Huckleberry Finn Satirical Analysis

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, provides a satirical social commentary that transcends time by showing the importance of questioning societal norms and institutions. Throughout the book, Huck struggles with several societal institutions, such as religion, education, and slavery. Hucks’ actions and decision in the book in regards to these institutions provide an insight into Twain’s criticisms of American culture and society. From the beginning of the book, Huck questions the validity of religion, and of praying in particular. Miss Watson tells Huck to pray for what he wants, and if he does, he will get it. Despite many attempts, Huck never gets what he prayed for, and determines that there is nothing to be gained from praying. Miss Watson, like the majority of Americans at the time, blindly followed religion and praying, without question. Huck is void of this slavish devotion to religion and instead tests it for himself. Twain’s criticisms of religion remain relevant today, as religion is still an

Huck is forced to become civilized and educated by the widow and Miss Watson. While initially not minding it, Huck begins to question whether he needs the skills of education for his life, as he would rather skip and spend time in the woods – something he often did. However, when Hucks’ abusive father Pap returns, and tells Huck to stop learning how to read and write, Huck beings to attend school more often, just to spite his father. Twain’s assessment of the value of education within society provides a clear and blunt idea – that society’s’ upper-class encourages education while society’s lower class discourages education. This comment and distinction not only transcends time but also is visible in present day America. In America today, a higher percentage of upper class children graduate high school and attend college than lower class