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SUMMARY
Huck introduces Col. Grangerford as a well-bred thorough gentleman. He exuded a confidence that made people in awe of him and take him seriously. Huck goes on to familiarize us with the other members of the family. Tom, Bob and Buck are the three sons. Charlotte is the elder daughter, who has an authoritarian demeanor like her father. The younger daughter, Sophia, is quite coy. He tells us that there were three more Sons who got killed and a daughter, who died. It is a prosperous family with one slave exclusively for each member of the family. They have colossal farmlands.
Huck then goes on to tell us about another equally wealthy family, that of the Shepherdsons, who live in the neighborhood. One day, when Huck and Buck are away hunting in the woods, they hear the sound of a horse. The latter tells Huck to dart to the woods. Following a short round of firing between Buck and Harney Shepherdson, Huck sprints home with his friend who recounts the entire incident to his family. Huck notices that Sophia Grangerford goes pale at the mention of the incident, but is soon relieved when she learns that the other person wasn't hurt. Huck doesn't think any more about Sophia's reaction. We learn, later in the story, that Sophia was in love with Harney Shepherdson and was, therefore, anxious about the latter's well-being.
When the two friends are alone, Huck, out of curiosity, asks Buck the reason behind the hostility between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons. He finds it surprising to learn that none of the family members know the root cause of the feud. All that they can tell is that it started about thirty years ago and has resulted in the death of a fairly large number of people, on both sides. Huck reveals his ignorance about what a feud" is. Buck is surprised 'and goes on to explain.
The following Sunday they all go to church. The Shepherdsons are also there. Each one carries a gun with him. The preaching is all about brotherly love and selflessness. Huck finds all this talk extremely tiring while everybody else appreciates it endlessly. He is surprised how the two families can talk about something they don't implement in real life.
On returning home, Sophia takes Huck aside and requests him to get her Testament that she has, accidentally, left behind in the church. While bringing it back, Huck finds a note with "half past two" written on it. He finds it intriguing but doesn't think about it any more.
When Huck goes outside, his slave follows him and says that he wants to show him some water moccasins. In the swamp outside, he finds Jim lying there, deep in sleep. The latter is overjoyed on seeing Huck.
The next day, it is discovered that Sophia has eloped with Harney Shepherdson. Remembering the incident of the Bible, Huck deduces what the note may have implied. This drives both the families to fight a bloody battle in which many people, including Col. Grangerford and both his sons, are killed. Huck laments over the death of his good friend, Buck and then runs back to the swamp and finds Jim. Jim is elated on seeing him alive. 'They decide to sail downriver in the raft that jim has repaired.
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| The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Chapter 18 |
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Grangerford-Shepherdson episode exposes the cruelty behind the semblance of aristocracy and gentility of the two feuding families. They harbor such malevolence against each other that precious lives are lost for some obscure reason that they themselves are not clear about. Exalted notions of family honor are ridiculous especially when the rationale is unknown. It is intriguing to note how, even the so-called "educated" lot, can be so foolish. Isn't it true that the "uncivilized" and ornery" beings are more sensible and have a better sense of judgment than the former?
The phony aristocracy, which Buck has been brought up amidst, questions Huck's upbringing and environment just because he has never heard of a "feud". "Why, where was you raised? Don't you know what a feud is?" Despite having no idea about why, in the first place, the "feud began, Buck can go on endlessly about its 'definition'.
Huck's life, though full of troubles, has not brought his face to face with worse truths such as those of feuds, bloodshed and murder. His cocooned life, in the small town of St. Petersburg, has kept his away from those realities.
Twain's portrayal of the two families betrays his aversion towards the shallowness of these so-called devout Christians. They carry guns to church and go through all the "pretty ornery preaching" that is all about "brotherly love". They can go on talking endlessly about faith and good works and free grace and preforeordestination". But the underlying fact is that, in actuality, not an iota of this "brotherly love" or "tolerance" is practiced.
The river seems to be the only place in the entire world where Huck and Jim can find some peace. "There warn't no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don't". Nowhere else is it so serene whether in the company of Pap or the house of Miss Watson or at the Grangerfords'. The moment they step on land, they are in danger. Jim is in danger of being caught while Huck has to cook up stories, convince people and get his way through. Besides the danger, as we shall witness in the next chapter, there is the corrupting influence of royalty the "King" and the "Duke" and their attempts to swindle innocent and unwary people.