Huckleberry Finn Reading/ Discussion Question #1

From the opening of the novel and the introduction of Tom Sawyer's gang, there is a different type of understanding painted about who Huckleberry Finn truly is. It becomes obvious when he decides to leave Sawyers gang that the things which are not actual are hard to digest and continue with as a part of everyday life. While the tale of Huckleberry Finn exposes many themes, Huck's encounter with religion in the beginning of the novel unfolds. Huck, being a completely practical young boy, struggles with grasping an understanding of religion. As Miss Watson tries to steer him to a true understanding of prayer and the benefits of it, Huck considered the concept but still takes everything at face value, due to his literal nature. Miss Watson's situation, the widow and his fish hooks cause him to think about whether or not prayer is real.

Some may say that his literal mindset has difficulty with beliefs that some things, on the surface, appear to be impractical or untrue. Then there are others who suggest that the comparing and contrasting of the religions of his guardians, Miss Watson and Widow Douglas, may play a major role in his understanding, or misunderstanding of religion. While Huck begins to see that religion in practiced differently, he has to make a choice on which one best fits his beliefs and personality.

In the beginning of the novel, Twain establishes a contrast between Tom and Huck. Huck's views of religion tie into this contrast as well. He views Tom's imagination as a dead ringer for Miss Watson's ideals on religion; he distrusts the superficial nature of both. Although he does not understand the nature of prayer, he does realize that it has a purpose in his path that helps him grow.

Consider which belief system he chooses to follow and why? In your opinion, does Huck reject religion? Also, consider how the religious belief that he moves away from ties into his views on Tom and helps him to move forward in his journey. How does his understanding of religion tie into, or not, his fear of Pap finding him and the superstitious nature that he and Jim share?

3 members like this

Replies are closed for this discussion.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Melissa on January 4, 2013 at 12:51am

I agree with Isabel about hucks accepting religion but doesnt think its right for him. At first Hucks was excited about Moses and wanted to learn more about him. When Huck thinks its not right for him I believe its because it gose aginst what he has leard from Tom and he realized that.This is why he is confused overall and himself.

In what way does tom still acceputs Huck?

Permalink Reply by Shelby Morris on January 3, 2013 at 5:03pm

Huck rejects religion since he sees it has no meaning to what is actually going on around him. He thinks that praying over things that "warn't really anything the matter with them" to be odd. He rejects prayer and other such things because he's not sure what to make of it. His not understanding of it influences how he perceives the idea of religion. I don't believe his fear of Pap ties into his ideas of religion, since its not really possible to pray and his father won't come for him. Although being superstitious is possible to be a belief I don't think it is truly a reflection of Huck's view on religion

Permalink Reply by Eva Mondragon on January 3, 2013 at 7:00pm

You are right Shelby, Huck does reject prayer because he'd not sure what to make of it this goes to show how much religion has confused him. when he was told to pray and he would get anything he took it as praying for material things when it doesn't really work that way.

Permalink Reply by Cebrinah Galvan on January 4, 2013 at 2:53pm

I completely agree with you Shelby, its really hard to try and find yourself with god when you have no idea what going on around you. which explains why he doesn't really add thought to his religious beliefs.

Permalink Reply by Cynthia Godinez on January 3, 2013 at 5:48pm

I don't believe Huck rejects religion.Religion means to follow one's own personal beliefs or value and in the book it shows he does have much of this because he in fact does have values.When he found out his father was coming he went running to Judge Thatcher telling him to take all his fotune because he knows that his father will force him to spend it and tells him to take it so he won't have to tell any lies .So therefore in a sense he does accept religion ,But does not specifically choose one in general.The religious belief i think he moves away from is the concept of heaven and hell.That following a series of rules will take him to the 'Good place',which he sees no point in going ,But i think he wouldn't mind going to either heaven or hell as long as Tom his firend would be there

Permalink Reply by Eva Mondragon on January 3, 2013 at 6:56pm

I agree Cynthia I also think that Huck in a sense accepts religion but doesn't choose one in general. I think this is because religion hasn't been explained fully throughout which makes him confused.

Permalink Reply by Cynthia Godinez on January 5, 2013 at 6:58pm

And I agree with Eva to agree with Cynthia :).........Also .........yet seriously I REALLY like your awesome response Eva to the question if you see this it blew my mind.....
-Cynthia over and out

Permalink Reply by Diana Rubio on January 3, 2013 at 10:01pm

Huck rejects religion near the beginning of the story because he is stubborn and doesn't think it will do much for him. He does not understand therefor he chooses not to believe or try to understand what it can do for him. That is why it is easier for him to believe in superstitions, I think he believes they can benefit him more but as the story goes on he starts to get an idea of how religion and prayer work so I don't think he rejects religion because of the benefits but because of the lack of knowledge he carries about it. God puts obstacles in front of you much like he put pap as an obstacle for Huck.

Permalink Reply by Braelin Evans on January 3, 2013 at 11:52pm

I agree, Huck rejects religion Huck rejects religion in the beginning because he believes it only benefits other people. Huck knows deep inside that what Tom does is wrong. He constantly disagrees with Toms decisions. Tom helps Hick realize that his follower attitude will get him no were. Huck fears pap because he is abusive and a alcoholic. Pap shows up in Hucks room demanding the money Huck gave to the judge. He looks to an unworldly source to find answers and comfort with the Pap situation. This shows that he has some sense of religious yearn. Jim states that Pap and Huck have" two guardian angels over them". One angel represents the devil and one God. In every decision Pap and Huck make it shows what their character is, Godly or devilish. Sometimes God tests you and pap was a test for Huck to see whether he believed or not, which he did.

Permalink Reply by Melissa on January 4, 2013 at 12:25am

Huck decides to follow the belief system of literature; he depends on it because as child he never had his parents around. I believe Huckleberry is confused about religion instead of rejecting it. He mentions in the book, how fascinated he was to learn more about Moses until he found out Moses was dead years ago. Huck didn’t see anything interesting in learning about dead people. Once Huckleberry enters more into Tom’s world he begins to doubt Tom’s ideas and action’s. This leads to Huck always question Tom when he didn’t agree. Therefor Huck uses the knowledge he has learned from the bible to guide himself to the right path. The fear of pap finding him does tie into religion in some sort of way. Huckleberry is scare of pap for the abusive and aggressive way he always treated Huck. Jim superstitious nature influence more of Huck’s fear when Jim told Huck about his pap having 2 angles, a good and a bad, but he’s uncertain which angel will win out.Thats were religion plays a part in his fear of pap.

Permalink Reply by Ana Diaz on January 6, 2013 at 8:55pm

I agree with Melissa, Huck follows the way of literature when the gang decide to kill and rob people like in the books. Although they didn't know what ransomed meant they wanted to do it just because it was in the books.

Permalink Reply by Jose Carlos Ramrez Mier on January 4, 2013 at 9:19am

Huck believes in the old ways when he used to smoke,cuss and trow salt over his shoulder and is getting used to religion and school little by little. He does not reject religion but misunderstands it.When Huck was educated he wasn't paralyzed by fear when he saw his father, since he started to get the idea of religion he starts to fear a little less.Since he doesn't fully understand religion he is influences by jims superstition.