The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn · Chapter
Chapter XXII explained
Huck witnesses Colonel Sherburn confront and disperse a lynch mob with a scathing speech about cowardice, then attends a circus where a drunk man turns out to be a performer, and later the Duke posts handbills for a new show called 'The Roy
What happens
Huck witnesses Colonel Sherburn confront and disperse a lynch mob with a scathing speech about cowardice, then attends a circus where a drunk man turns out to be a performer, and later the Duke posts handbills for a new show called 'The Royal Nonesuch.'
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy of Society
Sherburn exposes the mob's cowardice and hypocrisy, contrasting their bravado with their fear of acting alone or in the dark.
Freedom vs. Civilization
Huck's enjoyment of the circus and his wariness of spending money reflect his independent, free-spirited nature versus societal expectations.
Characters to notice
- Huckleberry Finn
Narrates the events, observes Sherburn's speech, attends the circus, and reports the Duke's handbills.
- Colonel Sherburn
Confronts the lynch mob from his porch, delivers a speech denouncing their cowardice, and disperses them.
- The Duke
After the poor show attendance, creates handbills for 'The Royal Nonesuch' with the line 'Ladies and children not admitted.'
- Buck Grangerford
Mentioned as 'Buck Harkness' in the mob, singled out by Sherburn as the 'half-a-man' who led the crowd.
Key passages
“The idea of you lynching anybody! It's amusing. The idea of you thinking you had pluck enough to lynch a man ! Because you're brave enough to tar and feather poor friendless cast-out women that come along here, did that make you think you had grit enough to lay your hands on a man ?”
Sherburn mocks the mob, saying they only have courage to attack helpless women, not a real man.
Highlights the theme of hypocrisy and the cowardice of the mob.
“The pitifulest thing out is a mob; that's what an army is—a mob; they don't fight with courage that's born in them, but with courage that's borrowed from their mass, and from their officers.”
Sherburn argues that mobs and armies lack individual courage, relying instead on the strength of numbers.
Reflects Sherburn's critique of collective action and cowardice.
“It was a real bully circus. It was the splendidest sight that ever was when they all come riding in, two and two, a gentleman and lady, side by side, the men just in their drawers and undershirts, and no shoes nor stirrups, and resting their hands on their thighs easy and comfortable—there must a been twenty of them—and every lady with a lovely complexion, and perfectly beautiful, and looking just like a gang of real sure-enough queens, and dressed in clothes that cost millions of dollars, and just littered with diamonds.”
Huck describes the circus performers as magnificent, with elegant riders and beautiful women adorned in diamonds.
Shows Huck's awe and appreciation for the spectacle of the circus.