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Huck Finn

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Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
When our forefathers drafted the Declaration of Independence, they were seeking a place where “all men are created equal” with the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
They were the dreamers who saw potential in America. A little further down the road to the
1880s and Americans were still dreaming of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in a world where all men are created equal. We commonly refer to it as “the American Dream.” This phrase was first used in 1931 to describe the attraction that brought immigrants to America. The pursuit of the American Dream is still something that is chased by the masses today. Huck Finn,
Jim and Pap were all seeking to achieve that dream, though it had different meanings for each of them. Huck’s pursuit of the American Dream had to do with being able to be free to go where and when he wanted, without seeking permission from anyone. Huck felt if he were free to do as he pleased, then he would be a rich man. His happiness had nothing to do with financial wealth.
Huck stated that fact to Judge Thatcher.
I don’t want it at all-nor the six thousand, nuther I want you to take it; I want to give it to you-the six thousand and all…Don’t you ask me no questions about it please. You’ll tale it-won’t you?...Please take it..and don’t ask me nothing-then I wont have to tell no lies. (Twain 25).

When Huck saw money, he did not equate that with happiness. Instead, he saw trouble from
Pap. Huck felt he was in bondage to his alcoholic father and was finally set free from that fear.
Huck did not need material possessions or social standing to be happy. Huck saw the widow and her sister’s social standing as true representatives of the American Dream; however, he could not abide by that standard. In spite of the guilt he felt, he escaped their care and the

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