Which of these excerpts from Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi best shows Twain's subtle sense of humor?
A.
The minister's son became an engineer. The doctor's and the postmaster's sons became "mud clerks"; the wholesale liquor dealer's son became a barkeeper on a boat.
B.
But when he came home the next week, alive, renowned . . . it seemed to us that the partiality of Providence for an undeserving reptile had reached a point where it was open to criticism.
C.
The pilot, even in those days of trivial wages, had a princely salary—from a hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty dollars a month, and no board to pay.
D.
And the boat is rather a handsome sight, too. She is long and sharp and trim and pretty; she has two tall, fancy-topped chimneys.
B. "But when he came home the next week, alive, renowned . . . it seemed to us that the partiality of Providence for an undeserving reptile had reached a point where it was open to criticism."
To identify which excerpt from Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi best shows his subtle sense of humor, you can analyze each option and look for elements that evoke amusement or irony. Here's a breakdown of each excerpt:
A. The humor in this passage lies in Twain's satirical tone, emphasizing the contrasting paths taken by the sons of different professions. Twain's use of unexpected choices for the sons' occupations, such as the minister's son becoming an engineer and the wholesale liquor dealer's son becoming a barkeeper, adds a humorous twist.
B. This excerpt displays Twain's humor through the use of clever sarcasm. The phrase "the partiality of Providence for an undeserving reptile" is a humorous exaggeration, suggesting that someone who is generally undeserving has received undue favor from a higher power.
C. The humor in this passage derives from the exaggerated description of the pilot's salary. By referring to the salary as "princely," Twain gently mocks the idea that even though the wages were trivial, they still seemed extravagant to many.
D. Twain's humor in this excerpt comes from his admiration for the boat's appearance, using descriptive language that is slightly exaggerated. By referring to the boat as a "handsome sight" and highlighting its attractive features, he adds a touch of whimsy.
Considering these explanations, option B stands out as the best example of Mark Twain's subtle sense of humor.