"Next Sunday we all went to church, about three mile, everybody a-horseback. The men took their guns along, so did Buck, and kept them between their knees or stood them handy against the wall. The Shepherdsons done the same. It was pretty ornery preaching--all about brotherly love, and such-like tiresomeness; but everybody said it was a good sermon, and they all talked it over going home, and had such a powerful lot to say about faith, and good works, and free grace..." (176).
The irony is unmistakable, particularly in this passage. These two rival families, who have long forgotten what exactly it was that made them enemies in the first place, just so happen to attend the same church. And if you know anything about Christianity, it is all about loving your neighbor, being kind to others, submitting to one another, and living in peace with one another. The Shepherdsons and Grangerfords are anything but an accurate portrayal of the Christian walk of faith. "Good works" and "free grace" are completely absent between the two families.
Huck can see right through this act of Christianity. The fact that the families bring guns...to church...shows the cynicism that Twain has toward the Church, which he speaks about through Huck. Huck finds the church sermon tiresome; the families will go home to continue owning slaves and killing one another. Since the Christianity Huck has been shown is a self-serving, hate-filled, failed wish-granting type of faith that provides no solace to Huck , it's no wonder he rolls his eyes at God.
Huck can see right through this act of Christianity. The fact that the families bring guns...to church...shows the cynicism that Twain has toward the Church, which he speaks about through Huck. Huck finds the church sermon tiresome; the families will go home to continue owning slaves and killing one another. Since the Christianity Huck has been shown is a self-serving, hate-filled, failed wish-granting type of faith that provides no solace to Huck , it's no wonder he rolls his eyes at God.
Your last sentence really clarifies why Huck see's Christianity as such a sham. I have encountered many people who have meet Christians in like ways, and sadly, they were unable to see past the hypocrisy of the members.
ReplyDeleteI think you pretty much hit the nail with the hammer on this one. I agree that it is too bad that people who declare themselves to live in Christ do not have a life that reflects it. Twain is totally sharing his view with us about the hypocrisy of some Christian-believers. Also I think that Huck's views on what a good, Christian person would do with Jim (to not steal from Miss Watson and return her "property"), also are revealing to that societies beliefs. In that society, slavery was acceptable and Christians were fine to have slaves and treat them how they did.
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