Introduction
Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic work of American literature famous for its humor and social commentary. In this article, we will explore the different techniques Mark Twain uses to create humor in the novel. Our analysis will help readers identify humorous excerpts and understand how the humor adds to the novel’s overall themes.
Analyzing Irony and Satire for Humor
The most famous and humorous excerpt from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is found in Chapter XVIII. Huck and Jim are traveling downriver on a raft when they encounter two men who introduce themselves as the Dauphin, the missing heir to the French throne, and the Duke of Bridgewater. These two men are actually con artists who try to swindle the innocent townspeople out of their money.
The humor in this excerpt arises from Mark Twain’s use of irony and satire. Irony is when the opposite of what is expected happens, and satire is when the author ridicules society’s flaws or follies. In this case, Mark Twain uses irony to show how the two con artists are behaving in a manner that is the opposite of what we would expect from someone who is royal. Instead of being polite, knowledgeable, and cultured, the Dauphin and the Duke are uneducated, abusive, and ill-mannered.
Furthermore, Twain uses satire to criticize the society’s blind faith and gullibility. He shows how easily the townspeople are taken in by the con artists’ fake royal titles, despite the obvious signs of their low birth and corrupt manners.
Exploring Dialect and Language for Humor
Mark Twain also uses dialect and colorful language to create humor in the novel. In Chapter IV, Huck explains how his father, Pap, is always drunk and causes trouble in their small town. He then goes on to describe how his father came into possession of a pig:
“One day he catched a catfish and took him home to the little gal, and they fried him and had him for supper. Well, that night they had a big supper, and all them men and women was there, and I stood behind the table and waited on them. It was kind of splendid to see it touch them fatigued-up people.
That is, it was splendid for me; I don’t know how it was for them. Pap always said it warn’t no harm to borrow things, if you was meaning to pay them back some time; but the widow said it warn’t anything but a soft name for stealing, and no decent body would do it.”
In this excerpt, Mark Twain uses dialect to create humor by capturing the unique Southern dialects of the characters in the novel. Huck’s language is notably uneducated and crude, especially compared to the language of the adults he serves during the big supper. The contrast in dialect and language use highlights the humor in the situation and creates an amusing scene.
Analyzing Characters’ Behaviors for Humor
Mark Twain also uses characters’ actions and behaviors to create humor in the novel. In Chapter XVI, Huck is dressed as a girl to spy on the residents of a nearby town. He is trying to get information about the people who may be searching for him and Jim. Huck reveals his gender when confronted by one of the townsmen, and the man says:
“Well, who done it? We’ve heard considerable about these goings-on down in Hookerville, but we don’t know who ’twas that killed Huck Finn.”
In this excerpt, the man’s confusion between Huck Finn and Huck’s different female persona highlights the humor. The confusion is even more humorous because the man uses “whodunit,” a phrase normally associated with murder mystery novels. The scene shows how easily the townsperson is fooled, but also how ridiculous Huck’s disguise must seem to an outsider.
Comparing to Mark Twain’s Other Works
To compare the humor in The Adventures of Huck Finn to Mark Twain’s other works, let’s examine Tom Sawyer. In Tom Sawyer, there is a scene where the villainous Injun Joe has just died. The townspeople believe that his ghost is haunting the nearby house. Huck and Tom decide to sneak into the house to see if the ghost is real. During their investigation, Tom is bitten by a rat. Huck tries to inform Tom of his wound, but Tom, believing it was the ghost, does not listen to him.
The scene is humorous because Tom is so focused on the ghost that he ignores Huck’s pleas. The humor also shows how young and immature Tom and Huck are. Compared to Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer has a more tongue-in-cheek humor. The humor has a lighter air to it and is more playful than what we find in Huckleberry Finn.
Examining Cultural Context for Humor
The humor in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn can also be analyzed within its historical context. Mark Twain wrote the novel in the late 19th century, a period marked by significant social change and upheaval in the United States. Racism and injustice were prevalent, and the novel addressed these issues in a humorous manner that made them more accessible to readers.
For example, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn uses humor to criticize the Southern culture and its prejudices. The scene where Huck dresses as a girl and is mistaken for Huck Finn shows how malleable and shallow the townspeople’s beliefs really are. By using humor in this scene, Mark Twain is able to criticize the narrow-mindedness of Southern culture without being heavy-handed.
Impact of Humor on Themes and Messages
The humor in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is essential to understanding the novel’s themes and messages. Without the humor, the novel would be a depressing tale of racism and betrayal. The humor allows Mark Twain to address serious social issues in a way that is both accessible and thoughtful.
Furthermore, the humor allows the reader to connect with the characters in the novel on a more personal level. By creating humorous scenes, Mark Twain allows the reader to see the characters in a more human light. The humor makes the characters seem more real and believable, which enhances the reader’s understanding of the themes.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored the different techniques Mark Twain uses to create humor in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. We have seen how irony and satire, dialect and language, and characters’ behaviors are used to create humorous scenes. By analyzing these techniques, readers can better identify and appreciate the humor in the novel. Furthermore, the humor in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is essential to understanding the novel’s social commentary and overall themes. Humor allows Mark Twain to criticize society and its flaws while still engaging readers in an accessible way.