A common goal of many literary works is to achieve "reflective laughter", in which the first response to a situation is laughter, but it leads the reader to think later its meaning and application. in real life. One such work is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, a brilliant work of American literature known for its commentary on the society of the Antebellum South. Twain's humor in Huckleberry Finn is satirical in order to convey his thoughts on the cruelty, self-centeredness, and hypocrisy of people in Southern society. Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn's special and imaginative friend, is one of the prime examples of Twain's "reflective laughter." Tom's mischievous but subtly cruel personality and frequent escapades, however, allow him to show how little he cares about those around him, focusing only on how he will benefit from the experience. This can be seen when Huck suggests an easier way to get Jim out of Uncle Silas and Aunt Sally's shed. Tom chastises Huck by saying, "Oh, damn it, Huck Finn, if I was as ignorant as you, I'd keep quiet – that's what I'd do." Who ever heard of a state prisoner escaping by a hickry-bark ladder? Well, that’s perfectly ridiculous” (p. 254). This shows both Tom's tendency to complicate simple things in order to follow the "rules" of adventure, as well as his carelessness towards others and his dominant nature. Tom is so absorbed in his own world that he doesn't realize how cruel he is to Huck and everyone else. Tom's plan is ridiculously long and detailed, which makes it funny that someone would make such an elaborate plan. Before Tom explains his full-fledged plan, it becomes obvious to Huck that Tom has no intention of deviating from his plan. Furthermore, Tom's rigid adherence to the rules and conventions of society aligns him with the "civilizing" forces that Huck learns to see through. Although Tom's role in the novel's plot is minimal, his contribution to the overall message is essential. His absurd antics and vivid imagination create amusing scenes and moments, but they share a deeper meaning that Twain intends to convey to his audience. Depicting the juxtaposition of a privileged man from Antebellum South society in the character of a young boy contributes to the satirical nature of the novel by lending a certain hilarity to the seriousness of Tom's cruel behavior.