Throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain utilizes the motif of hypocrisy in a “civilized,” society to lead readers to the conclusion that civilization, while convenient for survival purposes, can easily become morally corrupt. Twain develops this motif over the course of the novel, using various characters as vessels for the message. From the beginning, Twain makes it clear to his reader that Huck’s morals are much more advanced than those of the average young, white boy during the time period. He is not financially or educationally privileged, having grown up with Pap as his abusive father. Generally speaking, Huck is not racist, which is extremely uncommon in that time period, given the legality of slavery. Given his upbringing,
…show more content…
In fact, he is exceptionally offended by news of a free African American who was allowed to vote, stating that he will, “…never vote again… I says to the people, why ain’t this n----- put up at auction and sold?” (Twain 27). Pap is upset at the ability of a black man to vote in a government that he views as his. As a solution to the problem, he chooses to stop voting entirely. This is exceedingly hypocritical of Pap, seeing as how voting is the only way to have an impact on the government as a civilian. Pap’s willingness to stop voting and actively taking part in government represents a much larger portion of society at that time. He represents a group of pre-Civil War Southerners who would rather leave the Union than stay in it and be equal with African Americans. In deciding to refrain from voting, or in the overall South’s case, leave the Union, any bit of power previously held is given up. With Pap, his decision to stop voting, just because a black man could vote as well, relinquishing any power Pap’s vote had before. In doing so, Pap is supplying additional authority to the individuals he wholeheartedly believes it should be kept …show more content…
However, Pap is not the only character guilty of hypocrisy in the novel. Huck witnesses an abundance of hypocrisy throughout his stay with the Grangerfords. Upon his arrival, Huck immediately hears of their feud with the nearby Sherpardsons, as they immediately inquire into whether or not they sent him to infiltrate their home. Shortly after, while walking with Buck, a Sherpardson shoots in their direction and fighting issues. Huck is completely befuddled by the sudden attack, prompting Buck to explain, “well… a feud is this way: A man has a quarrel with another man, and kills him; then that other man’s brother kills HIM; then the other brothers, on both sides, goes for one another; then the COUSINS chip in—and by and by everybody’s killed off, and there ain’t no more feud. But it’s kind of slow, and takes a long time,” (Twain 109). This description derives from a boy around Huck’s age from a prominent and respected family. In displaying this sort of behavior from a family considered to be the epitome of “civilized,” Twain satirizes the idea of a scale measuring civility based on relative wealth and social standing. The Grangerfords are clearly rich, as they own one slave per family member and live in an extravagant house which places them at the top of the pre-Civil War social standings in the
In fact, he is exceptionally offended by news of a free African American who was allowed to vote, stating that he will, “…never vote again… I says to the people, why ain’t this n----- put up at auction and sold?” (Twain 27). Pap is upset at the ability of a black man to vote in a government that he views as his. As a solution to the problem, he chooses to stop voting entirely. This is exceedingly hypocritical of Pap, seeing as how voting is the only way to have an impact on the government as a civilian. Pap’s willingness to stop voting and actively taking part in government represents a much larger portion of society at that time. He represents a group of pre-Civil War Southerners who would rather leave the Union than stay in it and be equal with African Americans. In deciding to refrain from voting, or in the overall South’s case, leave the Union, any bit of power previously held is given up. With Pap, his decision to stop voting, just because a black man could vote as well, relinquishing any power Pap’s vote had before. In doing so, Pap is supplying additional authority to the individuals he wholeheartedly believes it should be kept …show more content…
However, Pap is not the only character guilty of hypocrisy in the novel. Huck witnesses an abundance of hypocrisy throughout his stay with the Grangerfords. Upon his arrival, Huck immediately hears of their feud with the nearby Sherpardsons, as they immediately inquire into whether or not they sent him to infiltrate their home. Shortly after, while walking with Buck, a Sherpardson shoots in their direction and fighting issues. Huck is completely befuddled by the sudden attack, prompting Buck to explain, “well… a feud is this way: A man has a quarrel with another man, and kills him; then that other man’s brother kills HIM; then the other brothers, on both sides, goes for one another; then the COUSINS chip in—and by and by everybody’s killed off, and there ain’t no more feud. But it’s kind of slow, and takes a long time,” (Twain 109). This description derives from a boy around Huck’s age from a prominent and respected family. In displaying this sort of behavior from a family considered to be the epitome of “civilized,” Twain satirizes the idea of a scale measuring civility based on relative wealth and social standing. The Grangerfords are clearly rich, as they own one slave per family member and live in an extravagant house which places them at the top of the pre-Civil War social standings in the