Huckleberry Finn Literary Analysis Essay

Huckleberry Finn Literary Analysis Essay

"'Ransomed? What's that?' '... it means that we keep them till they're dead'" (9; ch.2). This dialogue reflects Twain's 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.

Mark Twain applies humor in the various episodes throughout the book to keep the reader laughing and make the story interesting. The first humorous episode occurs when Huck Finn astonishes Jim with stories of kings. Jim had only heard of King Solomon, whom he considers a fool for wanting to chop a baby in half and adds, "'Yit dey say Sollermun de wises' man dat ever live'. I doan' take no stock in dat'" (74; ch.13). Next, the author introduces the Grangerfords as Huck goes ashore and unexpectedly encounters this family. Huck learns about a feud occurring between the two biggest families in town: the Grangerfords and the Sheperdsons. When Huck asks Buck about the feud, Buck replies, "'... a feud is this way: A man has a quarrel with another man, and kills him; then that other man's brother kills him; then the other brothers, on both sides, goes for one another; then the cousins chip in - and by and by everybody's killed off, and there ain't no more feud'" (103; ch.17). A duel breaks out one day between the families and Huck leaves town, heading for the river where he rejoins Jim, and they continue down the Mississippi. Another humorous episode appears n the novel on the Phelps plantation. Huck learns that the king has sold Jim to the Phelps family, relatives of Tom Sawyer. The Phelps family mistakes Huck for Tom Sawyer. When Tom meets with Aunt Sally, he "... reaches over and kisses Aunt Sally on the mouth" (216; ch.31) This comes as a surprises to her and Tom explains that he "thinks she likes it" (216; ch.31) Later, Huck runs into Tom on the way into town and the two make up another story about their identities. The two then devise a plan to rescue Jim. They use Jim as a prisoner and make him go through jail escaping clichés. While going through these rituals he replies "'I never knowed b' fo' 'twas so much bother and trouble to be a prisoner'" (252; ch.36). In the end, though, Tom reveals that Jim owns himself. Twain uses humor as a way to add realism to multiple situations.

Mark Twain employs several examples of realism in the way he wrote The Adventures