Discuss The Use Of Satire In Huckleberry Finn

Audric Naumann 1/16/2024 Lesson #17 The Definition of Normal.

“Normal” was a strange word back in the mid-1800s. Mark Twain, a realist writer during this period, helps express the ridiculousness of a normal society in his novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain teases the nonsense of normal civilization. He ridicules human nature and humans' tendency to justify sin. Mark Twain also shows his dislike for the flowery way of writing that is Romantic Literature. Mark Twain uses satire effectively to show the readers the absurdity of “normal” society. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain teases the ideas of modern “sivilization”. He shows his readers the flaws in society, such as racism and slavery. For instance:

There was a free n— there from Ohio. He had the whitest shirt you ever see, too, and the shiniest hat; and there ain’t a man in that town that’s got as fine clothes as what he had;. They said he could vote when he was at home. . [W]hen they told me there was a State in this country where they’d let that n— vote, I drew out. I say I’ll never vote again. (28-29)

This was the racism that Twain pointed out was nonsense. This was the environment that Huck lived in, and it influenced him heavily. Under the Influence that helping slaves is bad, after writing a letter revealing Jim's location, he exclaims: “All right then, I'll go to hell"- and tore [the letter] up. (217)” Huck was under the influence that being good would bring him eternal punishment. Twain hopes to point out the lack of sense in “sivilization”. Mark Twain makes fun of Human Nature, and our tendency to justify sin. Huck is an example of this when he struggles with