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Character Analysis Of Pap Finn In The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

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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. …show more content…

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

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