Ryan Bell, a junior at the high school where my wife teaches, suggested during their discussion of "Huckleberry Finn" that Huck's description of the food at the Widow Douglas's mirrors the issue of race. Her food is nicely segregated, reflecting Southern values. Huck prefers his food all mixed up so the juice can swap around, a neatly desegregated view, mirroring how he will come to view Jim. I don't recall having encountered this read before, and find it amazing how practically every little item in the book resonates throughout. Anyway, I pass this along to the forum for whatever it may be worth. dennis eddings