The Role of Huck’s and Tom‘s Practical Jokes in Mark Twain’s "Huckleberry Finn"

An Approach Towards a Deeper Understanding of the Characters, their Relationships and Affiliations

In this essay, I would like to consider the role of practical jokes within the story, especially concerning the development of the characters of the two white boys, Tom and Huck, and their relationship to the runaway slave Jim.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Practical Joke in Huckleberry Finn
  • Definition of the Practical Joke
  • Tom Sawyer's Jokes
  • Huckleberry Finn's Jokes
• Comparison and Conclusion
• References

Objectives and Key Themes

This essay explores the theme of practical jokes in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, specifically focusing on the characters of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn and their interactions with Jim, the runaway slave. The essay aims to analyze how the use of practical jokes reveals underlying social dynamics, prejudices, and the development of the characters' relationships.

• The role of practical jokes in shaping character development
• The use of practical jokes as a tool for social commentary
• The impact of practical jokes on the relationship between the white boys and Jim
• The connection between practical jokes and issues of class and race
• The consequences of pranks, including backfiring and their effect on relationships

Chapter Summaries

The essay begins by providing a definition of the practical joke based on Richard S. Tallman's research, highlighting the different intentions and outcomes of pranks. The essay then examines two practical jokes played by Tom Sawyer, demonstrating how his pranks are often rooted in malice and reveal his prejudiced view of Jim. This analysis focuses on the social implications of Tom's actions and his lack of empathy towards Jim. The essay concludes with a comparison of Tom and Huck's approaches to practical jokes, shedding light on their respective attitudes towards Jim and the evolving dynamics of their relationship.

Keywords

This essay focuses on key concepts such as practical jokes, character development, social commentary, race relations, class dynamics, and the analysis of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. It also explores key terms from folklore and social psychology, such as "benevolent" and "malevolent" pranks, as defined by Richard S. Tallman.

Details

• College: University of Constance
• Course: American Realism and Naturalism
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Jan Philipp Wilhelm (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 11
• Catalog Number: V196698
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656228349
• ISBN (Book): 9783656229933
• Language: English
• Tags: huckleberry finn tom sawyer mark twain practical joke folklore huck tom jim racism local color fiction naturalism