the Grangerfords

In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck comes across a family called the Grangerfords. This family has elements of humor, sadness, and allusions to the play Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare. It is like Romeo and Juliet because of the tale of the two young people in love, Sophia Grangerford and Harney Sheparsdson. They are likened to Romeo and Juliet because they are caught in the middle of the two warring families, their argument originating from an ordeal no one can quite remember. “[Sophia] ran off to get married to dat  young Harney Sheperdson…. De fambly found’ it out ‘bout half an hour ago… and I tell you dey warn’t no time los’. Sich another hurryin’ up guns and hosses you never see” (Twain 114)! This illustrates the clear connection between the two storylines. Romeo and Juliet were battling against their families to be together, and so were Sophia and Harney. The following bloodbath that ensues is also similar to Romeo and Juliet, where Tybalt was killed in the crossfire. While all of these allusions are being made, though, traces of humor can be found.

The Grangerford family also had plenty of humor in it. A prime example of their humor was the irony with which they’re portrayed. While Huck sees them as these really nice, gentle people, they actually go around killing their neighbors. “Col. Grangerford was a gentleman, you see. He was a gentleman all over; and so was his family” (106).Clearly, they’re not nice people as they condone the killing of their neighbors, yet Huck only really sees them in a positive light. He doesn’t even really bat an eye when he finds out about the feud. The irony, while being a bit sadistic, is funny. Along with humor and allusions to Romeo and Juliet, plenty of sadness can also be found in the Gangerford household.

The Grangerfords certainly have had their share of sorrow. One of the daughters, Emmeline died at fifteen. She was a brilliant artist and poet, although named her paintings rather similarly. “These was all nice pictures…. Everybody was sorry she died, because she has laid out a lot more of these pictures to do…” (104). The family was never the same after Emmeline had died. Also, there was no one to write poems for those who had died.  Her family mourned for her all the time. The Grangerford family is a fine example of comedy, sorrow, and allusions.