Regionalism (see author’s “Explanatory” Note—)

“Local Color”— (The Mississippi Valley)

Satire (def.—the use of irony or sarcasm in exposing folly —)

Irony (i.e., honorable robbery—[Tom Sawyer’s Gang]; Huck is "wrong for doing the right thing [Huck doesn't turn Jim in--not accepted by society]

Historical Setting of Antebellum South (1840s): slavery—

Twain’s Contemporary South: Reconstruction and Jim Crowe Laws

Critical of Current Social Values—

Critical of Government—

Twain’s novel invokes a number of literary traditions. . .

Elements of domestic comedy and melodrama; comic burlesques of life in the deep South

Picaresque narrative (“picaro” meaning rascal or rogue); a narrative of clever rogues and adventures

Depicts lowlife of Mississippi River with the magic of romance

Embodies what society values-- (trick on Jim)

Accepts values; lets cultural norms override common sense

Twain criticizes current values; makes Tom look “silly”

Thinks for himself

Questions

“Real” Character

Used as a tool to demonstrate Huck’s internal battle—“snake bite” scene—