The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer

Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer are the best of friends with remarkably different personalities. Each brings their unique characteristics into this comical friendship giving the novel numerous amusing passages. Throughout the tale, Tom is often the leader while Huck is the reluctant follower. It doesn't matter that Tom's ideas are ridiculous and extravagant, and Huck's are simple and practical, together they always proceed with Tom's imaginative plans. In contrast to Tom's great imagination and creativity, Huck is humorless and literal minded. Tom's imaginativeness comes only from knowledge he has gained through books. Huck, on the other hand, actually lives out the fantasies Tom can only imagine. Tom Sawyer, already civilized, follows the values and beliefs of society. Due to these convictions, Tom always abides by the laws. For these reasons, Tom would never have helped free Jim unless he knew that Jim had already been freed. Conversely, Huck Finn rejects the philosophy of political beliefs for the fear of becoming civilized. He usually runs away at the first notion of him becoming "sivilized." Huck is able to function in any society with the help of his adaptability and survival skills. He is able to go from the freedom of the raft, to the perceived harshness of civilization, and back again with ease. Although Tom has been able to slip past Death's grip so far, his chances of escaping may not always work out to his liking. Of the two, Huck