Theme Of Hypocrisy In The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain 's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published in 1884, has been an ideal representation of the era and considered a true classic American novel. The novel takes place during the Antebellum, or pre-war period, of the United States prior to the Civil War. The circumstances of this time period prompt the title character, Huckleberry Finn, to face compelling internal as well as external conflicts of society. The need for freedom versus the obligation of adhering to the hypocrisy of a "civilized" society is a significant struggle that Huckleberry Finn faces continuously throughout the course of the novel. However, the underlying theme of the novel is the conflict concerning racism and slavery against that of friendship and camaraderie,

However, Mark Twain exposes the characters, particularly Huckleberry Finn and Jim, to the darker parts of society including the hypocrisy that exist in their culture. Although the community is supposedly assembled on the foundation of rules and laws, the reality is grim and often includes people doing illogical things that come with violent and hefty consequences. Towards the beginning of the novel, the judge allows Huck to remain under the custody of his drunken father, Pap, as it is his legal right. However, placing the responsibility of Huck on Pap 's hands compromises Huck 's welfare. Huck states that "...Pap took it and got drunk... and next day they had him before court, and jailed him again for a week. But he said he was satisfied; said he was boss of his son,, and he 'd make it warm for him" (Twain, 23). As Jim and Huck continue their journey along the Mississippi River they encounter people from neighboring towns, including two feuding families, the Shepherdsons and the Grangerfords. "Next Sunday we all went to church, about three mile, everybody a-horseback. The men took their guns along, so did Buck, and kept them between their knees or stood them handy against the wall. The Shepherdsons done the same. It was pretty ornery preaching—all about brotherly love, and such-like tiresomeness; but everybody said it was a good sermon …"

As the story progresses between Huck and Jim, Huck realizes that Jim truly cares about him and the possibility of a true friendship breaks through the barriers of racism and slavery. Ever since then they slowly form a bond of a strong relationship that eventually causes Huck to risk his life to save Jim from being sold into slavery in New Orleans. Jim expresses that "“What do dey stan’ for? I’se gwyne to tell you. When I got all wore out wid work, en wid de callin’ for you, en went to sleep, my heart wuz mos’ broke bekase you wuz los’, en I didn’ k’yer no’ mo’ what become er me en de raf’(Twain, 80). On their voyage on the raft, Huck and Jim lost each other on a foggy night. Huck played a trick on Jim saying that it was a dream. However, Huck realized that Jim was truly worried that he had lost Huck and said that he was heartbroken. At that moment in the novel, Huck becomes aware of the fact that Jim genuinely cares about Huck and that marks the start of their friendship along their adventure. Jim illustrates their friendship by stating "Dah you goes, de ole true Huck; de on 'y white genlman dat ever kep ' his promise to ole Jim" (Twain, 83). This quote explains that Huck is willing to face the repercussions of society and risks associated with helping a runaway slave for the camaraderie they both share. Jim is grateful to Huck, as he