Huck Finn

One of the key elements in Twain's Huckleberry Finn is diction, and more importantly, dialect. The dialect not only reflects the southern jargin of the time but it is also used to reflect Huck's ignorance in various situations. As I read, I also began to view Huck's ignorance as mirroring American ignorance. I also believe this is exactly the thoughts Twain hoped to ignite in his audience. Through the dialect, Twain is able to portray Huck as an uninformed, relatively close-minded, individual (at least at the begining of the novel) who is not nearly educated enough about particular situations, especially slavery, to cast the harsh judgements he often tends to favor. I see this view of Huck paralleling the view Twain seems to believe is held by most southern citizens. It can be inferred by the reader that Huck's ignorance is age, and background, inflicted, while the ignorance of the southerners was more of a chosen way of life.

Dialect also holds a vital role in relation to Jim. The transpirings between Huck and Jim are of utmost importance in the novel. Through their conversations, we are able to share in Huck's epitome that Jim is as much of a human being as he is. As the reader, we are able to witness Huck's realitization that Jim laughs, loves, and hurts just as much as any individual with white skin. I also perceive this as another underlying message in Twain's text. I can practically hear him urging his readers to follow in Huck's "morally right" conclusion about slavery. Even though Huck Finn is written after the legalized end of slavery, Twain is more than aware that the desire for slaves is still very much alive in the minds of white southerners. There is no doubt that his strong and unique usage of dialect is all part of Twain's attempt to persuade his readers to open their minds to a new way of life.