Question

In at least one hundred words, define burlesque humor and cite at least one example of it from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. What does this use of burlesque humor add to the story?

Answer 1

Burlesque humor is a literary device which is used to cause laughter. This could be done in many ways: by caricaturing the serious topic or just treating the subjects ridiculously. In English, it has been used since 17th century. Early successful users of burlesque include Shakespeare, Cervantes and Chaucer.  

One example of burlesque in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is Huck's attempt to rescue Jim after learning that he has been sold. The lines "All right then, I'll go to Hell to rescue Jim out of slavery" mention this event. The plan to save Jim is described in a literary manner which is known as burlesque. Tom's thoughts on escaping Jim and the humor alongside with it is a notable example.  

Answer 2

Answer:

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain employs a particular type of satire known as burlesque humor. The word burlesque is an Italian term that means “mockery.” It’s a term that originated in the theater, most notably in the dramatic works of Shakespeare and Chaucer In literature, burlesque refers to ridiculous exaggeration. It describes scenes in which characters are placed in exaggerated situations, providing an opportunity for the author to develop his theme through comedy. A prime example of Twain’s use of burlesque in chapters 10 and 11 is when Huck decides to dress as a girl to find out the latest news from town.

Explanation:

Taken from  THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN: SATIRE AND THEME