The Theme of Social Criticism in Mark Twain’s Works: A Study of How Twain Critiques Society and Institutions in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Gilded Age
The Theme of Social Criticism in Mark Twain’s Works: A Study of How Twain Critiques Society and Institutions in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Gilded Age
Mark Twain’s works are imbued with sharp social criticism, often targeting the moral, political, and economic inconsistencies of the society of his time. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Gilded Age, Twain critiques various aspects of 19th-century American life, including the flaws of institutions, social norms, and the pursuit of wealth.
In Huckleberry Finn, Twain’s criticism of the institution of slavery is particularly pronounced. The character of Jim, the runaway slave, serves as both a symbol of the dehumanizing effects of slavery and a means by which Twain critiques a society that devalues human life based on race. Through Huck’s evolving relationship with Jim, Twain encourages readers to question societal norms that justify racial inequality. Twain uses Huck’s moral dilemma to expose the moral contradictions inherent in a society that claims to be based on freedom and equality while allowing slavery to persist.
In The Gilded Age, Twain and co-author Charles Dudley Warner use satire to critique the greed, corruption, and political inefficiency that defined the post-Civil War era. The novel exposes how the pursuit of wealth and power leads to widespread corruption, using characters like the fraudulent politician and unscrupulous businessmen to illustrate how American society was marred by materialism and political corruption. The title itself, The Gilded Age, refers to the period’s thin veneer of prosperity, which masks the underlying social and economic inequalities.
Through his works, Twain reflects the concerns of his time, offering scathing critiques of social institutions, economic practices, and political power structures. His satire remains timeless, addressing universal themes of hypocrisy, greed, and injustice.
