Grangerfords

[Kimberly]

You say that the Grangerford house is "lovely." The Grangerfords are part of the "nouveau riche" class that comes into new money and tries too hard to show their money. They believe that money gives them class. However, their home is quite classless. Although Huck is impressed and almost flabbergasted with their possessions, it is ironic because the reader knows otherwise. The are fake bricks on their fireplace. There is fake fruit in the fruit bowl. The mantle of the fireplace is crowded with animals and there is an over-abundance of crockery, which is imitation china. Their home is not lovely. Their home is ridiculously fake. They try way too hard.

[Tom]

The hypocrisy of the Grangerfords and Shephardsons is made very clear. Not only did they not know how the feud started, they took the lives of innocent people and used them for sport. What is the opposite of love? Hate? No, it's indifference. It takes great effort to hate. With education each of these families would have learned that hating those who hate you perpetuates ignorance.

[Laura]

I agree that the Grangerfords aren't all bad, but keep in mind they are complete and utter hypocrites. They go to church and listen to and agree with a sermon about "love thy neighbor" and they're still trying to kill the Shepherdsons! Albeit they take in Huck and give him a place to stay and treat him kindly, they are still caught up in a pointless feud and killing others for idiotic reasons. I believe that is the point Twain is trying to make. The Grangerford house is so lovely and they are all so well-bred etc etc, but they're caught up in something that feeds on anger and hatred and they don't mind a bit. They don't even care to change.