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 jesus garcia on January 5, 2013 at 7:16pm

I agree with Emma because after Huck prayed and got only a fish-line but no hooks and when the widow told him to forget about himself and think about others he put praying off aside and went on with his life

Permalink Reply by Jr on January 6, 2013 at 3:25am

Hicks interest in religion lacks because he has never believed in religion. He has never been shown what religion has. When he' makes a choice, his belief either gets stronger or weaker wen in this case hucks belief In religion is strong yet lacking. He knows that what Tom does is wrong and disobeys with the religion. Huck is lost and needs guidance. Pap is a character that is how we can say is a demon in this case? And Huck is being chased by him. In a sense that This makes Huck change his ways and go on with religion.

Permalink Reply by Clinton King on January 6, 2013 at 3:31am

Huck feels as though accepting religion would be like giving up everything he has ever known. Although he knows it is the right thing to do, he keeps on making decisions that could change his thoughts at any moment. Also, by knowing what Tom is doing, he automatically shuns him for the actions he is making. Then Pap comes into play by making Huck skiddish, and in some way, helping lead him more towards religion.

Permalink Reply by Melissa on January 6, 2013 at 4:20pm

I agree with Clinton about Huck acceptting would be like giving up everything he has ever known. All his life he had to live for himself and them someone all of a sudden care for him and try to teach him thing he never heard of.

Permalink Reply by jamarcus jamal eafon on January 6, 2013 at 3:13pm

Huck rejects prayer because he was not sure if his prayers would be answered to show how much religion has confused him. In the beginning he lets the things he learned lead him down the correct road, with help from his family. Huck knows what Tom Sawyer was does is wrong,and he knew better.

Permalink Reply by Clinton King on January 6, 2013 at 4:23pm

I also agree with Jamarcus' first statement where he talks about how Huck was not sure his prayers would be answered. At the beginning of chapter 3, he was taken into a closet by Miss Watson to pray, but he said that nothing had come of it. Also, later on it shows that Huck took what Miss Watson was saying the wrong way and believed that he should pray to get worldly desires such as the hooks for the fishing pole.

Permalink Reply by Ana Diaz on January 6, 2013 at 8:38pm

Huck's confusion towards religion leads him to reject it. He doesn't understand why religion would benefit someone else and him and he decides to reject religion.He knows that what Tom does is wrong and confuses him more about religion, since Tom is disobeying religion. His understanding of religion doesn't tie into the situation with Pap since he turns to Jim and his hairball to find out what were Pap's plans.

Permalink Reply by Cheyene Nichole Giles on January 7, 2013 at 8:43am

i disagree, the whole situation with pap. It has everything to do with his search for the true meaning of religion. if he doesnt believe in the two angels that are watching over him then he wouldnt believe in miss watsons whole concept of religion

Permalink Reply by Camren Barentine on January 6, 2013 at 8:39pm

Huck does reject religion at the beginning due to his inability to see things spiritually.. He chooses to follow his own system of belief, which is to follow others to a certain extent. We see this when he constantly follows Tom's actions until he feels that what he's doing is wrong, or he has a better way of doing it. The fact that Huck has been told about God tells us, the reader, that he understands the religious beliefs, but just simply doesn't want to follow them. His understanding of the religion ties into his fear of Pap finding him when he asks Jim about his father's motifs after finding the shoe print in the ground and Jim tells him he has one black angel and one white. One good and one bad, it is the fact that Huck can see the "magic hairball" that makes him believe what Jim is saying is true.

Permalink Reply by Cheyene Nichole Giles on January 7, 2013 at 8:39am

I agree with the part that he rejects religion. But about the one angel being black and white, its not only that their good and bad but also they bring to characterazation( yea i spelled that wrong) that of the devil and that of God himself.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Eden on January 6, 2013 at 9:27pm

In my opinion, I think the belief system Huck will choose is going to be Widow Douglas' faith in God, due to the hospatality she provided in Huck's time of need and through the belief in which he will succeed in his learning of school and in faith. Huck does not simply reject religion but, he finds it hard to accept new ideas without thinking through them and wonders if such a god will accept his bad qualities. Through Huck's understanding of religion, he is willing to try anything in which his prayers are not being answered by God, such as going to Jim who posses a giant, magical hairball that came from an ox's stomach that holds the answers Huck is trying to seek about his father and why he is looking for him.

Permalink Reply by Jzisnsu dndowmb on January 7, 2013 at 6:26am

In the beginning, I believe Huck rejects religion because he feels as if religion isn't for a person like him. He's very confused about pretty much everything in his life. He believes that the whole concept of a religion really doesn't fit into his life. But then again, he doesnt reject it. Its just hard for him to believe in it, due to the fact that he had strong disbelief in it. He's just confused about all beliefs and has fear that Pap will find him and take his money.