Character Analysis of Pap Finn
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a nonfiction novel written by Mark Twain is a story of adventure, racism, growing up, change, learning, and most importantly; a story of its time. The novel was written after the American Civil War, but the events in it were based before. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel with very diverse characters, each showing themes that make up the story. However, one character gives the novel a huge amount of impact. Pap Finn, the father of the main character and narrator, is a character that greatly effects the whole entire novel. Although Pap is not present throughout the whole novel, he influences his son, Huck into many things that make the novel into what it is.
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In the beginning of the novel mostly, Pap is a major character for many reasons. He is a static and flat character who never changes from his abusive, ignorant, alcoholic and racist self. Although he is not physically present in most of the story, he is present in the thoughts and actions of Huck. Growing up, Pap was never the dad Huck wanted and needed him to be; he was never there for him and even used him to get what he wanted at times. The novel states, “..and he went to Judge Thatcher's and bullyragged him, and tried to make him give up the money; but he couldn't, and then he swore he'd make the law force him,” (Twain, 50). This quote explains how Pap tried to get his sons money for one reason; alcohol. Pap will do anything he possible can to get his alcohol because he is an addict. He will steal, lie and even abuse his son to get what he wants. For this reason, Pap is also an antagonist throughout the novel. Huck is always fighting against his father; both physically and mentally. So Pap Finn is an addict, but there are good qualities to him, right? It’s not too hard to realize that this statement is false. Fathers are supposed to want what’s best for their kids, but Pap is not the same. Pap says to Huck, “You've put on considerable many frills since I been away. I'll take you down a peg before I get done with you. You're educated, too, they say—can read and write. You think you're …show more content…
Just like Pap, dark characters shape the plot and events into what they are. One character in particular relates to Paps characterization in every aspect. Frank Gallagher from the Netflix series, “Shameless,” has multiple kids that he takes advantage of. Throughout the series, he watches as his oldest daughter takes care of all the kids, works to pay for the house, puts groceries in the fridge and everything else a parent should do. Frank is also an alcoholic who steals all the money he can from his kids for more alcohol. Instead of helping his family, he drags around town stealing anything he can get his hands on. Also, just like Pap, Frank will never be happy for his kids, say he is proud of them or let them know that they are more superior to him in any way. Frank and Pap are the exact opposite of foils. Another character, Bob Ewell, in To Kill a Mockingbird, is also like Pap. “Bob is a low-life, the worst example of white trash” (Lynnenh). Pap and Bob both abuse their children and drink their lives away everyday. Both characters from each novel are alike in their lifestyle choices, how they treat others and their personality traits. Although my grandfather is not a character from a book or a movie, he also relates to Pap in several ways. Growing up, he was not supportive of my mother and he was an alcoholic. He was not a great father figure and my mom had to learn how to grow up with the person he
Mark Twain wrote the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. At the beginning of the novel, Huck Finn is an immature thirteen year old boy. He goes south on a river with a runaway slave, Jim, trying to leave his old life behind. During the course of the novel, Huck meets many different people who teach him very valuable lessons. Throughout the novel, Huck has changed in several different ways. There are many things that he obtained from these people that will help Huck build the foundation of the person that he will become. He learns what true friendship is, how dependable, and how to be honest.
The relationship between Huckleberry Finn and Jim are central to Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Huck's relationships with individual characters are unique in their own way; however, his relationship with Jim is one that is ever changing and sincere. As a poor, uneducated boy, Huck distrusts the morals and intentions of the society that treats him as an outcast and fails to protect him from abuse. The uneasiness about society, and his growing relationship with Jim, leads Huck to question many of the teachings that he has received, especially concerning race and slavery. Twain makes it evident that Huck is a young boy who comes from the lowest levels of white society. Huck's father, Pap, is a drunk who disappears for
T.S. Elliot said, "Huck is alone: there is no more solitary figure in fiction. The fact that he has a father only emphasizes its loneliness; and he views his father with a terrifying detachment" (329). Most parents like to see their children excel in life and become productive members of society, but Pap is thinking only about himself. Instead of wishing the best for his son, he is angry because he is becoming a better person than his father. This man would be an awful influence on any child, and should be kept away from Huck.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written in 1885, is a literary satire written by Mark Twain. The setting of the novel takes place prior to the Civil War along the Mississippi River. This novel presents moral and ethical problems that southern culture placed on individuals during the time period it was written. Twain wrote his Realist period novel to criticize what he believed was wrong with the society of his time. Twain presented his novel through the eyes and speech of the twelve year-old Huckleberry Finn to show his criticism towards this society. Although the novel has been criticized since its publication, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is still considered one of the greatest American novels ever written. Twain uses Huck
