Hypocrisy In Huckleberry Finn

Still a problem in today’s society, the treatment of African Americans continues to cause problems in books, movies, television, and music. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a novel by Mark Twain, Huck Finn, and a runaway slave, Jim, search for freedom while traveling down the Mississippi River. Throughout their journey characters including Huckleberry Finn, the Phelps Family, and the Duke and King, depict racism and discrimination of African Americans in differing ways.
Huckleberry Finn, a young boy from St. Petersburg’, is able to disregard the typical views of African Americans and see them as the humans they are. When Huck and Jim begin to converse and learn more about each other Huck is constantly surprised by Jim’s knowledge; even

when Huck tries to outsmart Jim, his plans do not work and his fun is ruined. This shock that Jim is “most always right [and has] an uncommon level head, for a [slave]” shows Huck is changing his opinions, and progressing past the stereotypes (Twain 57). Although at the beginning Huck appears to be racist, these views are only those that he has learned from the people around him and do not depict how he really feels. As Jim and Huck’s journey progresses, so do Huck’s thoughts on African Americans. One day while they are talking on the raft, Jim begins to discuss his daughter, her condition, and how he feels about her and the rest of his family.
Dumbfounded yet again, Huck “believes [Jim cares] just as much for his people as white folks do for [theirs], it does not seem natural [to Huck], but [he] reckons it is so” (Twain 117). These thoughts exemplify Huck’s development of character and common sense; he is beginning to realize that just because Jim is another race does not mean he is less human. Finally, towards the end of their great adventure, Huck is faced with a very difficult decision regarding Jim’s future. Contemplating whether or not to write a letter to Miss Watson declaring the location of Jim, Huck writes a letter only to rip it up and exclaim “all right then I’ll go to hell” (Twain 162). As a result, it is obvious Huck only treated African Americans the way he was taught, but after spending time with one and truly getting to understand and know them, Huck has made his own decision that Jim and all African Americans are equal to others.
Similarly, to Huck, the Phelps family is able to work past the stereotypical treatment of African Americans; however, they show some hypocrisy by owning slaves themselves.

When Huck first meets Aunt Sally she welcomes him with open arms, and later when Tom arrives she claims “it would not be Southern hospitality to [let him walk]” (Twain 172). This side of the Phelps Family shows their stereotypical southern farming family that owns slaves and has no problem without. Having said that, Aunt Sally and Uncle Silas contradict themselves by treating Jim, a runaway slave, with great care and kindness. One day when Tom and Huck are visiting Jim in his shack, Jim tells them how “Uncle Silas comes in every day or two to pray with him, and Aunt Sally comes in to see if he is comfortable and has plenty to eat, and both of them are as kind as they can be” (Twain 187). This side of the Phelps is the complete opposite of what one would expect, especially considering Jim is a runaway slave who in some cases were even hung.
Moreover, the Phelps show their kindness and disregard for the race when they “fix [Jim] up prime, and give him all he wanted to eat, and a good time, and nothing to do” (Twain 220). These acts of consideration show that although the Phelps family owns slaves, they acknowledge the fact that African Americans should be treated well and do not deserve to be discriminated against.
Contrasting the views of Huck Finn and the Phelps family, the Duke and the King are unable to see past how society has told them to view and treat African

Americans.