Civil Disobedience And The Ending Of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn
One of the most debated topics related to education includes the controversy of realistically influential books such as “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and countless others. “Huckleberry Finn” in particular is one with a less than perfect reality that addresses the culture of the Mississippi in the late 1800s to the early 1900s . Mark Twain’s writing style in this novel is especially effective in revealing human flaws and problems; this book is one of great significance and should not be banned from schools .
As a high school student living in the modern times, many things are seen as offensive. Especially, topics dealing with racism and inequality; both which are demonstrated in this novel. Which brings us to the question: Should …show more content…
Robert C. Evans says in his essay, Civil Disobedience and the Ending of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, “Pap is motivated not by any claims of selfless conscience but by pure and naked self-interest. Pap is angry that Huck—who has been adopted by the Widow Douglas and whose money is under the protection of Judge Thatcher—has slipped out of his father's total control. Pap excoriates the " govment" because he thinks it has robbed him of a piece of valuable personal property (" a man's own son "), and indeed he speaks of Huck almost as if Huck were a slave.” Pap acts selfishly, because he wants Huck to be under his total control. He is scared that Huck will be a greater, more educated person than he will and what better way to fix that problem than to kidnap his own son? “ ...And looky here -- you drop that school, you hear? I’ll learn to bring up a boy to put on airs over his own father and let on the be better’n what he is. You lemme catch you fooling around that school again, you hear? (Huckleberry Finn, 18).His traits are similar to those of the Prince and the Duke who are manipulative con men keen on lying, cheating and scamming others to get money. Pap does a similar thing in which, he lies to the new judge claiming that he would stop drinking so he could get Huck back. This shows that people are willing to do anything just to get what they want. Pap’s character demonstrates- insecurity, fear and selfishness- the human flaws in a person.
The satirical irony of this story is what really makes it an epic novel. “Huckleberry Finn” pokes fun at the serious issues through it’s rather ignorant characters. For example, the Grangerford and Shepherdson households. At church they sit hand in hand preaching about “brotherly love”. But once the church is out of the vicinity, they bring out their guns and murder attempts. The ironic twist to this plot though is that they don’t even know
As a high school student living in the modern times, many things are seen as offensive. Especially, topics dealing with racism and inequality; both which are demonstrated in this novel. Which brings us to the question: Should …show more content…
Robert C. Evans says in his essay, Civil Disobedience and the Ending of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, “Pap is motivated not by any claims of selfless conscience but by pure and naked self-interest. Pap is angry that Huck—who has been adopted by the Widow Douglas and whose money is under the protection of Judge Thatcher—has slipped out of his father's total control. Pap excoriates the " govment" because he thinks it has robbed him of a piece of valuable personal property (" a man's own son "), and indeed he speaks of Huck almost as if Huck were a slave.” Pap acts selfishly, because he wants Huck to be under his total control. He is scared that Huck will be a greater, more educated person than he will and what better way to fix that problem than to kidnap his own son? “ ...And looky here -- you drop that school, you hear? I’ll learn to bring up a boy to put on airs over his own father and let on the be better’n what he is. You lemme catch you fooling around that school again, you hear? (Huckleberry Finn, 18).His traits are similar to those of the Prince and the Duke who are manipulative con men keen on lying, cheating and scamming others to get money. Pap does a similar thing in which, he lies to the new judge claiming that he would stop drinking so he could get Huck back. This shows that people are willing to do anything just to get what they want. Pap’s character demonstrates- insecurity, fear and selfishness- the human flaws in a person.
The satirical irony of this story is what really makes it an epic novel. “Huckleberry Finn” pokes fun at the serious issues through it’s rather ignorant characters. For example, the Grangerford and Shepherdson households. At church they sit hand in hand preaching about “brotherly love”. But once the church is out of the vicinity, they bring out their guns and murder attempts. The ironic twist to this plot though is that they don’t even know