[PDF] Examining anti-romantic themes in Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain

14327_1837240_examining_anti_romantic_them.pdf Examining anti-romantic themes in Huckleberry Finn, by

Mark Twain

by Isaiah Paul

Historically, critical humor has proven effective in drawing attention to social and cultural issues. Modern

examples include late night television programs hosted by comedians such as Jay Leno and David

Letterman. During these shows, audiences are often left in stitchesas it wereas politicians, actors,

musicians, cultures, and ad infinitum are humorously excoriated for real or perceived idiocy. Such humor

accomplishes at least two purposes: (1) the audience is entertained, and (2) the audience is made to

think about the person or issue that is the target of the humorist's joke. Among American writers, Mark

Twain is perhaps the most notable example of one who effectively used critical humor to satirize

American society. Nothing, it seems, escaped his acrid pen. Issues such as religion, slavery, and human

foibles received equal attention. This essay, however, will focus on Mark Twain's literary thrashing of

Romanticism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

According to one of Uncle Silas' slaves, "people dat's sot, stays sot; dey won't look into nothn' en fine it

out f'r deysleves, en when you fine it out en tell um bout it, dey doan' b'lieve you" (312). So it is with the

irrational belief of the American people in the idealized world of the romantics, at least according to Mark

Twain. Through Tom's ludicrous preparations to free Jim, Twain is telling the American people the truth

about romanticism, at least as he sees it. In other words, he hopes people will notice that it is romanticism

that causes Tom's irrationality and, likewise, much of the irrational thought that exists in the United States.

For example, a simple, realistic plan to free Jim would not suffice; such "warn't romantical enough for Tom

Sawyer" (310). For him, "It don't make no difference how foolish [the plan] is," because he has "read all

the books that gives any information about these things," and the books indicate "no other way";

therefore, the romantic way must be "the right way" (316). Similarly, Americans have naively accepted the

romanticized views of certain authors simply because these views are written in books.

Not only does Twain satirize America's irrational infatuation with the ideal, he also attempts to drive the

point home by exposing the absurdity of romantic thought. Huck's plan to free Jim using a stolen key and

then slipping away on the raft under the cover of darkness is sound; it makes sense; it is realistic, but,

according to Tom, "it's too blame simple; there ain't nothing to it" (309). In other words, Huck's plan is not

ideal. A proper plan, indeed a romantic plan, must have "difficulties," even if one has to "inventthe

difficulties," because "there's more honor in getting [Jim] out through a lot of difficulties and

dangers" (313). Twain is accusing the romantics of literary fabrication for the sake of interest. Instead of

writing realistically, the romantics place their characters in impossible, unrealistic situations just to give

their stories appeal. In other words, the romantics lie. Romantic lies are what cause Tom to insist on

sawing through the bed post instead of raising the bed to free Jim's chain; romantic lies are what cause

Tom to insist on digging under the shed to reach Jim instead of just unlocking the door and allowing him

to walk free; romantic lies are what cause Tom to insist that Jim keep exotic pets and water a flower with

his tears; romantic lies are what cause Tom to insist on countless other absurd tasks that make absolutely

no sense. Twain humorously argues that a steady diet of idealized literature has resulted in the American

people accepting the commonality of the absurd, just as Tom has. Stated differently, Americans have

erroneously equated the absurd with reality. Consequently, Twain's fellow citizens interpret their lives

according to the ideal, which can only result in disappointment.

Mark Twain also exposes the danger of romantic thought in the boys' attempt to spring Jim from captivity.

This danger is hinted at when Huck comments on Tom's plan: "it [Tom's plan] was worth fifteen of mine,

for style, and would make Jim just as free a man as mine would, and maybe get us all killed

besides" (309). Remember, Tom is guided by what he has read in romantic literature; he is acting out the Page 1 of 2Helium - Where Knowledge Rules

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absurd "because some of the best authorities has done it" (314). According to Tom, if it is in a book it has

to be true. Rational thought, however, would naturally choose Huck's plan over Tom's plan; it is simpler,

safer, more manageable, and would make Jim "just as free a man" as Tom's plan would. Nevertheless,

such is not done in books; therefore, Huck's plan must be wrong, at least in Huck's mind. Huck is guided

by romantic "style," regardless of the dangers, simply because it is romantic. It is this style that demands

Jim have a "dumb pet," and Tom believes that a rattlesnake will add to the "glory" of the affair. Naturally,

Jim is not interested in glory that requires petting a rattlesnake. Tom assures Jim that if he shows the

snake kindness the snake would not hurt him, because "Any book will tell you that" (326). In addition, it is

romantic style that demands Tom scare the Phelps family with nonnamous letters' warning them that a

band of "cutthroats from over in the Ingean Territory" was going to steal Jim (331). Of course the fake

theft has to occur on the night Tom plans to free Jim; it adds to the style, after all. On the night of the

planned escape, an armed posse is lying in wait for the "cutthroats." Before the night is through, Tom

ends up shot by the posse and nearly dies. The fact that Tom knew beforehand that Miss Watson had

already freed Jim, only heightens the absurdity of Tom's actions. In an effort to pay obeisance to the gods

of romanticism, Tom needlessly endangers the lives of several people. In Mark Twain's view, however,

such is to be expected when people feast upon the lie that is idealism.

Mark Twain's hatred for the romantic ideal was absolute. To him, it negatively affected the American

consciousness, it was absurd, it endangered lives, and it deserved no quarter. Twain's realistic tendencies demanded that he engage the romantics in open warfare. This he did in The Adventures of

Huckleberry Finn, and with tremendous effect.

Works Cited

Twain, Mark. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin." The American Tradition in Literature. Ed. George Perkins and Barbara Perkins. 11th ed. Boston:

McGrawHill, 2007. 172-343.

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