Citation

Narasaki T. Tokai Daigaku Bungakubu 2006; 84: 190-178.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Tōkai Daigaku)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

Pap Finn seems a monster in the light of his appearance and language. His view of the American government and African Americans, however, has much in common with that of the "respectable" people in the antebellum South. It is not the status of poor whites but the ideology of racial hierarchy most of the Southern whites had, that is responsible for Pap's ignorance and overt prejudice. The highly mobile life-style of Pap shows that he could be categorized not only into poor whites but also into the wandering poor. The latter consisted of races so diverse that a racial classification was in itself meaningless. In spite of his ridiculously arrogant belief in his race, Pap himself falls into the category to which even his son does not belong. Huck senses the fact and describes the whiteness of Pap as sick. From the present point of view, Pap may be an abusive father, but actually he is careful not to inflict severe injuries on Huck while punishing him. There is always a certain limit to his domestic violence, except when he is in a drunken stupor. Also, while wandering around St. Petersburg, he seems a horrible outlaw to the local inhabitants. In fact he does not harm them physically, let alone kill any of them, because he knows he is helpless against revenge. Pap should be described as a coward rather than a monster when examined in view of his character.