This is Nicole English coming to you from the Sociology Department at Fort Hays State University for HPPR's Book-Bytes....
This is a discussion of the book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, as a picaresque novel (or novela picaresca).
Written in 1884, (and for adults, not children), this book has all the attributes of a classic picaresque novel. Typically written in first-person voice, a picaresque novel has an outsider anti-hero as its protagonist, someone who lives outside the norms of society and is thus poised to question and critique cultural customs and social class expectations.
A picaresque novel allows the reader to explore the social norms in society by violating those norms, described by sociologists as deviance or deviant behavior. Having outlets (such as novels or entertainment), allows us to challenge, question, and/or justify social norms. This kind of resistance to social norms serves as a safety valve, allowing societies to re-evaluate, experiment, adapt, and adjust social norms in order for society to continue to exist.
Mark Twain achieves this questioning of existing social norms in the narrative of Huck Finn, where he questions the norms of social class, poverty, racism, slavery, and even the literary rules of language, all wrapped up in an adventure tale that serves as entertaining social commentary.
As the story opens, Huck Finn lives his life as a young vagabond… carefree, unconventional, and unrestrained by society. Unencumbered by responsibilities, Huck becomes a runaway, when threatened, leaving behind all that is familiar to him. He escapes on a raft floating down the Mississippi River, which becomes not only a thoroughfare, but also a symbol of the twists and turns that emerge in life during his adventures.
He soon hooks up with Jim, a runaway slave, and soon they become close friends. Their discussions during their journey reflect their parallel situations…. their similarities and differences in their status… and their relative positions and agency in society. These discussions allow the characters to present social commentary on social class, power, entitlements, and what constitutes social justice.
Despite their course language and rude behavior, they demonstrate the virtues of loyalty, courage, cleverness, and good intentions, which enable them to persevere against the odds and avoid the snares of a corrupt and unforgiving society.
After numerous, convoluted misadventures, they are able to rise above their misfortunes and return home with hope for the future. The river which enabled their escape becomes a metaphor for their experiences and survival.
Again, from a sociological perspective, this book is a classic picaresque novel, which presents relevant social commentary of its day, and which still resonates today. Although written for adults, the book, and its film adaptations, would also appeal to a younger audience (given the appropriate context).
Anyone interested in historical novels, issues of race, ethnicity, social class, and adventuresome narratives should revisit this book.
Enjoy Reading. Again, this is Nicole English from the Sociology Department at Fort Hays State University wishing you happy Book-Bytes!
