Huckleberry Finn as a Bildungsroman

Even though Huck’s transformation is subtler and less definite than Harry’s, it is evident that the growth is still there. In the beginning of the novel, Huck followed Tom and trusted him without question because of Tom’s familial and educational background. However, as the story progresses, Huck is forced to leave Tom’s shadow and make it on his own. With every new adventure, Huck learns if not something about himself, then something about others. He learns how cruel people can be to one another when the Duke and the King were tarred. Another monumental instance is when Huck ultimately decides to do away with civilization in order to rescue Jim. There are many times when his revelations are so brilliant that you would think that it is the pivotal moment for his transformation. However, these moments are always followed by a regression. Unlike Harry, we cannot pinpoint the specific experience that caused his coming of age. In this way, I think that Huck’s growth is more realistic than Harry’s. I do not think that it takes one particular experience to change a person. We are who we are because of the many experiences in our lives. Therefore, I believe that Huckleberry Finn is a bildungsroman.