Huckleberry Finn Reality Vs. Apperence

Essay by PaperNerd ContributorCollege, Undergraduate September 2001

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Reality vs. Appearance The conflict between reality and appearances caused many comic and tragic situations through out Mark Twain's novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. We see many situations in the novel where what we see is not really what it look like. I will speak about 2 situation where really and appearance is introduced to us.

First of all The Duke and Dauphin. These two criminals appear for much of the novel. They go around from town to town scamming people of their money. They change an identity that is appropriate for the town. They meet Jim and Huck and appear to be good people even made a sign for Jim saying that they were taking him to his owner (Jim had escape from). They meet the people of the town and they make them believe that they are the real king and duke.

The people of the town find out the truth when the real brothers of the decease.

They argue to see who is the real brother when one of them ask the king what kind tattoo did his brother had. When the king said the wrong answer they all when to dig up the body to see who was right about the tattoo. The Duke and The King escape because of the money that Huck had put in the coffin earlier.

Another situation where reality and appearance becomes a factor is when Huck dress up like a girl. This is to fool everybody around him, the less likely to figure it does. Huck might be dress up like a girl, but in the novel we see the steroid type of girl (can't throw, catch, or run properly). Huck knows all of this and knows how to this pretty well. The lady that is with him realized that now girl could do that so Huck is figure.

Those two were great examples of how reality vs. appearances was a great factor thought the novel. This showed not to believe everything we see in life. I believe that this were one of the most crucial reality vs. appearances in the novel.