Huckleberry Finn as a Typical Child

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To what extent does Twain's portrayal of Huck in Chapters 1-18 of the novel, present him as a typical child? Long considered Mark Twain's most influential piece of work, as well as a classic of American literature, 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', published in 1884, was the first important American work to depart from traditional European literary models. It used humour, vernacular speech and an uneducated young narrator to portray life in America during the 19th Century. Through the use of this young narrator, Twain was able to present to the reader different aspects of childhood during Huckleberry Finn's time of growing up. During the 19th Century, childhood was extraordinarily different to what today's society would recognise and accept. Throughout this time, children were a crucial source of labour in the family economy, and were a source of financial support in old age. Many children were forced to partake in physically exhausting or dangerous jobs, such as chimney sweeping, and consequently, often the birth of a child was hailed as the arrival of a future labourer who would contribute to the financial security of the family. Education for children at the time was very rare- many parents preferred to keep their children out of school, as if they were attending classes, they were not available to work and earn money to help support the family. This in turn meant child mortality rates were quite high, with children taking part in labour that put them in serious danger or even resulted in death rather than attending school. Therefore, for many children at the time, their childhood was very much the opposite of what is seen as a 'typical childhood' by today's society's standards. For most , the characteristics of a typical childhood would be numerous. For example, many would believe a certain level of compulsory education would be necessary, as well

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