The Religion of Huckleberry Finn

The Religion Of Huckleberry Finn

Religion is a simple concept to learn. Webster's dictionary defines religion

as: "belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and

worshipped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe." Although it is

understood what religion is, not everyone has the same views. There are

numerous varieties and sub-vrieties of religions. In fact, religion can be so

diverse that one might say that he or she is of the same religion as another

person but the way he or she demonstrates their beliefs may be dramatically

different. In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain,

writes about a young boy's growing and maturing experiences one summer as he

travels down the Mississippi River. One of the things that this boy, Huck

Finn, discovers is how religion affects his lifestyle. Huckleberry Finn's

views of religion have an impact on many essential points in the episodic

novel. Religion has an effect on three of Huck's major decisions throughout

the novel. His religion is tested when he first decides to help Jim run away.

His religion is tested when he lies to most of the people he meets traveling

down the Mississippi River, and Huckleberry's religion is tested when he

decides to help Jim escape from slavery for good.

Huckleberry Finn was raised without a strong religious influence. Huck's

father being a raging alcoholic, and Huck living mostly on his own, were two

of the factors that contributed to this. Pap came to visit him one night and

expressed his negative thoughts on school and religion. "First you know

you'll