Narrator
In many ways, the literary movements and philosophies of determinism and individualism are opposites of one another. Determinism is one of the facets of Naturalism, and is based on the idea that things happen due to causes and effects largely out of the control of people and that choice is ultimately an illusion. Individualism, however, is widely based on the idea of free will and the fact that people can take action to control their surroundings and their fates in life. Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie provides an excellent example of determinist literature and is based on the critical ideas of amorality and environmental factors controlling a person's fate, while Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an example of individualism and illustrates the idea that a person can take action to make his or her own fate.
Dreiser's work chronicles the rise to
Meeber's ascent is typical of many determinist principles -- she does not necessarily take action that improves her fate, an unusual series of events actually produces this effect for her. Additionally, she is considerably amoral -- especially for the time period in which Dreiser's work was first published -- and engages in extramarital sex which happens to aid her rise to wealth and power. Still, environmental factors that are outside of her control largely help her to become rich and powerful. For instance, she happens to meet a benefactor in Charles Drouet who considerably assists her move from a small town to metropolitan Chicago and provides financial necessities for her to become empowered and financially stable. Granted, she does accept his gifts (such as when he provides her a coat and a hat during harsh winter conditions) (Dreiser), but she does not actively seek them, which is highly indicative of determinism. This fact, along with Meeber's immorality and dissatisfaction with the material trappings of wealth, helps to characterize this novel as…
In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain provides poignant social commentary about the institution of slavery as well as about racism. Huck's tentative love for Jim illustrates that although he felt a moral obligation to help Jim that Huck was not immune from the prevailing beliefs in white supremacy that characterize the social context of the novel. Huckleberry Finn's historical context is therefore the pre-Civil War Southern society. In addition to
Jim in Mark Twain's The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn Broadly speaking, the character of Jim in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, represents the role of slavery in the society of the 1840's. Slavery and the struggle for freedom are the central concerns of both Huck and Jim as they make their way through the adventures depicted by the novel. For Jim the threat of slavery is physical, as he
Huck Finn Jim and Huck: A Relationship in Spite of Race As Leslie Gregory points out in "Finding Jim," Twain used the "minstrel mask" as a stereotypical platform upon which to base one of the central characters of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. And yet behind the "mask" is a very human and humane man, who, in spite of a tendency towards superstition, acts as a kind of father figure to Huck,
Miss Watson and the widow continue to be contrasted in their softening and controlling qualities, but neither provides incentive to stay. Women are further seen as evidence of success in civilization, not just something that is available there. Chapter 17: Betsy provides light for Huck's nighttime arrival (128). Rachel is the first to show concern for Huck, specifically his appetite (130). Huck sees a painting depicting a young lady, the content
His personalized learning goes entirely against the societal norm of the day. During Huck's era most free citizens still saw the Negro as an inferior being, not even human enough to consider as an intelligent entity, rather they are considered as property, and property has not rights, no feelings and no hopes, dreams or fears. In an early chapter in the book, Huck sells his fortune to the Judge for
After striking off down the river, he has many encounters with various townspeople that cause him to question whether or not this is a society he truly wants a place in. Two of the most memorable characters he meets are the King and the Duke, who do nothing but swindle the people they meet and attempt to control Huck. They even sell Jim, and Huck determines to leave them.
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