dilemma that involves Huck’s decision to help Jim, a runaway slave, reach freedom. Chapters 12 through 15 compose the fourth episode; the relationship between Huck and Jim develops further. Huck realizes that Jim cares deeply about him, and it becomes evident that Huck has developed a liking for him as well. Huck and Jim also struggle with decisions about stealing and lying.
Chapters 16 through 18, episode five, create a parody of romance novels reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. Huck discovers the dangers of conforming to society by witnessing the needles death of his new friend, Buck. Then, in episode six (chapters 19 and 20), Huck struggles with whether or not to intervene in the conmen’s schemes. While Jim believes the story of the conmen, Huck questions their legitimacy showing a deeper insight.
Episode seven (chapters 21-23) demonstrates that society is a façade, and mobs are used to gather courage. Chapters 24 through 30 emphasize the importance of honesty as Huck learns that swindling is dangerous and immoral. Then, Huck continues to deal with his moral dilemma of helping Jim in the eighth episode. Ultimately, Huck negates societal expectations and decides that Jim is “worth going to hell for.”
The final episode provides an image of Huck’s growth towards independence. Chapters 34 through 43 show Huck coming to Jim’s defense by insisting he is real person who is “white-inside”. Even in the final moments, Huck throws off societal expectations by running away from Aunt Sally’s attempt at adopting him. He sets out for the west and ultimate freedom.
Satire
Twain famously uses subtle satire to communicate his social commentary. The rich comedy of his narrative is undercut by a seriousness and darkness that provide his characters and plots with ambivalence. Throughout the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain uses Huck to comment on society and civilization. Huck dislikes the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson and can’t bear to return to a life that he hates. Human cruelty consistently takes center stage in Huck and Jim’s adventures. They come across several murdered people, the duke and the dauphin are tarred and feathered, and the feuding families create their own tragedy.
Twain also ridicules Romantic Literature. Tom Sawyer values adventure over practicality by abandoning common senses with a preposterous plan to rescue Jim. Huck suggests that they simply unlock the shed and run away. However, Tom responds, “Well, it it ain’t just like you, Huck Finn. You can get up the infant-schooliest ways of going at a thing. Why hain’t you ever read any books at all? Whoever heard of getting a prisoner loose in such an old-maidy way as that?” Tom’s ridiculously absurd plan nearly gets them killed.
One of Twain’s unique literary features is his frequent and unadulterated use of dialect. Dialect is the distinctive way that a group of people from a local area speaks. In a note written as a foreword, Twain explains his use of various dialects: “Without it many readers would suppose that all these characters were trying to talk alike and not succeeding” (pg. 5). For Twain, it was very important that he authentically capture the way people actually talked. The use of dialects serves as a tool of characterization and reinforces the setting of the book (pre-Civil War South).
Each dialect is distinct and can be demonstrated with a basic comparison between Huck’s and Jim’s method of speech. Huck’s vernacular is filled with colloquialisms and altered words characterized by improper contractions, misplaced and misspelled words to place emphasis on his accent. Jim’s dialect, on the other hand, is noticeably different. Words are condensed together, flipped, or missing to create a thicker accent. “Say, who is you? Whar is you? Dog my cats ef I didn' hear sumf'n. Well, I know what I's gwyne to do: I's gwyne to set down here and listen tell I hears it agin.” (ch 2, p. 8). Occasionally, the dialects are difficult to understand because of their strength. It forces the reader to slow down and become one with the story.
Episodic Structure
Twain also employs an episodic plot structure made up of a series of smaller stories linked together. Each small story contains its own purpose, plot, and subtext that engage the reader. Although the episodes are significantly distinct, together they form a unified plot that illuminates the characters and their values. Each episode includes rich descriptions, humor, and suspense that engage the reader. This episodic structure emphasizes Huck’s moral development and growth.
The novel begins with an episode about the attempted civilization of Huck in Chapters 1 through 5. It introduces one of the overarching themes of the novel: man vs. society. Huck struggles with the idea of conformity. In the next episode, Huck is removed form civilization by his father. Although he enjoys the freedom of living how he wants, Huck’s father beats him. As a result, Huck sets out in search of his own freedom.
Episode three is comprised of Chapters 8 through 11. Huck teams up with Jim and enters a moral dilemma that involves Huck’s decision to help Jim, a runaway slave, reach freedom. Chapters 12 through 15 compose the fourth episode; the relationship between Huck and Jim develops further. Huck realizes that Jim cares deeply about him, and it becomes evident that Huck has developed a liking for him as well. Huck and Jim also struggle with decisions about stealing and lying.
Chapters 16 through 18, episode five, create a parody of romance novels reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. Huck discovers the dangers of conforming to society by witnessing the needles death of his new friend, Buck. Then, in episode six (chapters 19 and 20), Huck struggles with whether or not to intervene in the conmen’s schemes. While Jim believes the story of the conmen, Huck questions their legitimacy showing a deeper insight.
Episode seven (chapters 21-23) demonstrates that society is a façade, and mobs are used to gather courage. Chapters 24 through 30 emphasize the importance of honesty as Huck learns that swindling is dangerous and immoral. Then, Huck continues to deal with his moral dilemma of helping Jim in the eighth episode. Ultimately, Huck negates societal expectations and decides that Jim is “worth going to hell for.”
The final episode provides an image of Huck’s growth towards independence. Chapters 34 through 43 show Huck coming to Jim’s defense by insisting he is real person who is “white-inside”. Even in the final moments, Huck throws off societal expectations by running away from Aunt Sally’s attempt at adopting him. He sets out for the west and ultimate freedom.
Satire
Twain famously uses subtle satire to communicate his social commentary. The rich comedy of his narrative is undercut by a seriousness and darkness that provide his characters and plots with ambivalence. Throughout the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain uses Huck to comment on society and civilization. Huck dislikes the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson and can’t bear to return to a life that he hates. Human cruelty consistently takes center stage in Huck and Jim’s adventures. They come across several murdered people, the duke and the dauphin are tarred and feathered, and the feuding families create their own tragedy.
Twain also ridicules Romantic Literature. Tom Sawyer values adventure over practicality by abandoning common senses with a preposterous plan to rescue Jim. Huck suggests that they simply unlock the shed and run away. However, Tom responds, “Well, it it ain’t just like you, Huck Finn. You can get up the infant-schooliest ways of going at a thing. Why hain’t you ever read any books at all? Whoever heard of getting a prisoner loose in such an old-maidy way as that?” Tom’s ridiculously absurd plan nearly gets them killed.