In our English class we read the book, The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. How my American Dream compares to
Huck’s and what is holding him back and how what is holding him back
from his dream compares to me is the theme. Huck wanted to be free. He
wanted to do what he wanted and be how he wanted to be. He did not
want to be civilized. He did not want to follow any rules or do what
anyone told him to do. One person who was trying to control him was his
aunt. She wanted to civilize him, make him a gentleman, which as exactly
what Huck did not want to be.
     What controls me and stops me from doing what I want is the law.
Also, my morals and values stop me from doing things that I might want
to do but that I know are wrong. Since I am still a minor there are many
things that I can not do yet. Things like voting, renting an apartment or
buying a house. I can also not get a credit card or stay out past midnight
even though I would like to.
     What controls me and what controlled Huck are different, yet the
same. Huck wanted to be free. I want to be able to have more freedom.
Life is certainly different now than it was in the 1800s. What was
expected of Huck and what is expected of me are different. However,
there are rules and laws now just like there were back then. Life is more
complicated now. I think it was easier to live like Huck wanted to back
then. It would be almost impossible now. Huck wanted to be free of all
responsibilities and just live for himself. I just want more control and
freedom than I have now.