Huck Finn Responses: The Role

Huck Finn Responses: The Role of Women

Widow Douglas has been trying to "sivilize" Huck (2). Miss Watson teaches Huck spelling (3). "Miss Watson she kept pecking at me" (4).

Twain sets up Huck's rejection of civilization in his reaction to the feminine, and therefore softening, influences in his life.

The Widow makes Huck feel guilty for her sadness (14).Miss Watson says Huck must "help other people" (14). Huck receives conflicting views of Providence from the widow and Miss Watson (15).

Huck learns about civilization from women; both confuse him, too. Women in this novel attempt to "better" Huck according to their beliefs, and he flees from this.

Miss Watson keeps Huck from preventing bad luck with the salt (20-1). "The widow put in a good word for me, but that warn't going to keep off the bad luck" (21). "Miss Watson's nigger, Jim" (22).

Miss Watson is seen as controlling; she represents the obviously negative aspects of civilization, including the possessive attached to Jim's introduction. The widow has a softer image, but this softness makes her less effective.

Chapter 8: "it was Miss Watson's Jim!" (55). "Ole missus -- dat's Miss Watson -- she pecks on me all de time, en treats me pooty rough, but she awluz said she wouldn' sell me down to Orleans" (58). Jim overhears plans confirming that Miss Watson will be selling him despite the widow's protestations (58).

The persistence of identifying Jim as Miss Watson's reaffirms her controlling position. This continues with her decision to sell Jim, which drives the plot of the novel.

Chapter 14: Jim's fears of Miss Watson continue to propel him forward (102). Jim and Huck talk about harems as evidence of kingly power and enjoyment (103). Huck mentions that the widow told him about Solomon (104).

Miss Watson and the widow continue to be contrasted in their softening and controlling qualities, but neither provides incentive to stay. Women are further seen as evidence of success in civilization, not just something that is available there.

Chapter 17: Betsy provides light for Huck's nighttime arrival (128). Rachel is the first to show concern for Huck, specifically his appetite (130). Huck sees a painting depicting a young lady, the content of which is overly-emotional to the point of ridiculousness (136).

Betsy and Rachel both provide comfort for Huck; this is part of the soft side that women represent, and the good things that civilization can provide. The painting represents how false and contrived females -- and civilization -- appear to Huck much of the time.

Chapter 18: "Miss Charlotte she held her head up like a queen while Buck was telling his tale, and her nostrils spread and her eyes snapped" (143). Miss Sophia flirts with Huck, and sends him on an errand for her (146). Sophia runs off to marry a Shepherdson, but it is only seen as an excuse for carnage (153).