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Symbolism in Huck Finn

Symbolism in Huck Finn. Class Discussion and Analysis. Discussion: Symbolism. Review: Symbol is a person, place, object, or activity that stands for something outside itself . It has a deeper meaning beyond its surface meaning.

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Symbolism in Huck Finn

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  1. Symbolism in Huck Finn Class Discussion and Analysis

  2. Discussion: Symbolism • Review: Symbol is a person, place, object, or activity that stands for something outside itself. It has a deeper meaning beyond its surface meaning. • A literary symbol takes on its meaning within the context of a particular book.

  3. Symbols: Continued • In Huck Finn, much of the novel derives its power from two central symbols: the river and the shore.

  4. The River • Most readers see the river as representing freedom. • Both Jim and Huck are running to find freedom.

  5. The River • For Jim, freedom is concrete--it means he would no longer be a slave and property, but a free man. He can literally float to freedom, to a state which does not allow slavery.

  6. The River • For Huck, freedom is more abstract--it means he will not have to deal with the constraints of society. • He can get away from the burdens of having to wear formal clothes, go to school, and be beaten by his father. • Twain makes the river the way to achieve their goals.

  7. The Shore • The shore, by contrast, seems to represent civilization and all the problematic people who live in it.

  8. The Shore • It is on the shore, among “civilized” society, that slavery and abuse take place • Pap and the slave hunters • the Grangerfords and their feud • lynching parties • the Duke and the King

  9. Symbolism • What are some other symbols you can identify in the text? How are these symbols carried throughout the story? • How do these symbols relate to the following thematic topics: • Freedom vs. conformity • Morality: Individual vs. societal

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