Lies, cons, and deceit are present throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, a novel composed in the 1800s. The three are very similar, however, when compared are slightly different. Huck experiences many, some even coming from himself, with the conmen participating in several of their own acts. The brain is an important part for this theme. Research on lying shows many possible reasons on why people choose to lie, with studies showing that once you lie you are prone to lie more because it becomes easier, almost like an addiction. A study done at University College London revealed that the amygdala, a part in the brain controlling emotional processing and arousal, changes when a lie is told. This activates the amygdala, but
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Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of the English Language defines a con as “a trick; an act of cheating somebody” (1), and some might even classify it as a scam. DiSalvo, a science writer and contributor to many articles, wrote a short story of him being conned. One night he was approached by a young college-aged woman and, after explaining her situation of not having money for gas, DiSalvo gave her five dollars. Later finding out he was conned, he did not give in to the next woman that asked for money, instead he simply continued his grocery shopping. David explained that it is quite easy to be conned because of the “Trust Trap,” once a bond of trust is there, it will continue to develop. In circumstances of trust, our brains are guided by oxytocin. When trust is well imitated, oxytocin is released, “The problem is that our brain wants to extend trust once it has been extended to us” (DiSalvo 2), thus, people fall for the con. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the king goes to a camp-meeting and builds a relationship with the people. He preaches and, eventually, tells a made up story of being a pirate. Upon finishing someone yells, ‘Take up a collection for him… Let him pass the hat around’ (Twain 132). Building the relationship and telling a lie works for the king, he cons the people of money and
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of the English Language defines a con as “a trick; an act of cheating somebody” (1), and some might even classify it as a scam. DiSalvo, a science writer and contributor to many articles, wrote a short story of him being conned. One night he was approached by a young college-aged woman and, after explaining her situation of not having money for gas, DiSalvo gave her five dollars. Later finding out he was conned, he did not give in to the next woman that asked for money, instead he simply continued his grocery shopping. David explained that it is quite easy to be conned because of the “Trust Trap,” once a bond of trust is there, it will continue to develop. In circumstances of trust, our brains are guided by oxytocin. When trust is well imitated, oxytocin is released, “The problem is that our brain wants to extend trust once it has been extended to us” (DiSalvo 2), thus, people fall for the con. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the king goes to a camp-meeting and builds a relationship with the people. He preaches and, eventually, tells a made up story of being a pirate. Upon finishing someone yells, ‘Take up a collection for him… Let him pass the hat around’ (Twain 132). Building the relationship and telling a lie works for the king, he cons the people of money and