What aspects of Huck Finn could be considered offensive?

Twain uses satire and questionable diction that may appear offensive to his audience throughout Huck Finn.  Through the voices and actions of different characters, Twain portrays his views to the reader. Religion and hypocrisy are satirized often, but the church scene between the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons appears most significant, " The men took their guns along with them, so did Buck, and kept them between their knees or stood them handy at the wall (Twain 109). The sermon delivered that day consisted of the importance of brotherly love, therefore criticizing the apparently "pious" nature of these families. Religion was taken more seriously at the time this novel was published and those who were strongly religious could take great offense.

Romanticism became very popular in Twain's era and even before. Tom represents a boy with a romantic spirit whom thrives for adventure. Tom desires to expand each simple idea to parallel with a romantic based novel.  Twain continues to satirize romanticism through the providing Tom's "innovative" ideas as a hinderance to the mission rather than a benefit. Crazed romantics would find the portrayal and representation of Tom as an offensive piece of Twain's message. 

Twain continues to view slavery negatively, but more importantly the slave owners. The Solomon chapter provides a closer view of how each race sees the value of freedom and justice. American citizens may take offense to the apathy Twain adds to the white man's character in their view of a slave, "We blowed out a cylinder head. 'Good gracious! Anybody hurt?' 'No just a slave' 'well it's lucky because sometimes people do get hurt'" (Twain 221). Twain portrays the white man to lack compassion and justice in many parts of his book, therefore potentially making his intended audience angry with his choices.

Twain satirizes different topics to not only make his audience think but to strengthen the lovableness and credibility of Huck that blossoms throughout Huck Finn.