The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the great masterpiece of the American writer Mark Twain. Although it caused great disturbance among the literary critics since its publication, some praised it while others condemned it, yet it is enjoyed extensively by readers from all walks of life. With the time marching, it proves valuable. The book narrates the journey of a white teenager Huck and a black slave Jim down the Mississippi River. In spite of the simple plot, it evokes sound resonance among its readers.Many works of study about this novel have interpreted it from diverse perspectives, such as realism, existentialism, racism and psychological novel since its first publication in 1884. Comparatively speaking, even though a profusion of studies have been conducted on the novel from the angle of initiation story, they are far from complete. Few articles focus exclusively on its initiation theme and a variety of features possessed by the special novel type. Studies on the novel from the perspective of initiation story are largely launched by employing other literary theories. Through analyzing the cultural background, the personalities of characters, the racism, the Southern slavery, the writer's thoughts and his life experience, the researchers mainly undertook the social-cultural criticism while ignoring the inherent values of the initiation story. The paper proposes that it is of great possibility and necessity to probe deep into the progression and artistic features of the novel in order to reveal its inner values as an acknowledged classic initiation story.The paper at first approaches the American initiation story, trying to figure out its origin and development. It then analyzes the peculiar progression of the American initiation story: lure-escape-confusion-epiphany. By associating it with the text of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the paper explores that the novel is the evolution and development of the American initiation story in terms of the progression, meanwhile displaying the decisive role of the journey in Huck's spiritual progress. What's more, the paper expounds Mark Twain's artistic features embodied in the novel. The combination of realism and romanticism, "Teenage skaz" and vivid and detailed psychological description show Twain's skillful writing to the fullest as well as highlight the unique artistic values of the novel.Through examining the progression and artistic features of the novel, the paper aims at explaining the reasons why it has long succeeded in appealing readers of different ages, different classes and different social backgrounds. It as well hopes that it can deepen the understanding of the American initiation story and the novel.