The River
The Mississippi River is a central theme in both Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Big River. While Twain uses the river as a symbol of friendship and the journey of life in the novel, the musical play incorporates and elaborates upon these themes in several ways.
Even the title Big River reflects the importance of the river within the musical adaptation, and many other elements of the play do as well. Firstly, the river serves as the literal centerpiece of the stage in Big River: "The backdrop is a sepia-toned etching of the Mississippi river, flowing toward us from the horizon. The river spills out of the backdrop, becoming a flight of wooden steps which descend to the stage floor. There, it flows as wooden planking on down to the apron" (Hauptman viii). This scenery creates the impression that the audience is on the river with Huck and Jim, as part of the setting and the story. The importance and centrality of the river is emphasized through the fact that it is always visible onstage. The photo above shows one version of the river as the backdrop; though the main action is on the pier, the river is ever-present in the background. Ultimately, the Mississippi river is an integral part of the story, a constant reminder to the audience of the setting and of the importance that the river plays in the lives of Huck and Jim.
Even the title Big River reflects the importance of the river within the musical adaptation, and many other elements of the play do as well. Firstly, the river serves as the literal centerpiece of the stage in Big River: "The backdrop is a sepia-toned etching of the Mississippi river, flowing toward us from the horizon. The river spills out of the backdrop, becoming a flight of wooden steps which descend to the stage floor. There, it flows as wooden planking on down to the apron" (Hauptman viii). This scenery creates the impression that the audience is on the river with Huck and Jim, as part of the setting and the story. The importance and centrality of the river is emphasized through the fact that it is always visible onstage. The photo above shows one version of the river as the backdrop; though the main action is on the pier, the river is ever-present in the background. Ultimately, the Mississippi river is an integral part of the story, a constant reminder to the audience of the setting and of the importance that the river plays in the lives of Huck and Jim.
The importance of the river is also emphasized in Big River through its musical numbers. In particular, the songs “Muddy Water” and “River in the Rain” convey to the audience the deep the connection to the water that Jim and Huck share. Both of these songs are sung by Jim and Huck as duets, emphasizing their togetherness on the river.
In "Muddy Water," both Huck and Jim claim that "I got a need for going someplace, and I got a need to climb upon your back and ride." Both characters need the river to escape from their problems in St. Petersburg; for Huck, that problem is his abusive Pap, and for Jim it is a life in slavery. Their journey together on the river ultimately helps Huck and Jim to recognize their similarities and build a friendship that bridges the racial gap between them. At the end of the play, Huck and Jim reunite to sing a reprise of "River in the Rain," acknowledging their appreciation for the river as a symbol of their journey and their friendship: "Whether the sunshine, whether the rain, river I love you just the same" (Hauptman 109). The river is what ultimately brings these two unlikely friends together; it allows them a unique chance to live and learn from each other while literally traveling down a river-road of life.
In "Muddy Water," both Huck and Jim claim that "I got a need for going someplace, and I got a need to climb upon your back and ride." Both characters need the river to escape from their problems in St. Petersburg; for Huck, that problem is his abusive Pap, and for Jim it is a life in slavery. Their journey together on the river ultimately helps Huck and Jim to recognize their similarities and build a friendship that bridges the racial gap between them. At the end of the play, Huck and Jim reunite to sing a reprise of "River in the Rain," acknowledging their appreciation for the river as a symbol of their journey and their friendship: "Whether the sunshine, whether the rain, river I love you just the same" (Hauptman 109). The river is what ultimately brings these two unlikely friends together; it allows them a unique chance to live and learn from each other while literally traveling down a river-road of life.