Just a few thoughts from one who has read and reread this book many times (although not recently). Not saying my ideas are right or better than anyone else’s.

Jim and Huck both belong to groups perceived as “less than” in the society of their day (and Twain’s day): Jim an enslaved person and Huck a poor white who was homeless and (believed to be) an orphan in Twain’s previous book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In spite of Huck’s poverty and low status, he was envied by Tom, a slightly younger boy who had a big imagination fired by popular adventure literature of the day. All of the other boys followed the lead of Tom, although we have no real reason to think he was actually smarter—but he had some charisma, whether or not it appeals to readers today.

Tom was also an orphan, but he lived with his aunt and 2 cousins, and had a much more secure life, which in his mind was boring.

Tom and Huck were rewarded with a large sum of money for what they did in “Tom Sawyer.” This motivated the Widow Douglas to adopt Huck and take him into her home to try to “civilize” him. Huck at this time was probably about 14. Huck found it a strain to have to conform to the activities and expectations of civilization such as wearing shoes, staying clean, learning to read, etc. the Widow’s sister, Miss Watson, is a constant thorn in his side. Huck is well-acquainted with Jim, who is Miss Watson’s slave.

Huck’s alcoholic, abusive father, believed to be dead, shows up and claims his son because he has found out Huck has money. Huck sees that the only way to escape his father is to fake his death and take off. When he encounters Jim, who has decided to make a move to a free state, the two decide to team up.

They have somehow ended up going south instead of north when they finally end up in Arkansas at the home of Tom Sawyer’s aunt and uncle, who are expecting Tom for a visit (wonder why Aunt Polly must have thrown up her hands and sent him away!). Huck pretends to be Tom.

Naturally, when Tom arrives, his romantic imagination instantly fixes on the adventure of the imprisoned man wasting away like the Count of Monte Cristo and his other literary idols. All of the dramatic play-acting he convinces Huck and Jim to go along with doesn’t really make sense, except in Tom’s mind. Huck actually thinks it’s all crazy—but he goes along and follows Tom, the ringleader of adventure. He’s not the first person to leave common sense behind and follow a charismatic leader. Poor Jim endures because he has no choice.

Finally the truth comes out when Tom >!breaks his leg!< and it’s learned that Miss Watson had already granted Jim his freedom. So all of Jim’s suffering while locked up was needless—and at any time, Tom could have revealed the truth. Tom isn’t painted very positively in this, although it doesn’t seem that Huck is as critical as he might have been!

Huck ruminates on the whole episode in the final chapter. He has grown a lot in understanding and maturity but he hasn’t fully grasped the meaning and consequences of what he has learned. And while he has escaped the Wisow Douglas and her civilizing efforts, it looks like Aunt Sally may be taking the Widow’s place…

I think in some ways this is the story of society: the tendency to follow a charismatic leader, even when some of their ideas are questionable at best; our ability to classify others into stereotypes when we don’t know them; the divisions that exist in society even when people interact on a daily basis; the rights of parents/ employers/ owners (in that time, but remember slavery has existed on various forms as long as “civilization” has existed) vs the rights of children or slaves; looking at every situation from a legalistic perspective—and in Huck’s case, the fact that life and learning isn’t a clear and straight progression but has many barriers, detours, and even regressions on the way. One can’t only move forward according to one’s own code, but is influenced by others for better or worse.

Twain doesn’t really convey a super clear message in the book, I will agree. But I do think he has released some ideas that a reader can meditate on. That’s better, in my mind, than directly telling the reader what to think.

I have found that each time I read it, I have new questions in my mind and new thoughts to process. IMO, that’s a sign of a good book.