Huckleberry Finn Essay Example

kings or dukes but rather deceitful impostors" (Pg.125). Just as these men maintain a deceptive facade, Mark Twain uses Huck to demonstrate that he can perceive through society's own pretenses. Furthermore, this mockery extends to the fact that these individuals pretend to be of royal lineage. When Jim questions why these men engage in such behavior, Huck replies, "Because it's in their nature" (Pg.125).Mark Twain conveys the idea that society desires connection to royalty, unaware that many kings are scoundrels. Demonstrating this notion is the duke and king, who embody greediness and deceitfulness. Twain expresses his disdain for society's avarice through the king and duke, highlighting how it only prioritizes its own needs. In one instance, the duo sells Jim to Mr. Phelps for their own financial gain, disregarding Huck and Jim's aid (pg.205). Another example of their greed occurs when they consider restaging the Nonesuch due to its lucrative potential, yet fear the spread of news (Pg.155). Eventually, they resort to pretending to be the long-lost brothers of Peter Wilks in order to steal his inheritance intended for his daughters. This self-serving act disregards the girls' well-being and future prospects.Mark Twain expresses his revulsion towards these individuals as Huck states, "It was enough to make a body ashamed of the human race." This showcases Twain's clear disdain for the materialistic nature of society, where people are willing to engage in any action that serves their own interests.

Mark Twain expresses his disdain for society through the deceptive actions of the king and the duke. These two individuals masquerade as someone else in order to gain personal advantage. One incident illustrating their greed occurs when they

pose as famous actors, Mr. Garrick and Mr. Kean, deceiving and exploiting the people of Arkansas for financial gain. The duke openly declares, "I'm in up to the hub for anything that will pay..." (Pg. 129), showing his willingness to exploit others by assuming false identities. Similarly, the king demonstrates his cunning and deceitfulness during a camp meeting. He delivers a speech falsely claiming to be a reformed pirate seeking donations to continue his supposed mission of converting fellow pirates. Exploiting the churchgoers' trust, they happily contribute funds, unaware of the king's true intentions. These instances highlight Twain's depiction of these men as morally bankrupt and devoid of conscience.

The king and the duke effectively exemplify society's lifestyle. Mark Twain satirizes them to highlight society's errors. The objective of this book is not to portray society as racist towards black individuals, but to encourage a shift in society's mindset towards them and rectify their misguided beliefs. Mark Twain confronts racism by highlighting the wrongdoings of white people, aiming to bring about the realization that equality extends to all, regardless of skin color.