In this excerpt, Twain addresses a difficult and distressing subject. Huckleberry Finn's father does not want him to attend school. He believes that education is pointless, and he does not like the idea of having a son who is more educated than he is. However, even though the topic is not humorous in itself, Twain uses humour to depict the father's personality. This is done in order to emphasize the fact that it is the father's ignorance which limits him and makes him have such thoughts.