In at least one hundred words, how does Mark Twain use his characters to help readers understand universal themes?

Answer:

In his work, Twain explores various themes prevalent in American literature. Frequent topics that arise throughout the narrative include freedom, nature, and personal conscience. The theme of freedom is pivotal, as Huck seeks liberation from Widow Douglas and his father, while Jim desires to escape bondage.

A central concept in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is freedom—and the lack thereof. Jim, as an enslaved individual, is denied his liberty. He flees to avoid being sold further south and is desperate for his emancipation. An additional key issue in this narrative is, undeniably, race.