"Fiction is forced to stick to possibilities. Truth is not." This witty aphorism, although intended as a commentary on society, also reveals some of Mark Twain's beliefs about literature. By stating that fiction must remain within the realm of possibility, Twain establishes his preference for realism over romanticism. Realism, a literary style that presents ordinary life in an objective and factual manner, is the antithesis of romanticism, a style that emphasizes imagination, emotion, and the extraordinary power of nature. However, despite this proclamation, aspects of romance are clearly present in Twain's novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which seamlessly blends realism and romance. These contrasting literary styles are found in the novel's setting, characterization, and plot. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The use of vivid details allows Twain to create a compelling visual setting. Although the setting is inspired by real rivers and cities, Twain uses a number of romantic techniques to convey specific aspects of the characters' surroundings. To establish Huck's familiarity and comfort with nature, Twain clearly personifies nature, a common aspect of Romantic literature: The stars shone and the leaves rustled in the woods so sadly; and I heard an owl, in the distance, hooting about someone who had died... and the wind was trying to whisper something to me, and I couldn't make out what it was, and so it sent cold shivers running over me. (5)By embellishing the natural environment, Twain establishes Huck's point of view and personality. However, Twain also uses Realism to add authenticity to the setting, forcing the reader to recognize the truth behind his words. By presenting cities and rivers as they actually exist, Twain creates a plausible setting for his story: We thought three more nights would take us to Cairo, down in the Illinois, where the Ohio River flows, and that was what we were looking for. . We would sell the raft, get on a steamboat and sail up the Ohio between the free states, and then be out of trouble. (78) It should be noted that Twain often romanticized even those aspects of the setting based on real landmarks. This is especially evident through Twain's illustration of the Mississippi River. The river, which could easily be described simply as a large stream that serves as a means of transportation for Huck and Jim, instead becomes a highly symbolic element that inspires their imagination. Yet even within this idealized setting, Twain adds specific, almost pedestrian details: Then the pleasant breeze rises, and comes to blow you from yonder, so fresh and sweet it smells because of the woods and flowers; but sometimes it doesn't, because they leave dead fish lying around, pike and things like that, and they get pretty rancid; and then you find yourself all day, and everything smiles in the sun, and the birds just sing! (114) Twain's masterful combination of realism and romanticism creates a diverse setting that reflects real rivers and cities in an idealized way. Twain's use of both romance and realism to develop his characters is evident in the dissimilarity between Tom and Huck. While Tom's wild imagination forces him to make decisions that help him realize his fantasies, Huck's no-nonsense mindset allows him to take the most logical course of action. In this way, Tom serves as a symbol of Romanticism, while Huck isthe epitome of Realism. Tom's romantic tendencies are quickly established in the novel: Killing women? NO; no one has ever seen anything like it in books. You take them to the cave and are always as polite as pie to them; and little by little they fall in love with you and never want to go home and more. (11) Tom dreams of living out the romantic fantasies he has been exposed to through reading. Huck, on the other hand, believes that these ideas are useless and illogical. While Tom uses his imagination to enliven ordinary events, Huck refuses to see beyond the truth: But there were no Spaniards and Arabs, and there were no camels and no elephants. It was nothing more than a Sunday school picnic, and only an elementary lesson. (14) Although both boys are firm in their opinions, Huck does not have Tom's trust and therefore keeps his opinions to himself. For this reason, Tom's Romanticism triumphs over Huck's Realism. This triumph, however, is short-lived in the eyes of the reader, because Twain brings Tom's romantic visions into conflict with Jim's freedom. Instead of escaping easily, Tom dramatizes Jim's time in captivity, arguing that it wouldn't be right to escape easily: It's his fault, this whole thing is as easy and embarrassing as it can be. And so it becomes damn difficult to come up with a difficult plan... well, all you have to do is lift the net and slide off the chain... It's the stupidest solution I've ever seen. You have to invent all the difficulties. (229) Although Tom's romance is acceptable as childish play, his desire to fulfill his own fantasies at the expense of another's freedom is almost disgusting. Twain uses both romanticism and realism in his characterization of Huck and Tom, but he clearly prefers Huck's realistic outlook on life. Twain creates a conflict between Tom's romanticism and Huck's realism, but this conflict is not repeated in the development of the plot. . Realism and Romanticism work together to move the events of the story forward. At several points, Twain uses a decidedly realistic tone to advance the plot, such as when Huck and Jim part ways on the river: The second night a god began to appear... I passed the line around one of the [saplings] right on the edge of the cut bank, but there was a strong current and the raft went down with such a brisk splash that it tore it by the roots and went away... There was no raft in sight; and you couldn't see twenty meters. (78)This plot twist illustrates an event that would commonly be experienced while traveling along the river. By advancing the plot through the use of realistic situations, Twain reinforces the authenticity of his novel. However, Twain also employs rather whimsical narrative devices that are representative of Romanticism, such as Tom's particularly miraculous appearance near the end of the book. "It's Tom Sawyer!" For the jings, I almost collapsed on the floor! But there was no time to exchange knives; the old man took my hand and squeezed it, and continued to tremble. (215) It is simply illogical that Huck randomly shows up at the exact same house where Tom is expected. This truly absurd event is an example of Twain's use of Romanticism. A fusion between the two styles is evident in the actions of the duke and the king. Both characters use bizarre, yet effective, ploys to extort large sums of money from their victims. However, Twain interweaves these romantic and outrageous patterns with realistic and common events of his time period. This is evident in the meeting scene in the camp: he told them that he was a pirate... and, poor as he was... he dedicated the rest of his life trying to direct the pirates to the right path... Then someone sings: "Take up a collection for him, take up a collection!" (128).Using both the.