Krish Kamdar

Both novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn were written by Mark Twain. From reading just the first chapters of each book, I can attest to these novels depicting the picaresque. As we have seen throughout the previous readings we have seen at least one central character that represents them against the social norm. From Lazarillo’s episodic stages of adventures with his different masters to Vladimir’s and Estragon’s uncertain future filled with constant waiting for Godot we have encountered the picaresque. But in these novels, we see it set in the mid-19^th century, in mid-west America where the society expects more of these boys in their ages. In American literature, both Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are known to be the most famous duo, but not because of their similarities but rather because they are foils – opposites – of each of other. In fact, they are opposites in basic living situations and in ways in which they view the world. Tom lives in a civilized household with his aunt who loves him, who is tolerant of his childish pranks, with his silly shenanigans, and who is deeply concerned about his welfare as she mentions, “I ain’t doing my duty by that boy, and that’s the Lord’s truth, goodness knows… I’m a laying up sin and suffering for us both, I know… He’s my own dead sister’s boy, poor thing, and I ain’t got the heart to lash him, somehow. Every time I let him off, my conscience does hurt me so, and every time I hit him my old heart most breaks” (10). In contrast, Huck Finn is alone, has no home, and similarly acts like an orphan such as Tom.

Even though we are only able to get a glimpse into the beginning of the novels, I have previously read and seen parts of the novel in the movie adaptations. From those I can generalize some of the vast contrasts between both the characters. While Tom sleeps in a comfortable bed at night, Huck might be found sleeping in someone’s barn or worse. While Tom is served three meals a day, Huck scrounges for food for himself. Even the clothes are vastly different; Tom is typically dressed as a regular schoolboy would be dressed, but Huck wears castoff overalls held up by one buckle, and he is primarily going around barefoot.

Just from these first few scenes we can see the difference in their behavior as a sign of unconformity and distance for social norms. In contrast to Tom, Huck is an outcast from society. Huck thrives on his freedom from restraints that society imposes. He does not abide by the limitations of living in a regular household where there is no smoking and no cursing and where he must wear proper clothes, maintain a curfew, and conform to proper manners, especially table manners. Comparatively, Tom’s life is bound by society, by rules, and by acceptable behavior, Huck’s life is one of freedom; he can come and go as he pleases.

Tom has been envious of Huck’s lifestyle and freedom since they met but it doesn’t turn out the best for Tom under the conditions in which Huck lives in. But Huck, admires Tom’s learned and civilized behavior and willingly follows him in their adventures.

Overall, the entire novels bring light to the picaresque genre in American literature and brings attention to self-reflection and true extent of morality behind the societal laws and traditions.

After reading these sections, I have a couple of questions for the class:

Who do you think was the intended audience for these novels?

In the first chapter of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, why was Aunt Polly being persistent about not eating the jam as if it’s like some forbidden fruit?

For Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, why do you think Twain would choose an adolescent boy to be the narrator of the story compared to a third person omniscient point of view we see in the other novel? How would it help accomplish his purpose?