Life as an Outcast in Huckleberry FinnOne of the themes addressed by writers since the beginning of civilization is the question of the division between living in society and living according to oneself. We see it in that typically American genre of books known as "road books", in which the protagonist undertakes a long journey or period away from society to "find himself". One of the quintessential examples of this type of book is Mark Twain's novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, technically a "river book" rather than a "road book". In it, as in many "road books" before and after, spending an extended period of time away from society allows the protagonist to see the difference between the rules of traditional society and the freedom of the wilderness. Through his journey, Twain illustrates the futility of living within society as opposed to the freedom of being an outcast. Interestingly, Huck's morals are much stronger when he is on the river than on the shore. Huck's "attacks of conscience" only occur on the river. For example...