Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn so innocently reveals the potential nobility of human nature in his beloved main characters that he could never successfully support something as harmful as slavery. Huckleberry Finn and his traveling companion Jim, a runaway slave, are unwitting champions of humility, mercy and altruism. The adventurous nature of the story and its noble characters celebrate freedom from social and economic restrictions, and it is evident from the beginning through his satirical depiction of human characteristics that Twain believes that all people deserve their own freedom. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayAlthough Twain's story has the outward appearance of a children's adventure story, it is impossible to overlook the symbolic nature of the two "fugitive" desires for such an adventure. Both Huck and Jim are escaping the social constraints of their worlds. Huck feels limited by his new "civilized" life and Jim by his slave status. In the house of the Widow Douglas, Huck is not allowed to indulge in his old childhood pleasures. He feels trapped by the various social rules and expectations that the two widows try to impose on him. Jim is confined by the bonds of slavery to an uncomfortable and immobile place in society, preventing him from being with his own family. The two "prisoners" thus begin their escape to freedom. And, while it is natural that Twain set the story on the wide and mighty Mississippi River where he spent part of his life, there is also a symbolic gesture in the setting. As Huck and Jim travel along the flowing river, they feel distant from the stagnant society on the river's banks. On the natural river, they are free from the defects and evils of human nature that exist in the artificial cities they have known. On the raft there is no practical need for racism or greed. The boy and the slave are simply two travelers headed for bigger and better waters. Twain largely succeeds in illustrating his support for the deserved freedom of the human condition through his main characters. Huck is an innocent little boy who relies only on his surprisingly sharp criticism of human nature and a goodness and kindness of which he is not even aware. Huck's youthful ignorance and lack of education give way to the innocence that makes him such a believable and effective protagonist. Despite his age, however, he is still able to discern the often hypocritical actions of the adults around him. For example, he can't understand why the good people of the Grangerford family are involved in something as horrible and ridiculous as a feud. When Jim becomes part of the journey, Huck, due to his mistaken conscience, shows mercy and, ultimately, respect towards Jim. Giving respect to a slave would have required a lot of humility for a white boy, and Huck certainly possessed humility. He had no desire for material possessions, nor even a very strong desire for money. Jim's good nature and kindness are unquestionable in the novel. He makes a point of watching over Huck during their journey, and often does so at his own expense. The reader cannot help but admire Jim's love for his family and his kind, selfless nature. All of these characteristics of innocence, mercy, humility, and kindness are not elements that support the institution of slavery.2E Perhaps Twain is suggesting that the potential goodness of human nature that exists in his characters could exist in a world without slavery. Furthermore, Twain has mastered the use of situational and verbal irony and satire, and uses it to.