**Title: Exploring Mark Twain's Depiction of American Youth's Growth Process Through Huck's Journey in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn** **Abstract**: This paper examines Mark Twain's representation of American youth's growth journey in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Through a critical analysis of Huck's experiences, the paper explores how Twain portrays the evolving mentality, societal norms, and personal dilemmas of an adolescent during the Antebellum era. Utilizing textual analysis and historical context, the study reveals Twain's nuanced portrayal of Huck's transition from innocence to maturity, challenging traditional roles and norms of the time. **Introduction**: Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn stands as a landmark in American literature, not only for its humor and adventure but also for its incisive depiction of social norms and youth culture during the 19th century. Centering around the adventures of a teenage Huck Finn as he journeys along the Mississippi River, the novel provides a window into the coming-of-age experience of American youth. This paper aims to explore how Twain utilizes Huck's experiences to illustrate the growth process of American youth, addressing topics such as social conformity, personal agency, and moral dilemmas. **Literature Review**: Previous studies on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn have primarily focused on its literary merits, historical context, and societal criticisms. While much has been said about the novel's commentary on slavery, racism, and the American Dream, few have delved into the intricacies of Huck's personal growth. This paper builds upon these existing works, focusing specifically on how Twain's portrayal of Huck's journey resonates with the growth experiences of American youth. **Method**: This study employs textual analysis and historical context to interpret Huck's growth process in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Close readings of the novel's key scenes and passages are conducted to identify patterns and themes related to Huck's mental and emotional development. The historical context of the Antebellum era provides additional insights into the societal norms and expectations that Huck faces. **Results**: The analysis reveals that Huck's journey is a metaphorical coming-of-age process. Through encounters with societal injustice, Huck is forced to question the traditional roles and norms of his time. His relationship with Jim, a runaway slave, challenges Huck's initial prejudices and eventually leads to a deeper understanding of humanity and freedom. Huck's evolving moral compass and increasing sense of agency demonstrate his transition from innocence to maturity. **Discussion**: Twain's portrayal of Huck's growth process offers valuable insights into the coming-of-age experience of American youth. Huck's struggles and triumphs resonate with the personal dilemmas and quests for autonomy faced by young people today. Through Huck's journey, Twain not only critiques the societal norms of his time but also encourages readers to question and challenge traditional roles and expectations. **Conclusion**: In conclusion, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn serves as a poignant depiction of American youth's growth process. Through Huck's journey, Twain highlights the importance of personal agency, moral reasoning, and questioning traditional norms. This paper contributes to the existing literature by offering a nuanced understanding of Huck's growth process and its relevance to the coming-of-age experiences of young people today.
