The setting in Huck Finn supplements the possiblity of a young child like Huck to witness so much violence. Throughout the novel, we see the south become a home where invalid morals, laws that didn’t protect Huck from his abusive father, and vigilanties prevail. Twain constantly uses violence as a motif that ultimately is a theme describing Huck’s settings.
For example, when Huck arrives on the steps of the Grangerfords, he is welcomed with guns, a symbol of violence. As he learns about the feud between the Shepdersons, he indirectly starts to grow distant from them, but really the violence within them. The Grangerfords become an example of a model southern family by Twain that is compelled by injustice and immorality. These familes create an unappealing atmosphere for Huck.
The next town Huck approaches has another colonel that shoots a man in broad daylight. The ramification of every violent act he witnesses causes him to grow distant from the lawless and violent citizens around him. In the end, Huck may have find himself morally isolated from his setting because of the lack of moral and justice Twain may have wanted to expose about the south.
I felt that the point where you mentioned that Huck, “… indirectly starts to grow distant from them, but really the violence within them. ” could have been elaborated on. It is a great observation, but seems to lack the proper wording. Otherwise, a great description and observation of the novel.
This is very interesting. I never would have related violence with Huck’s setting at that point. The abusiveness of his father definitely shows how corrupt his mind and setting has become throughout the book.