Definition of Imagery
Throughout the novel, Huck uses expressive imagery when describing the Mississippi River, highlighting the ways that the river is a symbol for freedom for Huck, who has escaped both the abusive and inconsistent life with his father Pap and the restrictive, rule-bound, “sivilized” ways of living with Miss Watson. The freedom and ease Huck experiences on the river comes across in moments like this:
Next we slid into the river and had a swim, so as to freshen up and cool off; then we set down on the sandy bottom where the water was about knee deep, and watched the daylight come. Not a sound anywheres—perfectly still— just like the whole world was asleep, only sometimes the bullfrogs a-cluttering, maybe.
Throughout the novel, Huck uses expressive imagery when describing the Mississippi River, highlighting the ways that the river is a symbol for freedom for Huck, who has escaped both the abusive and inconsistent life with his father Pap and the restrictive, rule-bound, “sivilized” ways of living with Miss Watson. The freedom and ease Huck experiences on the river comes across in moments like this:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Next we slid into the river and had a swim, so as to freshen up and cool off; then we set down on the sandy bottom where the water was about knee deep, and watched the daylight come. Not a sound anywheres—perfectly still— just like the whole world was asleep, only sometimes the bullfrogs a-cluttering, maybe.