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?

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Permalink Reply by Ny'la U. Jones on December 29, 2012 at 9:37pm

Huck is confused when it comes to religion , he seems like the person who listens to your opinion about things but, he still look at the situation how looked at it before . Huck feeds off what Ms.Watson tells him about how real God is.I belive he dosent reject religion ... I think he dosent know how to accept it.. He sees how it heps Ms.Watson but he feel it won't help him, thats why he ask herto pray for him.Jim and Huck both share regret in a way , Jim regrets not having a relationship with his son. Huck regrets how he used to act in the gang life.When he sees Pap he understood that things could really happen

Permalink Reply by Dalia Espinoza on January 1, 2013 at 9:20pm

I agree with Ny'la, Huck does seem confused most of the time because he doesn't know what he wants or what he should believe in. Religion does play a big part in Huck's life, he just needs a way to accept his belief in God.

Permalink Reply by Natalie Paniagua on January 7, 2013 at 4:49pm

I agree with Ny'la because Huck is confused when it comes to religion. He doesn't have much knowledge about God, so he doesn't know what to believe in. When he realizes that what he is doing is wrong is when he actually knows who God really is.

Permalink Reply by Caila Davis on January 7, 2013 at 9:08pm

I agree with you ny'la he doent know how to accept it due to his experiences with it such as the fish hooks as example one

Permalink Reply by Eva Mondragon on December 30, 2012 at 4:32pm

I think that Huck decides to follow the belief system of stories he has heard.He beliefs in superstitions, as he doesn't really understand religion.He does reject religion because it is something he finds confusing and hasn't really been fully explained to him.When Miss Watson told him to pray and he would get what he asked for i guess he took this as praying being some type of magic that would get him the material things he wanted.He Noticed that it wasn't working and this makes him upset. As he moves on he does start getting some type of hope in changing and seeing that what Tom is doing is wrong this might make him think of the "good" and "bad" place Miss Watson told him about. I think that his understanding of religion does tie into his fear of Pap finding him as he has hope that pap doesn't find him. But it also ties into the superstitious nature that he and Jim share because he has decided to believe more in superstitions than religion.Which are both a type of belief.

Permalink Reply by Wesley Graham on January 2, 2013 at 12:48pm

I think you are totally right and that Huck does take prayer as a means for material benifit, when in reality it is used as more of a means for spirtual benifits.

Permalink Reply by Diana Rubio on January 3, 2013 at 10:09pm

I agree with Eva, Huck chooses to believe in superstition more for the fact that he can't grasp an understanding of religion which makes it all that easier for superstition to be more appealing to him.

Permalink Reply by Tessa Escobar on January 4, 2013 at 11:04am

i think you are correct Huck does not understand the true meaning of religion and that is making him not accept it.

Permalink Reply by Cynthia Godinez on January 5, 2013 at 6:47pm

I think Eva is RIGHT

Permalink Reply by Shelby Morris on January 6, 2013 at 10:12am

I think that him believing in superstitions rather than religion is a good point. Especially since he leans more to that type of belief than being religious in some cases.

Permalink Reply by Ana Diaz on January 6, 2013 at 8:44pm

I agree with Eva, Huck believes more in superstitions, since he is confused about religion and prayer. No one has explained to him how prayer really works and he turns to superstitions to answer his question about Pap.

Permalink Reply by Michael M Becton on December 30, 2012 at 8:30pm

Huck rejects religion because he dislikes the rules&conformity of the society and everything that will make him a citizen. Hucks parents (Guardians) tell him what Toms doings aren't right as well as him not really agreeing with tom anyways. Tom teaches huck to follow his first thought and how to become a Leader although him having a leader attitude might get him in wrongful situations,hucks in fear because he hasent given Pap the money and that pap may take him or do soemthing harmful to him.