In Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the protagonist, Huck, is greatly influenced by four people: Widow Douglas, Tom Sawyer, Pap, and Jim.
Widow Douglas directly affects Huck because she teaches him the importance of him getting an education, and the values of the bible. She indirectly affects him because when she’s not around he still thinks about his actions and whether or not they were good for him and the people around him. An example of the Widow affecting him indirectly can be found on page 56 when Huck says, “I wished the Widow knowed about it. I judged she would be proud of me for helping these rapscallions.”
Tom Sawyer also affects Huck but in a more negative way. Directly, Tom Sawyer encourages Huck that doing the wrong things is okay. Indirectly, Huck thinks about his actions and thinks of how “proud” Tom would be if he was there with him. An example of Tom Sawyer affecting Huck directly can be found on page 6 when Tom says, “Oh certainly. It’s best. Some authorities think different, but mostly it’s considered best to kill them.”
Pap directly effects Huck by telling him that he doesn’t need to get his education and is criticizing him on anything good he has in his life right now. Indirectly, Pap doesn’t really affect Huck anymore because he never meant that much to him in the first place, and his opinion never brought Huck down. An example of Pap effecting Huck directly can be found on page 15 when Pap says, “And looky here- you drop that school, you hear?”
Finally, Jim only has a direct effect on Huck when he gives him helpful advice, and helps him start to believe in the good and bad things that could come of luck. An example of Jim giving Huck advice can be found on page 14 when Jim says, “You wants to keep ‘way fum de water as much as you kin, en don’t run no risk, kase its down en de bills dat yous gwyne to git hung.”
Without these key influences in his life, Huck would be a very different person.
Widow Douglas directly affects Huck because she teaches him the importance of him getting an education, and the values of the bible. She indirectly affects him because when she’s not around he still thinks about his actions and whether or not they were good for him and the people around him. An example of the Widow affecting him indirectly can be found on page 56 when Huck says, “I wished the Widow knowed about it. I judged she would be proud of me for helping these rapscallions.”
Tom Sawyer also affects Huck but in a more negative way. Directly, Tom Sawyer encourages Huck that doing the wrong things is okay. Indirectly, Huck thinks about his actions and thinks of how “proud” Tom would be if he was there with him. An example of Tom Sawyer affecting Huck directly can be found on page 6 when Tom says, “Oh certainly. It’s best. Some authorities think different, but mostly it’s considered best to kill them.”
Pap directly effects Huck by telling him that he doesn’t need to get his education and is criticizing him on anything good he has in his life right now. Indirectly, Pap doesn’t really affect Huck anymore because he never meant that much to him in the first place, and his opinion never brought Huck down. An example of Pap effecting Huck directly can be found on page 15 when Pap says, “And looky here- you drop that school, you hear?”
Finally, Jim only has a direct effect on Huck when he gives him helpful advice, and helps him start to believe in the good and bad things that could come of luck. An example of Jim giving Huck advice can be found on page 14 when Jim says, “You wants to keep ‘way fum de water as much as you kin, en don’t run no risk, kase its down en de bills dat yous gwyne to git hung.”
Without these key influences in his life, Huck would be a very different person.
