Metaphors In Huck Finn

Huck Finn Observes a Murder and a Circus

Mark Twain uses several metaphors throughout two opposite episodes to expose the reality of humanity. During the first episode, a violent event occurs where a drunken man is shot and killed for feuding with a realist. This man is portrayed to have humanity figured out when the mob tries to avenge Col Sherburn for killing Boggs. Sherburn’s detailed speech describes how there is strength in numbers but oneself is cowardly without the other. Col confidently points out that the mob is cowardly and weak since no one has the courage themselves to lynch him. After Sherburn’s speech, the mob disperses quickly since they know he is right.
During the second episode, the main character, Huck, experiences a circus filled with joy. The circus is described with people riding horses, women dancing and clowns making jokes. As this occurs, a drunken man insists on riding a horse, however, the audience disagrees aggressively. The ring master, a position that Huck did not want to be in, allows the drunken man a ride. At

During the first episode, the mob wants to lynch Sherburn for killing Boggs. Then, during the second episode, the crowd of the circus enjoys watching a man dangerously fail at riding a horse. In Huck’s perspective, he did not like experiencing both episodes because he disagreed with the amount of violence that is occurring. The mob represents humanity and its wrongness. Twain demonstrates how humanity follows what other people do and their weakness by not voicing their opinions. Instead of people walking against the crowd, humanity follows suit of everyone else even when they know what they are doing is injustice.
In conclusion, Mark Twain exposes humanity throughout two opposite episodes of violence and joy. The author uses these episodes as metaphors to prove humanities cowardly actions and the lengths people will go to, to not look