Rivers flow freely and calmly, and people usually go to the river to get away from the busy world around them. With nature surrounding them, people can find peace and tranquility. The Mississippi River is the largest river in the United States. Its length and width, as well as its rapid current, make it an ideal scene for escaping civilization. In Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," the two main characters, Huck and Jim, find peace on the Mississippi as they spend endless nights floating downstream. Becoming civilized in society is a major theme of the novel and the Mississippi River helps Huck and Jim become uncivilized because it offers them protection from the outside world, freedom and adventure. The Mississippi River offers Huck and Jim protection from the civilized world around them. Miss Watson takes Huck as her son, but Huck is not used to such restrictions: "she took me for her son and allowed her to sivilize me; but it was hard to live all the time in the house"(1). Miss Watson wants to civilize Huck by teaching him good manners by telling him things such as, "Don't put your feet up there, Huckleberry" and "Don't embarrass yourself like that Huckleberry-put upright" (2). Huck, however, doesn't like the way Miss Watson treats him. This makes Huck feel “so alone [that] he almost wished he was dead” (4). Huck feels depressed when he is subjected to Miss Watson's contempt. He would rather control his own life than let someone else control it for him. He is used to freedom. Huck feels like he belongs under the stars, where the community can't tell him what to do. Like Huck, Jim is also under Miss Watson's control. He is one of her slaves and does everything she tells him to do. Once they... middle of paper ...staying near the river, they always have an outlet in case something goes wrong. The Duke and the Dauphin lead Huck and Jim on various adventures, from scams such as the Royal Nonesuch to pretending to be the long-lost Wilkes brothers. Plans for these adventures are made at night, as they float down the Mississippi River on the raft. This shows that the Mississippi River provides an outlet for adventure for Huck and Jim. The Mississippi River protected Huck and Jim from the ills of society and civilization. The activities they engaged in during the day, such as fishing and swimming in the river, further distanced them from the rules of society. The adventures they experienced brought them freedom and happiness. The Mississippi River allowed Huck and Jim to escape the clothing, eating habits, and daily routines typical of a civilized society..