Superstition is a natural fear of the unknown that people have, and in the South, this fear is particularly prevalent. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn exemplifies the importance of superstition and its contribution to the unique flavor of the novel. Mark Twain, also known as Samuel Clements, drew upon his Southern background to depict this superstition. He utilized his extensive understanding of folklore, superstition, and myth to represent how Huckleberry Finn and Jim interacted with the superstitious beliefs that were widespread in their area.
Superstitions are supernatural beliefs that are either disdained or accepted by people (Cohen 854). Mark Twain captivated audiences worldwide with his knowledge of folklore, understanding that the manner in which a story is told is just as important as the story itself (Cohen 853). Twain skillfully portrays these aspects of superstition through the characters of Huck and Jim in his novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain does not hold superstition in contempt; instead, he incorporates it to develop the characters and advance the story. To fully comprehend Twain’s use of superstition, one must explore his childhood and upbringing.
Hannibal, Missouri, a small town on the Mississippi River, was where Twain’s family moved when he was four. Growing up there, along the river, Mark Twain gained numerous experiences and knowledge about superstitions. In his book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain intentionally incorporated Southern superstitions, language, customs, and folklore by drawing from his understanding of local legends and traditions (Ferris 456). These folk customs and rituals greatly influenced the Southern way of life (Ferris 456).
Twain drew inspiration from the myths, superstitions, and folklore that surrounded him, providing the foundation for his remarkable novel. With extensive understanding of the local environment and its way of life, Twain incorporated this folklore into his literary work. While folklore in its natural setting has its own artistic value, literature as an art form presents a different kind of expression (Cohen 853).
Twain was a believer in signs and portents. He was born in 1835, during one of the 75-year appearances of Halley’s Comet. He once stated that he would pass away when it returned- and as fate would have it, he died on April 21, 1910, just one day after the comet reached its perihelion (Kaplan 386). In addition to his belief in signs, Twain also had faith in the power of dreams to manifest into reality. He had trust in fortune tellers and believed in the ability of God to heal through faith. The superstitions that had such a profound impact on Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn never truly left Mark Twain (Wood 83).
Jim’s role in superstition significantly influenced the characters’ mood swings. He strongly believed in witches, ghosts, weather signs, omens, and dreams (Cohen 854). When Jim and Huckleberry Finn were on the river, Jim embraced a life of freedom, and his superstitious beliefs proved effective. In this natural world, the supernatural had a place, and Jim’s superstitions not only saved his life but also Huck’s, ultimately leading to Huck’s spiritual salvation (Cohen 854). In Chapter 2 of the book, Huck describes the five centerpiece worn by Jim around his neck, which were given to him by the devil and allowed him to summon witches for healing purposes (Twain 6). According to Cohen, by the end of the novel, Jim transforms from a mere character to become the spiritual center of the story (854).
Another instance of Jim’s superstitious character is portrayed when he informs Huckleberry Finn:
“Dah, now, Huck, what I tell you up da on Jackson islan’?
I tole you I got a hair breas’, en whats de sign unt it, en I
tole ya I been rich wunst, en gwineter be rich agin, en its
come true; eh heah she is! Dah, now! doan’ talk to me –
signs is signs, mine I tell you, en I knowed jis’ ‘s well at l’uz
gwizenter be rich agin as I’s a stannin’ heah did minute!”
Throughout the entire novel, Jim demonstrates his power over signs. He possesses the ability to find meaning in various things, such as the hair on his chest and the images in his dreams. This skill of interpreting signs grants him a sense of control over his own fate (Kearns 109).
In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huckleberry Finn is heavily influenced by superstition while traveling with Jim along the Mississippi River. Jim’s impact on him shapes his actions regarding these superstitions. According to Kearns, Huckleberry Finn is troubled by the concept of determinism and the lack of free will that comes with believing in superstitions, unlike Jim who remains unaffected. Huckleberry Finn recognizes that he and Jim are responsible for creating the codes they only “read,” but this realization puts him in an uncomfortable position.
Throughout their journey down the Mississippi River in Huckleberry Finn, Jim acts as a guardian to Huckleberry Finn, going so far as to hide the truth about seeing Pap’s deceased body in the river. Jim’s intention is to shield Huckleberry Finn from emotional harm. Like a caring father, Jim strives to ensure Huckleberry Finn’s safety throughout the entire trip, safeguarding him from trouble and peril. Interestingly, the presence of supernatural elements in the natural world proves vital for Jim’s survival and also leads to Huckleberry Finn’s spiritual redemption (Cohen 854). Perhaps it is Jim’s love for children that compels him to shield Huck from the pain he himself experiences.
Huckleberry Finn learns about superstition from Jim. He is initially skeptical of the snakeskin, but eventually realizes its power. Jim warns Huckleberry Finn not to touch a snakeskin with his bare hands. In African and New World Negro folklore, snakes often play minor roles, except for a well-known story involving animals showing gratitude for human help, where the snake takes on a leading role (Crape 1029). Ultimately, the reader understands how superstitions can shape a person’s beliefs and control their behavior.
There are many superstitions that control people’s actions, such as walking under ladders, encountering black cats and Friday the 13th. People often debate whether these superstitions are true or just myths. In his novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain skillfully incorporates these superstitions into the theme of true friendship. To fully comprehend the characters of Huckleberry Finn and Jim, one must understand the bond that exists between them and how Twain uses Jim to merge their identities.
