The chapters in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that star the Grangerfords contain humor, sadness, and an allusion to the play, Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. There is some subtle humor when Huck first asks Buck about the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons. “‘What was the trouble about, Buck?¾land?’ ‘I reckon maybe¾I don’t know.’ ‘Well, who done the shooting? Was it a Grangerford or a Shepherdson?’ ‘Laws, how do I know? It was so long ago’” (Twain 110).  The feud in itself is no laughing matter, however, the fact that there is no longer any living person who knows why the feud began in the first place is comical. People are killing each other and no one except for Huck even stops to ask why. Huck views the feud how most people would, as medieval. He does not understand it, but it is the only life that the Grangerfords have ever known. Though the Grangerfords are a generally happy family there are aspects of their lives that are a bit morbid.      

Both from the feud and other causes the Grangerfords have lost many family members. Emmeline was Buck’s sister and she was known for her artistic talents, primarily writing poems for the dead. Huck stumbled across Emmeline’s old room only to discover a shrine to her that was kept in perfect condition. “Poor Emmeline made poetry about all the dead people when she was alive, and it didn’t seem right that there warn’t nobody to make some about her now she was gone…” (106). On the surface the Grangerfords appear to be very happy. This quote reveals a darker side to their lives.  Though they are friendly people the Grangerfords are a bit morbid. While most people would view their relationship with the Shephersons as barbaric they do not think anything of it. The Grangerfords’ lives also contain an allusion to the play Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare.    

In the play, Romeo and Juliet, the two main characters come from rival families and get married in secret because they would never be given their parent’s blessings. This bears a striking resemblance to the scene in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in which Sophia Grangerford and Harney Shepherdson run off to get married. “‘Well, den, Miss Sophia’s run off! ‘deed she has. She run off in de night some time¾nobody don’t know jis’ when; run off to get married to dat young Harney Shepherdson’” (114). The families in both scenarios fight violently and most interactions end in death for one or both families. This is one allusion in the book that has remained timeless. The fact that Shakespeare’s plays have remained so well known adds to the timelessness of Twain’s novel. The Grangerfords give insight into the time period in which Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written. Huck gets to see both the ironic and dark sides of the Grangerfords’ lives. 

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The relationship between Jim and Huck throughout the novel is that of a father and son. They depend on one another to make their way north and it is evident that they also care about each other’s safety. “Come in, Huck, but doan’ look at his face- it’s too gashly.” (Twain 57). When Huck and Jim stumble across a dead body Jim looks out for Huck’s wellbeing as a father would. Jim cares about Huck’s wellbeing and does not want to see him get hurt. Jim teaches Huck many different superstitions, some of which are true. Jim told Huck that it was going to rain based off of what he saw the birds doing. Soon after, Huck said, “Pretty soon it darken up, and begun to thunder and lighten; so the birds was right about it,” (55). Jim’s knowledge of the wilderness earns him Huck’s respect and loyalty.

When Huck and Jim are discussing the story of King Solomon Huck says, “‘But I tell you you don’t get the point.’” Then Jim replies, “‘Blame de point! I reck’n I knows what I knows,’” (82). Although Jim is reluctant to change his mind Huck is still able to teach him things. Huck and Jim depend on each other in order to survive. Jim needs Huck to stay loyal to him and not turn him in to the authorities before he can reach his freedom. Huck needs Jim because Jim knows more about survival in the wilderness that Huck does. Though they are codependent Jim still acts as a father figure for Huck because Huck has never had a male role model that he could trust. Jim does need Huck in order to make his way to freedom, however it is also clear that he does not just care about Huck for purely selfish reasons. Huck and Jim have a paternalistic relationship in which the mutually support each other in order to make it through their journey to freedom.

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It is clear in the first few chapters of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain that Huck tries to come across as a rebel who does not take orders from anyone. However, after a while it is easy to see that Huck is all talk. I believe that Huck is independent, very superstitious, and although he is rough around the edges he actually has good intentions. While it might seem that Huck has no regards for the Widow Douglas and her attempts to straighten him out, it is apparent that Huck does not want to disappoint the widow. “… but the widow she didn’t scold, but only cleaned off the grease and clay, and looked so sorry that I thought I would behave a while if I could.”(Twain 8). This scene shows that Huck does have a guilty conscience and does not like to upset the widow by disobeying her. As I mentioned Huck is also very superstitious. When he knocks over a salt shaker and the widow will not let him toss some over his shoulder he spends the whole day worrying about it. He also worries about the return of his father.

Upon meeting Huck’s father I realized that Huck was not given any sort of chance at a normal life. Growing up, he did not have a mother and was forced to put up with constant abuse from is drunken father. “‘I’ll lay for you, my smarty; and if I catch you about that school I’ll tan you good’” (14). His father does not believe in any sort of education and ridicules Huck for having received one (however slight it may be). It is no surprise that Huck does not enjoy dressing nicely and acting civilized when his father beats him for it when he finds out. Huck’s lack of guidance forced him to be very independent and to have to be able to fend for himself at a very young age. Huck may seem impolite to most, but he was dealt a bad hand. Overall, despite being raised by an unreliable drunk Huck did turn out to be a decent person.