Jeffrey You
Lopez
AP English III-7
17 September, 2012 True Freedom From the beginning of time, man has sought liberation from oppressive forces. Liberty is not a document or decree seen and heard by others. It is equality, opportunity, and being free from the restraints of society. In the novels, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain and Jubilee by Margaret Walker, both protagonists tolerate the unfavorable experiences of mankind and discover how to obtain freedom in their own respective means. In Jubilee, the illegitimate mulatto slave Vyry resorts to perilous measures to ensure her freedom. Randall Ware, a free black man proposes that if “[she] would marriage with him,” then he would “buy [her] freedom” (Walker 88). She asks around and is informed that he is a suspected abolitionist and white plantation owners distrust him. Despite the negative status he possesses, Vyry strikes up a relationship with him for freedom. She understands the implications of his reputation, but evidently places freedom above all other aspects of life through her willingness to interact with him. Clearly, the dangerous repercussions of being associated with him pale before her insatiable desire for freedom. Although Ware never frees her, following the aftermath of the Civil War, Vyry finally gains her freedom. Consequently, she decides to build a home that will be distant from the injustices of society. Her intentions to construct a house are disrupted by unfair neighbors, racial prejudice, and the arson of her safe haven. From these heartbreaking losses, Vyry understands isolation in their home from white society does not guarantee freedom. She comprehends that her freedom is restricted and that while it is restricted, it not true freedom. Realizing that “her children have the capacity to move upward in society”, she fights for an opportunity for her kids “to [acquire] education” (Reisman). By learning, they can change laws and implement their voice in government. Therefore, to transcend limited freedom and obtain full equality, her family must assimilate into the unjust world and become active citizens. In Mark Twain’s novel, much like Vyry, Huck accepts unfavorable conditions to retain his own freedom. While in St. Petersburg, Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas attempt to reform Huck’s rebellious ways. The Widow restricts Huck’s freedom to smoke because she believes it is a “mean practice and [is not] clean,” but he is allowed to use snuff because “she [does] it herself” (Twain 2). Although both practices are frowned upon, Finn is given permission to use snuff only because an authoritative figure, who is accepted by society, engages in using snuff. He soon discovers that this “sivilized” society lacks proper ideals and that this is one instance where the public attitude is hypocritical. In addition, he finds the restraints of society bothersome and views his life in St. Petersburg as discomforting and boring. As the story progresses when Huck’s abusive father returns and kidnaps him. Despite being forced to live with his father, he accepts it in order to escape the “sivilized” world. Finn “loves the wild so much that he is even willing to tolerate child abuse by his drunken father to escape the strictures of Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas” (Wiener 48). While living with his father he is free to cuss, be lazy, spend his day sleeping, smoke, and fish. In