In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written by Mark Twain in the 19th century is about a young boy named Huck Finn and Jim, a runaway slave who go on an adventure. The two travel on a raft along the Mississippi river creating a bond and making memories. Mark Twain presents Huckleberry Finn as a dynamic character who at first views Jim as property and eventually considers Jim as a friend, showing a change in maturity.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is a satire written by Mark Twain. The novel is based on the series of adventures that the protagonist, Huckleberry Finn, and his companion a runaway slave named Jim go on. In the novel, the protagonist, Huck Finn's mind is pulled in conflicting directions by two compelling desires.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a novel written by Mark Twain, is an important literary work because of it's use of satire. It is a story written about a boy, Huck, in search of freedom and adventure. In the beginning of the story you learn what has happened since The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Huck and Tom found a hidden treasure that was later invested for them. Huck was taken in by Mrs. Watson, who attempted to teach him religion and proper manners, but was taken away when his father returned. Pap, being a drunk and abusive father, imprisons Huck because he wants the money Huck has invested for him. Huck fakes his own death and hides out on Jackson's Island, where he discovers Jim, Mrs. Watson's former slave, is also hiding. Jim
Even though Pap is Huck’s biological father, he is everything a father shouldn’t be. For example, he constantly leaves Huck home alone, confined in his cabin for a long period of time. "Every little while he locked me in and went down to the store, three miles, to the ferry, and traded fish and game for wiskey and fetched it home and got drunk and had a good time, and licked me."(Twain 35) This quote not only shows that Huck was left on his own, it also shows that Pap is not a suitable father because of his drinking problem, and also his abusive behavior. His drinking problem is not only a waste of money, but it is a dangerous addiction not only for Pap’s health, but for Huck’s. "He chased me round and round the place with a clasp knife, calling me the Angel of Death, and saying he would kill me, and then I couldent come for him no more. I begged, and told him I was only Huck; but he laughed such a screechy laugh, and roared and cussed , and kept on chasing me up." (39) This quote shows that during one of his hallucinations, he almost kills Huck. Alcohol
The first contrast between Jim and Pap is the initial reaction Huck has when encountering them. When Huck is on Jackson’s Island, presumably alone, but then comes across a smoldering fire, he is at first frightened, but once he sees that the other refugee is Jim, he pops right out of the bushes and greets him. He is glad for his company. However, when signs of Pap being around are apparent, Huck is seen to panic, and rushes off to rid himself of his fortune. He knows that Pap is greedy enough to steal from anyone, even his own son. When they come face to face, it becomes clear that Huck is afraid of his father, who used to beat him while in a drunken state. During this confrontation, it becomes clear that Pap resents that Huck is being educated, and feels threatened by it. On the contrary, Jim teaches Huck what he knows, and is proud of him for thinking up schemes, such as faking his death to escape his father’s grasp. As Jim and Huck travel together, Jim shows more consideration and a protective nature for Huck, and he tries to act, as much as he can, as a shield between Huck and the corrupt world, which is something Huck’s father never did. On the contrary, Pap exposed Huck to more corruption than most others his age, such as Tom Sawyer, were expected to have been exposed to.
Huck has had enough with their failed relationship, deciding he can handle such an atrocity, he decides he will run away from his monster of an alcoholic father. Pap will never be able to have a relationship with his father, because he was probably drunk, got into an argument and was shot and killed. Alcoholic parents’ actions often hinder the child’s ability to tell what is right from wrong.
American author Mark Twain was one of the most influential people of his time. Twain is perhaps best known for his traditional classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a novel about an adventurous boy named Huck Finn as he traverses about on the Mississippi. Under first impressions, Huckleberry Finn would be considered nothing but a children’s tale at heart written by the highly creative Mark Twain. However one interprets it, one can undoubtedly presume that Twain included personal accounts within its pages, humorous and solemn opinions on the aspects of the diverse societies around him during his life. Throughout the entire story, Huck Finn would often come into conflict between choosing what was consciously right and what was morally
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a book about a boy who travels down the river with a runaway slave. Twain uses these two characters to poke fun at society. They go through many trials, tribulations, and tests of their friendship and loyalty. Huck Finn, the protagonist, uses his instinct to get himself and his slave friend Jim through many a pickle. In the book, there are examples of civilized, primitive, and natural man.
Much of the book focuses on the white people, which seems to make them the protagonists and therefore the “good” people but Twain actually makes the white people “bad” overall. In general, the white people of the story show many bad qualities including being prejudice and selfish. Right from the beginning of the story, one of the worst characters is introduced as Huckleberry’s dad, Pap. Pap is both egotistic and prejudice. He only comes to find Huck because he wants to take all of Huck's’ money for himself. Although Pap is not able to take all of Huck's money, he does force Huck to give him small increments of money from time to time. Once Pap is kicked out of the town, he kidnaps Huck to impose what he thinks is the correct lifestyle on Huck. Not only is Pap a bad influence because he is always drinking or drunk, but he also
Huck's father is absent until he finds out that Huck has found some money. Pap is an outcast full of hate for blacks and pretty much for all of society. Huck, as a product of his society, speaks the language of his society. By choosing as his point-of-view a young boy from the slave south, Twain is able to present and challenge the values and assumptions of this time. Among the assumptions and values of the time that the reader encounters in the book are the strict definitions pertaining to Huck's world and the people who inhabit it:
In the Adventure of Huckleberry Finn, written by Samuel Clemens, a young boy by the name of Huck gets into various situations while trying to discover himself and just have fun. To keep the novel unified the author uses the recurrent motifs of slavery, violence, and caring.