Society’s morals are often hypocritical in that many people adopt a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude. For those not native to American culture, or even raised outside the traditional standards of civilization, understanding those morals can be challenging, and can lead to ostracization of that person. Although fictional, Huckleberry Finn, from Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is a prime example of such an ostracization. The Huckleberry Finn encountered in everyday civilization is heavily influenced by a hypocritical set of morals that tell him to live a certain way, yet also condone others who live in opposition to that way, resulting in him being a lying, manipulative character, especially when under the influence of Tom Sawyer. However, when he is away from society, and on the raft, he can follow his own set of morals, resulting in him being a noble, humanitarian person.
The society that Huckleberry was raised in followed the traditional morals of the South, in that they prided themselves on their approach of equality, yet thought people of color were a substandard species that were to be used at their disposal. This inherent racism bled over into Huck’s own personal set of values, especially in his early treatment of Jim, the slave. While at Miss Watson’s Huck plays a cruel prank on him, which appears even crueler because Huck knew that Jim was already a superstitious man …show more content…
During both the beginning and end of the novel, Huck follows Tom’s lead in doing un-noble and un-humanitarian acts. This directly contradicts his actions when he is alone, and given time to reflect on his own morals. During those times, he quickly defends Jim and follows a nobler path. Such as when he saves him from the slave catchers and the people hunting them on the
The society that Huckleberry was raised in followed the traditional morals of the South, in that they prided themselves on their approach of equality, yet thought people of color were a substandard species that were to be used at their disposal. This inherent racism bled over into Huck’s own personal set of values, especially in his early treatment of Jim, the slave. While at Miss Watson’s Huck plays a cruel prank on him, which appears even crueler because Huck knew that Jim was already a superstitious man …show more content…
During both the beginning and end of the novel, Huck follows Tom’s lead in doing un-noble and un-humanitarian acts. This directly contradicts his actions when he is alone, and given time to reflect on his own morals. During those times, he quickly defends Jim and follows a nobler path. Such as when he saves him from the slave catchers and the people hunting them on the