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Huck Fin

Mark Twain uses satire in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to criticize organized religion. Through characters like Miss Watson, he shows that religion is presented without evidence or logical reasons to believe it. Miss Watson teaches Huck through strict discipline rather than compassion, making him reject the faith. Twain also mocks the hypocrisy of those who claim to help others yet own slaves. Overall, the novel highlights the lack of proof for religion and the negative way it is sometimes taught and practiced.

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184 views2 pages

Huck Fin

Mark Twain uses satire in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to criticize organized religion. Through characters like Miss Watson, he shows that religion is presented without evidence or logical reasons to believe it. Miss Watson teaches Huck through strict discipline rather than compassion, making him reject the faith. Twain also mocks the hypocrisy of those who claim to help others yet own slaves. Overall, the novel highlights the lack of proof for religion and the negative way it is sometimes taught and practiced.

Uploaded by

sewilliams13
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Very Well Justified Satire Senneca Harris-Williams

In Mark Twains novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twains satirical stance on organized religion is presented. Twains underlying concepts that there is a lack of evidence proving the validity of organized religion, his exposure of bad presentation/teaching of organized religion, and references to societal hypocrisy pertaining to organized religion and its adherents behavior show his disagreement and mockery of organized religion. Firstly, the widow and Miss Watson give no proof or reasons for supporting evidence about what they tell Huck about religion. This, in addition to Hucks nave way of thinking, are reasons he does not fully grasp the ideas of a providence or spiritual gifts(Line 30, Chapter 3). Huck tries to pray for material things but does not receive them. Miss Watson never tells him why he did not get them and Huck couldnt make it out no way (Line 25 Chapter 3). That line shows his belief he wont be accepted by God, nor is he worthy of His time. This also shows he is completely oblivious to their teachings. Huck has a mentality off-center from the rest of his society and many of his ideas about life make sense from a very analytical perspective, thus his total opposition to fully accepting Miss Watsons teachings is justified. As this is a satire. Even as he went out into the woods and turned it over (Line 33 Chapter 3), he still cannot grasp the full meaning, so he decides to let it go. If there were more hard facts and proof in favor of organized religion, rather worship of a blind faith, Huck would understand. Twains satire shows that there is no sense or importance in organized religion. Tying into the issue of lack of evidence supporting organized religion, bad presentation and teaching of it shows Twains negative stance on organized religion. Miss Watson is a primary reason Huck feels opposed to acceptance of her religious teachings. Her strict, stern and disciplinary demeanor aid (In addition to joining Tom Sawyer) in Hucks decision to want to go to the bad place (Line 1, Chapter 1). She constantly criticizes his posture and movement, scolding him for getting his clothes dirty, and putting him down saying he was a fool (Line 24 Chapter 3). Her behaviour toward him is negative and disciplinary, which he associates with her religious teachings, thus he feels religion is equated to lack of freedom and control by others. In knowing Huck Finns free spirited and rebellious manner, he will not conform to strict---or even partial adherence to the religion. Conversely, the Widow is calm, warm, and caring to Huck. Her talk of the Providence, for example, have Huck completely taken. He cares about what the widow

Very Well Justified Satire Senneca Harris-Williams

thinks of him and basks in her role as a nurturer. Miss Watsons teaching and personality however are clearly disliked by Huck. After the widow talks to Huck about religion, Miss Watson would take hold and knock (Line 37 Chapter 3) down any of the things the prior had said. The way that religion is presented or more appropriately forced upon someone has a significant effect on how it is received. Had Twain been positively exposed to organized religion by a competent society, he may not scorn it so much. On the subject of society, the people of Hucks thought that they had to help other people, do everything they could to help others, and to never think about themselves (Lines 31-32 Chapter 3). Miss Watson also says in Heaven, all a body would have to do there was to go around all day long with a harp and sing, forever and ever (Lines 13-15 Chapter 3). She is only relaying what she was told, and gives no correct or justified reason to want to go to Heaven. Someone needs to teach her about religion before she tries to tell someone else. Her portrayal shows the irony of societal views on religion. She is a hypocrite. If you have a slave, and find him inferior to the White race, you arent necessarily fulfilling the helping others requirement nor are you worth going to Heaven. In this, Twains satire is hot, proving a valid point. Miss Watson is a trite, ardent devotee to the ignorant organized religion of the time. Huck, being different from the people in his world, rightfully rejects the organized religious teachings, alongside Twain. To conclude, Twains concepts in the novel show that there is no supporting evidence to support organized religion, demonstrates bad presenting of the religion, and refers to societal morality on organized religion----thus showing his agreement and unacceptance of organized religion.

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