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 together, Huck realizes that the slaves aren’t as bad as everyone makes them out to be. One of the literary devices Twain uses to help develop his comment on racism is Irony. He uses irony to show the actions of blacks and the thoughts people had about them. In the novel when Huck and Jim are arguing about the different languages around the world, Huck thinks to himself, “I see it warn’t no use wasting words-you can’t learn a nigger to argue.
So I quit. “(60). Irony is shown through this quote because since Jim is black Huck feels that there is no more need to argue, and that Jim is automatically wrong. He also feels that even if he tried to teach Jim about the speaking of others around the world, Jim wouldn’t understand because blacks can’t learn the same as the whites can. Another example of irony is when Tom gets shot in the calf and Jim and Huck need to help him and go get a doctor. Jim explains that he is going to do what Tom would do if he were in his spot.
Huck then thinks, “I knowed he was white inside, and I eckoned he would say what he did say-so it was alright now, and I told Tom I was agoing for a doctor. “(207). It is ironic that Huck says that Jim is “White inside”, just because he does something good, and if you do something good, there isn’t a way that could just be Jim and he is “black” on the inside. Huck believes that only whites could be thoughtful like that. Irony helps to develop the comment that blacks are considered less than white in the society, however Huck begins to believe differently, and is starting to realize that blacks may be the exact same as whites on the inside.
Using Irony Twain shows how blacks are just as smart as whites, but that aspect is ignored due to their skin color. Huck is just now beginning to see past the discrepancy in the color of their skin, and acknowledge their equality. Along with irony, Mark Twain also uses the device of satire to help critique the society and create a comment about racism. 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 een, 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 matter. Twain really uses the device of conflict to critique the society and make comments on racism. Lots of the conflict in the novel is triggered due to the fact that Jim a runaway slave. Also, throughout every conflict, racism is shown.
When Huck helps Jim to escape, he thinks to himself, “… And if I was to ever see anybody from that town again l’d be ready to get down and lick his boots for shame. ” The conflict quoted there is when Huck helped Jim to escape slavery. Huck is thinking that even though he is doing the right thing, if anyone in the town was to find out, Huck would be very shamed for helping a slave. In fact, Huck would be so shamed that he couldn’t even return to the town without “licking boots for shame”. Huck still decides to risk being shamed, and help Jim escape because deep down, Huck is aware that it is unfair to Jim to stay enslaved.
Another conflict that arises is when Jim runs away and is separated from his family. “.. Saying he would steal his children-children that belonged to a man I didn’t even know-a man that hadn’t ever done me no harm. ” Because Jim doesn’t have his family anymore, he is considering that once he is a free man, he will go back and steal them so they can all be reunited again. This is a major conflict that he wouldn’t have to ever worry about if he were white. This entire conflict is due to the fact that Jim is black and not treated as equal to the white man. Also if he does act out on this, even a bigger conflict can be created.
Racism and conflict have a strong connection throughout the novel. Almost all of the conflict that happens is due to racism, and if racism didn’t exist then many of the issues in the novel would not exist. Without racism Huck and Jim wouldn’t have to face as many issues altogether. Conflict played a big role in helping to develop Mark Twain’s comment on Racism. Using all of these literary devices, plus many more, Mark Twain is critiquing society on the overall fact that once you get to know black people, they are just as good or bad as whites. 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 it.
