“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain is a classic novel set in the mid-19th century in America. During this time, racial tensions and slavery were at an all time high. Throughout this novel, Twain exposes the flawed and corrupt system that encouraged owning, trading, and selling African Americans was a normal act. *theme statement here idk yet* Twain’s pessimistic tone is evident throughout the entire novel. He does not offer any easy solutions or hope for change, which does not give society much room for growth. Twain’s portrayal of some of the characters in the novel are often bleak and unfavorable. He shows how people use religion and social conventions to justify their mistreatments of others. For example, when Huck and Jim …show more content…
Huck Finn’s father, Pap Finn, is one of the most prominent examples of hypocrisy in the novel. Pap Finn is known for being an abusive, racist, drunk who has been arrested multiple times. After he is released and gains custody of Huck he goes on this long racial tangent that ends with him trying to murder Huck. “He chased me round and round the place with a clasp-knife, calling me the Angel of Death, and saying he would kill me, and then I couldn’t come for him no more” (pg 31). This is extremely hypocritical because Huck’s father is an immensely flawed human being with a lot of issues. Anyone with eyes can see that Pap is not a good person nor a good father, but is released to take care of Huck anyways. He is given so much privilege just simply because of the color of his skin. Another example of hypocrisy is when the Duke stated how all black men were thieves when he himself is a thief and a con artist. “Because Mary Jane ‘ll be in mourning from this out; and first you know the n***** that does up the rooms will get an order to box these duds up and put ‘em away; and do you reckon a n***** can run across money and not borrow some of it?” (pg