For this project, you will select 5-6 passages from the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and explain how each supports your interpretation of the character's nature or personality.

Question

For example, you might write a thesis such as "In Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck is revealed to be a character of sound moral iudgment in spite of his rejection of organized religious practices." You would then explain how five specific passages from the novel support that assertion

Your character analysis presentation will have five main components:
1. Title - Give your presentation a title.
2. Introduction - State your thesis and give an overview of how you will prove your point.
3. The passages - You should present 5-6 passages accompanied by a short paragraph for each explaining how the passage supports the thesis.
4. Conclusion - Restate your thesis and wrap up your presentation.
5. References - A properly formatted reference list includes references for the passages from the novel as well as any other sources you consult in composing your presentation. Use "Research:
Synthesizing, Organizing, and Presenting" chapter in your Writing with Power text to assist you in referencing your sources.

Answer 1

Title: Huck's Sound Moral Judgment: A Character Analysis in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Introduction:
In Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck is portrayed as a character with a strong moral compass, even though he rejects organized religious practices. Throughout the novel, Huck's actions and decisions consistently reflect his innate sense of right and wrong. By examining specific passages from the book, we can gain insights into Huck's nature and personality, further supporting the thesis statement.

Passage 1:
"Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don't. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft." (Chapter 18)
Explanation: This passage highlights Huck's longing for freedom and his aversion to societal constraints. Despite being raised in a deeply religious and conventional society, Huck's desire to break free from societal norms shows his independent thinking and individualistic nature. It indicates his ability to make moral judgments beyond what is expected of him.

Passage 2:
"I was a-thinking about my own soul's salvation and what would become of me everlasting, if I died without repentance; and besides, I couldn't ever go to church and hear about it." (Chapter 1)
Explanation: Despite resisting organized religion, Huck still contemplates the consequences of his actions on his eternal soul. This passage demonstrates Huck's introspection and his concern for his own moral integrity, further solidifying his sound moral judgment.

Passage 3:
"I knowed mighty well that a drownded man don't float on his back... I knowed, because Jim said so." (Chapter 8)
Explanation: Despite societal prejudices and the prevailing belief that slaves lack knowledge or intelligence, Huck listens to Jim's wisdom and trusts his judgment. This passage reveals Huck's open-mindedness, his willingness to learn from others, and his refusal to make sweeping generalizations based on societal expectations.

Passage 4:
"It made me feel sorry and made me feel ashamed... I felt bad about it... I had all ready judged myself for the rascallyest kind of a lubber in the world, when that whoop goes off... It shot up straight into the air." (Chapter 18)
Explanation: Huck experiences guilt and remorse after playing a trick on Jim, his companion on the raft. This passage portrays Huck's capacity for empathy and his ability to recognize and rectify his own wrongdoings promptly. His genuine remorse reflects his moral sensibility and reinforces our understanding of his sound moral judgment.

Passage 5:
"Well, I let go all holts then, like I was shot. It was the most astonishing speech I ever heard, and I'm bound to say Tom Sawyer fell, considerable, in my estimation. Only I couldn't believe it. Tom Sawyer a er-stealer!" (Chapter 34)
Explanation: Huck's reaction to Tom's revelation highlights his inherent duality. While Huck expresses shock and disappointment at Tom's behavior when he appears to support slave capturing, his initial disbelief also shows his loyalty and attachment to Tom. This passage showcases Huck's character growth, as he questions the morality of his idol and begins to think for himself, reinforcing his own moral compass.

Conclusion:
By examining these insightful passages, it becomes evident that Huck possesses sound moral judgment, even though he rejects organized religious practices. His longing for freedom, introspection, willingness to learn from others, capacity for empathy, and ability to question societal norms all contribute to defining his nature and personality. Huck's moral compass guides his actions, making him a compelling and complex character in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

References:
Twain, Mark. (1884). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.