Final answer:
The story comments on societal discrepancies by exploring how characters respond to real-life situations, the motivation influenced by historical context and class disparity, the use of disguises by characters to navigate social expectations, and moral dilemmas that question the flexibility of moral standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The story comments on the discrepancies between society's ideas of class, privilege, and responsibility, and human nature's darker aspects through multiple lenses. One such lens is the reflection on the characters' real-life situations and their responses to challenging circumstances. For instance, characters might find themselves in a predicament due to societal pressures or class constraints, which raises questions about whether certain outcomes could have been avoided or handled differently had the societal context been altered.
The historical context, as explored through New Historicism Criticism, exposes the motivations of characters from different social standing. The tension between the aspirations and conditions of the lower and upper classes is often a driving force in literature, highlighting how characters navigate the complexities of their respective social strata and the power dynamics at play.
Additionally, the concept of characters wearing 'masks' or presenting false identities can be an indication of the dissonance between society's expectations and an individual's true nature, leading to a discussion on the prevalence and reasons behind such disguises in both the story's context and in real life.
Moral and ethical dillemas, such as those presented in Huckleberry Finn or Dickens' novels, examine the flexibility of moral standards and the justification of actions in the name of a greater good, thereby relating to the legal and political systems and their evolution. The struggle to balance societal laws with personal ethics is a discussion point that often reveals discrepancies in human character and societal norms.
The idea of the hero, particularly in relation to acts of heroism demanded by characters like Charity Lomax, amplifies the expectation of individuals to transcend their predicaments and perform actions based on societal expectations of valor.
In conclusion, the story examines the intersection of social constructs and human behavior, often revealing that beneath the surface of civilized society lies a complex and sometimes dark human nature.