Molloy 1
Sarah Molloy
Mr. Stalker
History/Literature
01/11/2024
The Uselessness of Christianity?
In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, there are two opposing views towards religion,
both perhaps influenced by Twain’s own experience with religion. Throughout the story, the
reader is introduced to the “sivilized” folk (i.e. Miss Watson, and the Widow Douglass) who
practice Christianity, and the country hicks (i.e Jim, Tom, Huck), who are more superstitious.
Early in the book, Huck is introduced as a character who has some aversion to
Christianity, for one reason. His distaste is because it “takes too much stock in dead people,” and
not much in the living. Another potential reason for it is maybe because he thinks it’s another
attempt to “sivilize” him, which is the exact opposite of what he wants. He also adds that
apparently heaven will be filled with all the stuffy people like Miss Watson, which would be
incredibly boring. Hell, he exclaims, would be much more exciting, and besides, Tom Sawyer
would also be there. Huck also seems to recognize, in his way, the uselessness of Christianity;
after all, his prayers are never answered.
Many characters in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn who seem or claim to be
Christians, act in a manner that is most unchristian, some even trying to use religion to their
advantage. For example, the king and the duke in some of their schemes to gain affluence, use
Christianity as a support pillar. The king decided to cheat folks in the town of Pokeville to give
up their money to fund his expedition back to the Indian Ocean so he could convert the pirates
he’d encounter.
Sarah Molloy
Mr. Stalker
History/Literature
01/11/2024
The Uselessness of Christianity?
In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, there are two opposing views towards religion,
both perhaps influenced by Twain’s own experience with religion. Throughout the story, the
reader is introduced to the “sivilized” folk (i.e. Miss Watson, and the Widow Douglass) who
practice Christianity, and the country hicks (i.e Jim, Tom, Huck), who are more superstitious.
Early in the book, Huck is introduced as a character who has some aversion to
Christianity, for one reason. His distaste is because it “takes too much stock in dead people,” and
not much in the living. Another potential reason for it is maybe because he thinks it’s another
attempt to “sivilize” him, which is the exact opposite of what he wants. He also adds that
apparently heaven will be filled with all the stuffy people like Miss Watson, which would be
incredibly boring. Hell, he exclaims, would be much more exciting, and besides, Tom Sawyer
would also be there. Huck also seems to recognize, in his way, the uselessness of Christianity;
after all, his prayers are never answered.
Many characters in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn who seem or claim to be
Christians, act in a manner that is most unchristian, some even trying to use religion to their
advantage. For example, the king and the duke in some of their schemes to gain affluence, use
Christianity as a support pillar. The king decided to cheat folks in the town of Pokeville to give
up their money to fund his expedition back to the Indian Ocean so he could convert the pirates
he’d encounter.
