In the novel Huckleberry Finn by Mark
Twain, chapter 17, we find Huck in the Grangerford's house. This house is very
interesting because it is similar to a house of mirrors: Nothing is what it appears to
be. First, the family is overly tacky, uber sentimental, and just stuffy. However, Huck
does not know the difference between good and bad taste, so he deeply admires every
single aspect about the Grangerfords, from the decorations of the house, to Mr.
Grangerford himself. He even likes the art done by their deceased daughter, Emmeline. It
is odd to imagine how Huck admires Emmeline's tacky and creepy art when, to top it off,
there is a flower arrangement indicating her death hanging from one of the paintings. It
is very creepy, indeed!
This being said, we can conclude
the following (to answer your question
directly):
Huckleberry's comments are just comments he
makes to himself, so they are neither unwanted nor unwarranted- he is making an opinion.
Answer 1 is not correct.
Although his taste does show
immaturity, it would be more immature to criticize a GOOD painting as if it weren't
good. However, we know that Emmeline's paintings ARE hideous. He was merely pointing
exactly how it looks in his eyes. Therefore, answers 3 and 4 are not correct because,
first, Huckleberry is more honest than anything else in his observations. Secondly,
since the picture is already tasteless, it would not be fair to say that Huck's opinion
show a lack of taste. He does not even say anything mean about
them.
What seems to be the correct answer is option 2:
Huckleberry was intrigued and infatuated with the Grangerford's lifestyle. This being
said, he would find something positive in everything he sees. He even says that it felt
like
nothing couldn’t be
better
at the Grangerford home. Hence, what Huck actually
does is to soften his opinion by offering concessions. He concedes everything a chance
to be beautiful because he feels attached to the Grangerford. He makes concessions out
of his appreciation for them.
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