Examples Of Satire In Huckleberry Finn

278 Words2 Pages
In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain uses satire to teach an overall theme. One particular theme Twain emphasizes in this fashion is the treatment of slaves. During the Duke and the King’s funeral scam, Johanna questions Huck about slave treatment in England. Johanna asks: ”’...How is servants treated in England? Do they treat ‘em better than we treat our n___?’” (176). Huck scrambles for a viable answer, so he lies and says: “‘No! A servant ain’t nobody there. They treat ‘em, worse than dogs.’’’ (176). Huck’s lie has a comedic element; African Americans who are slaves in America are free in England during this time, yet people refer to America as “the land of the free”. While Huck tries to prove he is English, Johanna doubts the lie