The presence of a hero is a necessary institution for all societies. Heroes provide inspiration for improvement and an ideal which people can aspire to emulate. These personifications of virtue reveal much about the society which reveres them. Through the noble qualities which the hero represents, one can determine the characteristics and values that society admires and finds important. The hero concept is the same in all countries including America. However, to find a true American hero is a daunting task. While politicians, sports players, and movie stars are well known, one who embodies the virtues of the American spirit is nonexistent in such fields. The sorely needed American hero is provided by Mark Twain in the timeless classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. As the hero, Huck represents characteristics Americans find important. American values Huckleberry Finn personifies are a connection to nature, practicality, and intuition.

Huck’s connection to nature is emphasized by his poetic descriptions and the happiness Huck feels while living outside of society. As Huck attempts to adapt to civilized life, he still yearns for the freedom and beauty provided by nature. While escaping the captivity of Widow Douglas’s house, Huck appreciates the natural world around him. He states, “and the stars over us was sparkling ever so fine; and down by the village was the river, a whole mile broad, and awful still and grand” (Twain 6). This beautifully poetic depiction of nature displays the strong bond Huck has with nature. Huck stands in awe of its magnitude. Throughout the novel, Huck provides detailed descriptions of scenes from nature. Only when describing an association to nature is Huck’s eloquence recognized. The passion of his words can only be inspired by the marvel he sees in nature through his deep bond. Further proof that supports his connection to the natural world is the satisfaction Huck expresses when living away from society. Huck decides that “other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft” (Twain ch 18 end). Huck has no need for a structured, society corrupted by civilization. He finds his time on the raft with Jim much more enjoyable than the starch atmosphere of society. Not only does Huck cherish the expanded freedom, but he appreciates the purity of the natural world. While Huck illustrates man’s connection with nature, he also indicates the importance of such a bond to American culture. At the time of this novel’s publication, most Americans were still farmers who toiled on the land. They formed a deep connection with the land and the nature around them. Another reason Americans associate themselves with nature is that many in the territories had an idealized view of frontier life. People of the time had a greater bond to nature as the majority of the nation’s land was enveloped in nature rather than civilization. Thus, Huck Finn represents a connection to nature which appeals to American culture.

Another quality Huck embodies is practicality. Huck is a rational, intelligent boy with good common sense. Throughout the novel, he approaches each situation as such. Huck utilizes his practical sense to accomplish his goals. When Huck attempts to convince the watchman of a ferry to save murderers from the sinking Walter Scott, he knows better than to simply ask the watchman who would only help if he receives compensation. Instead, Huck recounts a fantastic tale in which “it was so dark we didn’t notice the wreck till we was right on it; and so we saddle-baggsed; but all of us was saved but Bill Whipple - and oh he was the best cretur! - I mot wish’t it had been me I do” (Twain 75). Huck adds that a woman stranded on the boat has a rich relative in order to motivate the watchman into action. While the fact that Huck lies and manipulates the watchman is true, there is a practical purpose behind Huck’s actions. Applying his knowledge of human nature, Huck takes the most practical course of action in order to reach his goal. While Huck’s practicality may not seem admirable, he simply does what he must to save the lives of those stranded on the boat. In effect, the minor evil of lying is outweighed by Huck’s good intentions, and thus, Huck’s pragmatic attitude is noteworthy. Huck further proves to be practical when dealing with the Duke and the King. Even though he knows they are frauds, Huck concludes “that the best way to get along with his kind of people is to let them have their own way” (Twain end ch 19). Huck realizes that a conflict with the King and the Duke could jeopardize Jim’s freedom and would be futile. Thus, he chooses the most practical route of simply playing along with the facade. Huck’s common sense and insight into human nature further show him to be pragmatic. The quality of practicality is felt to be important amongst Americans who used logic and rational thinking to build up a nation politically and economically. Practical behavior and good common sense is celebrated in America as admirable as they produce achievements.

The final and most important of Huck’s admirable characteristics is his intuition. Huck’s intuitive sense produces the integrity and morality which make Huckleberry Finn a true hero. While going against the dictates of society and bad rationalization, listening to his intuition leads Huck to act judiciously. He demonstrates his intuitive sense after he plays a trick on Jim. Huck recalls, “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger - but I done it, and I warn’t ever sorry for it afterwards, neither” (Twain 86). According to society’s beliefs, Huck has done nothing wrong since blacks were not considered people. However, Huck knows through his intuition that he should apologize for his behavior. Huck listens to his intuition and does the morally right thing. Ultimately, he never regrets his decision. Huck’s intuition played its largest role in Huck’s internal struggle over helping a slave escape to freedom. Huck feels bad for stealing a nice woman’s “property” due to the influence of civilization. Huck cannot bring himself to turn Jim in as a result of his intuitive knowledge that Jim deserves to be free and slavery is wrong. Since he still has society’s taint, Huck believes that he is doing wrong. However, he is still compelled to “steal Jim out of slavery again; and if I could think up anything worse, I would do that, too; because as long as I was in, and in for good, I might as well go the whole hog” (Twain ch31 hell). Huck’s guilt for defying the system is much more tolerable than what Huck would experience if he betrayed Jim. Although Huck does not fully understand, his decision is based on his intuitive sense. In the end, Huck’s intuition is all that prevents Jim from being recaptured. The value of intuition is apparent in American society as demonstrated by Huck’s predicament. The Romantic viewpoint appealed to many as great essayists such as Emerson and Thoreau promoted the importance of intuition. The concept of intuition with perfect morals within each person is an optimistic outlook which would provide hope to the American people. Intuition’s importance is immeasurable as it assists its user in making wise decisions.

Huckleberry Finn represents the values of American culture of a connection with nature, practicality, and intuition. Huck demonstrates these characteristics throughout the novel in his dealings with nature, the King and the Duke, and Jim. The Americans admired and appreciated the nature, practicality, and intuition of Huck Finn. However, their support was only in theory rather than practice. Mark Twain purposely created Huck with admirable characteristics which the average American man never truly attempts to emulate. Twain’s ironic version of a hero points out the flaws in American society by depicting a hero whose values contrast with those of the masses. American culture does not appreciate the beauty of nature. Sterile technology and structured society is more prominent. Practicality is used to rationalize the opportunistic and capitalistic behavior of the unscrupulous and greedy. Meanwhile, most Americans simply accept the morals and beliefs of society rather than using their intuition to find their identities. Thus, Huck Finn is the ultimate American hero because he is all that Americans should be but are not. The qualities of a connection with nature, practicality, and intuition are applicable even today. The blunders of not applying these virtues is easily apparent. For example, if I had stayed connected with nature rather than malfunctioning technology, my essay would not have been erased and I would not have had to rewrite it. If I had been practical and saved the essay in several locations, I would not have found myself in the predicament of having absolutely no essay at 1:30 in the morning the day the essay is due. And finally, if I had listened to my intuition, I would have known that my computer was going to destroy my work and thus could have avoided staying up until four in the morning to write my essay twice. The qualities Mark Twain championed through Huckleberry Finn are universal and timeless.