Explanation:
One thread that runs throughout the novel is a critique of moral hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is pretending to virtues and then not adhering to them in reality. It is often called talking the talk and not walking the walk. The worst characters in the novel pretend to moral virtue for their own gain.
For example, the cold-hearted con artists the Duke and the King cheat people out of their money. The King does this by pretending to be collecting for a mission for former pirates, amassing $80—a large sum in that time period to bilk out of poor, hardworking people. The twosome will do anything to get money, pretending to be heirs to Wilks family to swindle an inheritance from the rightful heirs. The King also betrays Jim for $40. Twain, through these men, condemns a society that teaches people to put monetary gain ahead of compassion, honesty, and empathy towards other people.
The Grangersons lead gracious lives with fine furniture, artwork, and china, but they keep slaves. They also are involved...
