The use of Satire in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
In his novel the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published in 1884,
Mark Twain uses satire frequently as a medium to display his feelings
on a range of issues related to society at that time. Throughout the
book he ridicules many aspects of society, including the prevalent
views on slaves and religion, and their social structure. Even though
the novel was set fifty years before it was published, the themes
still held true for contemporary society. This led to the novel being
criticised widely as a result of it condemning the very society it was
presented to. Today however readers can see the message behind Mark
Twain’s satire much more clearly, as it does not mock us personally
but rather a society that we have evolved from and tend to deride
ourselves.
Mark Twain was deeply opposed to slavery, yet he does not openly
display his views in the novel. Instead he uses the subtlety of satire
to bring his message across. In a time where the life of a slave was
considered worthless, Twain used Jim to show us otherwise. Society
considered slaves as possessions with no value other than that of
money. However, as soon as Jim is free, he is rich. “I owns myself, en
I’s worth eight hund’d dollars.” (100). This shows us that even though
society considered the lives of slaves worthless, the monetary value
that they put on slaves, gave not only their lives value, but also
their freedom. Freedom brought more value to Jim’s life, monetary or
otherwise than he had ever possessed as a slave.
Twain also shows us that society’s views of black people as being
incapable of human emotion were wrong. Throughout the novel he
develops Jim’s emotions. The irony in society...
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...slid down a stanchion and traded his new coat for a jug of forty
rod”(73). This situation humiliates the law of that time, and shows
the reader how ineffectual and gullible it actually was.
Today we see the humour in Twain’s satirical portrayal of Nineteenth
Century society but at that time even this subtle mockery of their
culture angered a number of people greatly. Critics today feel that he
was not outspoken enough against the atrocities of that time, but if
he had been more outspoken, society might have completely rejected his
novel. Therefore satire was the perfect medium for Twain to present
his views to the world without upsetting the masses. Thanks to this,
we can today read about the wrongs of society at that time and
endeavour never to repeat them.
Works cited:
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. London, Penguin
books, 1884
He learned to read and found out he wasn’t supposed to be living the life he’s living. Around 1835, Douglass wanted to become free. He asked his master to work and months later, he ran away. When he ran, he made a difference in the lives of slaves. Frederick encouraged slaves to read and write.
He stood up to abolish slavery by telling the president and others the story of how America earned her freedom. He mentions how the Americans were, “ treated with sovereign indifference, coldness and scorn. Yet they persevered. They were not the men to look back”(Douglass). The Americans wanted change just like the African Americans wanted fairness as well. Without this rebellion, the slaves could not get to be emancipated and stop being treated like animals. Civil societies for the white man versus the black man were opposites, which was surprising since the religious values of the common white man was Christianity. They did not follow the law of the Lord; do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Being a slave meant doing whatever, whenever the master said so or else “whipping the devil out of them” (Cartwright) was put into effect. From a proponent’s perspective, if the slave owner “treated [them] kindly, well fed and clothed, with little fuel”(Cartwright) then they were good slave owners and they would not try to run away. Overall, this notion developed into now what we call being racial prejudice.
Over the 129 years for which the book has been in print, Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been regarded with much controversy, for many different reasons. As it has progressed, the subject of this controversy has been almost constantly changing. This essay will explore some of the claims and explanations of the controversy, as well as a discussion on whether the book is even that controversial. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion about this novel, The main complaints seem to revolve around three core topics: Twain’s portrayal of Jim and other blacks, The extensive use of the racial slurs and racism, and the final chapters of the book itself.
When one is young they must learn from their parents how to behave. A child's parents impose society's unspoken rules in hope that one day their child will inuitivly decerne wrong from right and make decisions based on their own judgment. These moral and ethical decisions will affect one for their entire life. In Mark Twains, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck is faced with the decision of choosing to regard all he has been taught to save a friend, or listen and obey the morals that he has been raised with. In making his decision he is able to look at the situation maturely and grow to understand the moral imbalances society has. Hucks' decisions show his integrity and strength as a person to choose what his heart tells him to do, over his head.
a skill that would provide him with his passport to freedom. The narrative itself acts as a form of protest literature against slavery and also persuades the reader that Douglass has been transformed and is no longer a slave, but a free man.
...understanding of freedom. By exposing the wrongs done to slaves, Douglass greatly contributed to the abolitionist movement. He also took back some of the power and control from the slaveholders, putting it in the hands of the enslaved.
In the novel Huck Finn, the author repeatedly uses satire to ridicule the insanity of racial ignorance and inequity of the time period. With his masterful use of role reversal, irony, and the obvious portrayal of double standards, Twain exemplifies the injustices of different races contrasting them with example after example of counter-argument shown through the friendship and adventures of Jim and Huck together.
...e torture and pain of slavery, he had an excellent reason to fight for the abolitionist movement. He became successful in his fight against slavery. His works documented the rise of a slave to a free man, to a respected speaker, to a famous writer and politician.
Literacy plays an important part in helping Douglass achieve his freedom. Learning to read and write enlightened his mind to the injustice of slavery; it kindled in his heart longings for liberty. Douglass’s skills proved instrumental in his attempts of escape and afterwards in his mission as a spokesman against slavery.
Ransomed? Whats that???.. it means that we keep them till they're dead (10). This dialogue reflects Twains witty personality. Mark Twain, a great American novelist, exploits his humor, realism, and satire in his unique writing style in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain, born in 1835, wrote numerous books throughout his lifetime. Many of his books include humor; they also contain deep cynicism and satire on society. Mark Twain, the author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, exemplifies his aspects of writing humor, realism, and satire throughout the characters and situations in his great American novel.
Instead of convincing American citizens from around the country that slavery was America’s largest injustice, he now was persuading people in the government and people who were originally anti-slavery, that black men should have equal citizenship and the right to vote. His change in audience is another reason that the abolitionist voice changed beginning in the mid 1860’s. The harsh and passionate rhetoric he was using to condemn slavery may not have been so effective or persuasive to politicians. Therefore, it was in his best interest to change the approach he originally was making.
No matter in the past or present, the world never lacks actors and their nauseating affectations can be seen everywhere in life. They are pretending to have all those perfect beliefs and feelings and acting like the greatest people ever while they are really not. Satire is used by Mark Twain in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to depict how all kinds of people say one thing and do another in America in early 1800s, demonstrating that Mark Twain wants readers to be aware of the hypocrisy and ignorance of American society.
"Good satire comes from anger. It comes from a sense of injustice, that there are wrongs in the world that need to be fixed. And what better place to get that well of venom and outrage boiling than a newsroom, because you 're on the front lines" (Hiaasen). The use of satires in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn initiated Huck Finn 's outlook on aspects of society. He may not have created a direct impact on certain situations, but he did question and mock many actions. He had a niche for mocking morals and decisions an individual can make, as well as fabrications and lies within religion. Characters initiated situations that revolved around these themes that frustrated Huck. Mark Twain incorporated all the aspects of good verses evil, deception,
In conclusion, Frederick used these key points in his narrative to attack the institution of slavery. The speeches he made using these points to white abolitionist astonished them because they did not imagine a slave had the mind capacity to speak this well. By doing so, Frederick Douglass became the outspoken leader for slaves in the abolitionist movement.
The confines of ignorance and both physical and mental abuse kept slaves from self discovery and rebellion. Frederick Douglass provides the journey of life as a brute to a free man. Frederick Douglass’s new identity included having a wife, a job of his own, a house, and the goal to reach out and help the people that were still stuck in slavery. From the rock bottom life of a slave he built himself up and became a successful