Mark Twain wrote the satirical comedy, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, to display the irony of societies beliefs. It is about a little boy who travels down the Mississippi River in the mid-1800s, running away from his problems, facing obstacles and learning about himself and the world around him. Twain’s ideas and beliefs differed from the majority of society during this time. The book uses irony to expose the absurdity of racism, the advantages and disadvantages of a formal education, and the numerous interpretations of religion. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain uses ridicule and irony, to satirize racism, education, and religion.
Racism is largely satirized in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because Twain found something …show more content…
Widow Douglas and Miss Watson begin to teach Huck about religion while he is living with them. Miss Watson tries to explain the concept of prayer to Huck; “She told me to pray everyday, and whatever I asked for, I would get” (Twain 12). Huck prays for fish bait and when he doesn’t receive it he gets frustrated. Miss Watson explains that praying to God brings spiritual gifts, not material gifts. Some people confuse the basis of religion and change it to fit their needs. Others can claim to be religious, but not exhibit it through life choices. The Grangerfords, a sophisticated family, goes to church every weekend. Huck comes along with them and mentions about the service; “It was pretty ornery preaching- all about brotherly love” (Twain 101). This is amusing because the Grangerfords and their rivals, the Shepherdsons, bring their guns to church every Sunday. There is a difference between claiming to be religious and pursuing a religious lifestyle. Many people don’t act the way they claim to be, therefore the irony of this story embodies society throughout time.
Twain ridicules and satirizes the irony of subjects such as racism, education, and religion in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain draws attention to the treatment of racism at this time. He shows people that a formal education is not the only essential part of learning. Twain calles out the many misinterpretations of religion. He continues
Racism is largely satirized in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because Twain found something …show more content…
Widow Douglas and Miss Watson begin to teach Huck about religion while he is living with them. Miss Watson tries to explain the concept of prayer to Huck; “She told me to pray everyday, and whatever I asked for, I would get” (Twain 12). Huck prays for fish bait and when he doesn’t receive it he gets frustrated. Miss Watson explains that praying to God brings spiritual gifts, not material gifts. Some people confuse the basis of religion and change it to fit their needs. Others can claim to be religious, but not exhibit it through life choices. The Grangerfords, a sophisticated family, goes to church every weekend. Huck comes along with them and mentions about the service; “It was pretty ornery preaching- all about brotherly love” (Twain 101). This is amusing because the Grangerfords and their rivals, the Shepherdsons, bring their guns to church every Sunday. There is a difference between claiming to be religious and pursuing a religious lifestyle. Many people don’t act the way they claim to be, therefore the irony of this story embodies society throughout time.
Twain ridicules and satirizes the irony of subjects such as racism, education, and religion in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain draws attention to the treatment of racism at this time. He shows people that a formal education is not the only essential part of learning. Twain calles out the many misinterpretations of religion. He continues