In the book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck has a strong sense of compassion and empathy for others throughout the story. These qualities are something Huck seems to have chosen to display towards others. This part of Huck is so important to his character and the story. In this story Huck has a cruel and irresponsible father. Though in many instances throughout the book we see Huck make good decisions, and be kind to others. This is an effect of Huck’s decision to be kind even when his father was not kind to him.
An example of Huck’s fathers cruelty: “Every little while he locked me in and went down to the store, three miles, to the ferry, and traded fish and game for whiskey, and fetched it home and got drunk and had a good time, and licked me.” (p. 24) An example of Huck’s kindness is: “Huck. I-I run off.” “Jim!” “But mind, you said you wouldn’t tell – you know you said you wouldn’t tell, Huck.” Well I did. I said I wouldn’t, and I’ll stick to it…… I ain’t going to tell, and I a-ain’t going back there, anyways. (p. 43)
In the first quote, Huck states his father would lock him up to go for whiskey. Then come home and get drunk and hurt Huck. In this we see pap’s great irresponsibility and cruelty towards his son. In the second quote Huck decides to stick to his word and Help Jim escape to freedom. In this action Huck is risking his own safety to help his friend become safe. This is a conscious, and risky choice Huck makes. And it proves Huck chooses to help others even though his own father was never much help to him. Huck has an overpowering desire to make the right decisions and do the right thing. He hates to feel guilty and will do nearly anything to ease any guilt he may be feeling.
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An example of Huck’s sense to do whats right is:“Jim said it made him all over trembley and feverish to be so close to freedom. Well, I can tell you it made me all over trembley and feverish, too, to hear him, because I begun to get it through my head that he was most free and who was to blame for it? Why, me. I couldn’t get that out of my conscience, no how nor no way.” ….What had poor Miss. Watson done to you that you that you could see her nigger go of right from under you eyes and never say a single word?” (p. 87)
In this part of the story, whether it was really right or wrong, Huck starts to believe he has done a terrible thing by bringing Jim so close to freedom. He cannot get the thought out of his head. This shows readers that Huck wants to do whats right. Though he may not always know what’s right. There is also a sense of empathy towards towards Miss. Watson for sneaking her slave out of town. He thinks he’s done wrong to this woman and does not like the feeling. Huck has extreme empathy for others in the book.
It could be said that he thoroughly enjoys to be there for others, and looks for opportunity. An example of Huck’s empathy for others is: “But she had stopped now with a folded gown in her lap, and her face in her hands, crying. I felt awful bad to see it; of course anybody would. I went in there and says: “Miss Mary Jane, you can’t a-bear to see people in trouble, and I can’t-most always. Tell me about it.” (p. 185)
In this part of the book, readers are drawn to Huck for his empathy towards Mary Jane’s situation. Huck’s kind heart and empathy is something that is unique of the people in this world Twain has created. As these points prove, Huckleberry Finn is a compassionate and empathetic character. One to be admired and respected. Despite his flaws, his heart is kind.
These attributes of Huck are what makes this story so attractive to readers. Without Huck’s compassion, his fancy for twisting the truth would overcome his character. His kindness is a much needed part of him. The part that helps Jim, and Mary Jane. The part that forgave his father for his cruelty. And the part that overcame the messed up world around him with compassion.
