Huck's Final Journey

Many critics argue that the last portion of this book does not fit or even flow with the rest of the book. This seems to be because the character of Tom Sawyer appears to revert Huck back to the beginning of the book before his growth. I think this may be a different challenge for Huck. These scenes represent Huck confronting his past self and how he used to act before his adventure with Jim. Huck shows himself to be the person who enjoys being back with his old friend and pursuing those old crazy adventures that he used to have with Tom, however now he also seems to realize that they are just for fun. He understands how ridiculous they actually are and only seems to go along with them because he wishes to be a kid again and have the life that Tom seems to have. Huck had lost his childhood and wanted to regain some of it through Tom. Huck still in a time of crises makes the adult decision and chooses to send for a doctor to fix the bullet wound in Tom's leg which means his growth and his adventure with Jim actually had a positive effect on his development. If it had not, then he most likely would have done as Tom foolishly wanted and would have gone the more story book route of not calling for a doctor and having Tom die on the island. Huck then allows himself to be adopted by Aunt Sally and have her attempt to civilize him once again, even though he announces his disapproval of being civilized and how he does not think that it will work once again. Although despite all his worries and cares, Huck still allows all of this to happen so he may have the actually childhood that he deserves and grow up like he has wanted.