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Chapter TwoThe Mississippi River and Personal Identities

A.Huck’s Identity as a Typical American

Many critics interpret Huck’s pursuit of freedom as a typical American’srealization of the American Dream.From obscurity to spiritual independence,Huck’swit,courage,and aspiration for freedom and equality work together,making him atypical representative of countless Americans.However,as a child of only thirteen yearsold,his immature thoughts inevitably obstruct his construction of personal identity,which goes through a process of ambiguity,wavering,and determination in general.And the Mississippi River contributes to the shape of Huck’s witty and active thinking,strengthening his ability to adapt to circumstances and playing a unique role in buildinghis identity.

From the perspective of children’s psychology,children’s identities need to beestablished by the authority of adults in the early stage.Before they master the ability tothink independently,the rules of society and adults are necessary for them to establishpersonal identities.In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,Aunt Polly’s call to Tom makesTom’s identity clear as a child under adult discipline.But for the almost orphaned Huck,his self-awareness is vague.Unlike the Adventures of Tom Sawyer,in Adventures ofHuckleberry Finn,the first sentence establishes Huck’s independent sense of identity.“You don’t know about me,without you have read a book by the name of TheAdventures of Tom Sawyer”(Twain 7).Instead of relying on adult authority to establishhis identity,as Tom did,Huck takes the initiative into his own hands.

B.Jim’s Identity as an African American

The antebellum period depicted in this novel is characterized by an explosion ofslavery in the Deep South.From 1800 to 1860,numerous enslaved African Americanswere sold down to the Lower South from the Upper South under compulsion.Jim wasoriginally one of them.The river was a vehicle that carried enslaved people to a slavemarket.For these enslaved African Americans,the Deep South was the worst workingplace.Not only Jim,but also many other enslaved people,chose to escape.Some peoplewould rather drown themselves in the Mississippi River than be sold downriver.Sincethe 1770s,white migrants have brought slaves to the Mississippi River for someundetermined future.This river evolves as a symbol of oppression and enslavement.Upuntil the end of slavery,the image of this river was both freedom and enslavement.

Early slaves were mainly engaged in clearing forests and planting tobacco for theMexican market.With the rise of the cotton gin,many slaves were forced to labor forthe cotton economy.Therefore,the south of Mississippi,the most developed cottoneconomy,becomes the cruelest slave regime for countless African Americans.Territorial Governor William C.C.Claiborne writes“that Labour here,is more valuablethan in any other part of the United States,and the industrial portion of the Citizens areamassing great fortunes”(364).While creating enormous wealth,African Americans areconfused about their identity.The significance of the Mississippi River for whites andblacks is in sharp contrast.For white planters,this river is a lucrative market;forAfrican Americans,the Mississippi River represents violenc本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。