How Does Mark Twain Use Satire In Huck Finn

In the novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn the author Mark Twain critiques the 19th century society. He does this by making multiple comments about racism. To help develop Twian’s comment on racism he uses Irony, Satire, and Conflict. In the novel the idea is given that blacks are less superior than the white man. If a black was to have certain actions, such as being smart or kind, everyone is surprised because blacks are viewed almost as if they are animals. Twain also makes many remarks about how if a black does act like that, that they are acting white and not just being themselves. Society feels that racism is just a way of life in the 19th century, however Huck grows very close to a runaway slave named Jim, and throughout their journey
This helps to explore the fact that whites don’t see racism as a serious issue, and that it isn’t a big deal to them. For instance, when Huck is talking to Mary Jane he very nonchalantly says, “Why it’s better if you ain’t one of those leather faced people.”(143). This shows satire in the interest of Huck being undoubtedly racist, saying “leather face”, but he is saying it in a joking manner, and not making it out to be a big deal. Another good example of satire is when Huck faked his death and Jim was a runaway slave. The town then automatically figured that it must have been Jim, “But before night they changed around and judged it was done by a runaway nigger named Jim.” The town changed it around so that Hucks “murderer” was Jim. They just figured it would be Jim by the cause of him being a runaway slave. No one was there to consider who it could have actually been, or to consider that this is more of a serious issue that cannot just be blamed on a slave. Satire is used to really develop the idea that to white people slavery is just a way of life and nothing too serious. Many people were usually pretty easy going about racism, and very joking about it, when it should have been a more severe
The color of their skin and their actions have no connection. Throughout the novel, Huck begins to realize that blacks and whites are the same on the inside. Twain brings out the ugliness in the society through Huck. It is shown that Jim and the many other slaves should not be treated as property, but as equals. It is brought to attention that the society views racism as just a way of life and not a serious issue, although through a little boy, Twain shows that when you’re open-minded there is no diversity between black and white. Overall, Twain does not feel sorrowful towards the slaves, but almost challenges the society to resolve