Twain also shows us that society’s views of black people as being incapable of human emotion were wrong. Throughout the novel he develops Jim’s emotions. The irony in society’s expectation of Huck to feel bad for simply being human, and feeling pity for Jim, shows us the inhumanity of society itself. Huck realizes however, that if he did follow society’s expectations and give Jim up to the slavers he would “…feel bad – [he’d] feel just the same way [he does] now” (149). This leads him to disregard the expectations placed on him by society and just “…bother no more about it” (149).
In the 1800s, religion was a large part of society. However, society was on many occasions extremely hypocritical in their views on religion. The slave owners would “fetch the niggers in and have prayers” (51), forcing them to become Christians whilst ignoring their own Christian maxim, ‘God created all men equal’ by treating their slaves as lesser beings.
Twain also shows us the futility of society’s fanatic attempt to convert everyone to Christianity. This is brought to our attention comically with Jim’s view of King Solomon. Jim has been taught “…bout dat chile dat he `uz gwyne to chop in two” (133). Yet the significance of King Solomon’s test in order to determine who was the mother of the child was lost on his uneducated mind. Similarly when Miss Watson tells Huck about hell he said “I wished I was there” (50), Huck was never taught to grasp the concept of heaven or hell, it was only described to him, leading him to believe that hell would be a far more exciting place to live than Heaven. Society’s view of prayer is harshly criticised as well. Huck was taught that if he prayed every day “…whatever [he] asked for [he] would get” (60). We laugh when Huck tried this and “got a fish-line but no hooks” (60). Although this is comical, a much more serious issue is addressed. Christian society in its overwhelming zealousness to convert everyone was decidedly un-Christian by spouting lies and half-truths in order to attract people to the faith.
Twain also passes judgment on society’s structure and laws at that time. The new Judge of St. Petersburg decides to follow social laws, and forces Huck to stay with his drunken father, instead of allowing him to be brought up in a proper home by Miss Watson. The judge decides to reform Huck’s father by inviting him over for a day and cleaning, feeding and talking to him. Huck’s father takes complete advantage of the situation, and promises to reform. Yet, that very night, he “got powerful thirsty and clumb out onto the porch-roof and slid down a stanchion and traded his new coat for a jug of forty rod”(73). This situation humiliates the law of that time, and shows the reader how ineffectual and gullible it actually was.
Today we see the humour in Twain’s satirical portrayal of Nineteenth Century society but at that time even this subtle mockery of their culture angered a number of people greatly. Critics today feel that he was not outspoken enough against the atrocities of that time, but if he had been more outspoken, society might have completely rejected his novel. Therefore satire was the perfect medium for Twain to present his views to the world without upsetting the masses. Thanks to this, we can today read about the wrongs of society at that time and endeavour never to repeat them.
Works cited:
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. London, Penguin books, 1884