Reference

Mark Twain utilized sarcasm and humor effectively to convey his anti-imperialist message, often through works that criticized national policies and exposed their underlying injustices and hypocrisies. Twain's use of these literary tools allowed him to present serious critiques while engaging his audience with wit.

Key Works and Methods:

1. "To the Person Sitting in Darkness": This article is noted for its penetrating sarcasm and scathing revelation of the injustice and hypocrisy associated with imperialism. Twain criticized the justification of imperial actions under the guise of bringing civilization and the Gospel to the so-called "benighted native" (source).

2. Satirical Writings: Twain's satirical style is a hallmark of his literature, using irony, sarcasm, and humor to comment on societal issues, including imperialism. His ability to draw blood with humor, sometimes incorporating detailed accounts of violent and cruel actions abroad, made his critiques memorable and impactful (source).

3. King Leopold's Soliloquy: Twain's works such as "King Leopold's Soliloquy" are noted for their bitter and satirical tone. While these works caused him to lose some readers, they also earned him respect globally for taking a strong stance against imperialist policies (source).

These writings reflect Twain's adeptness at combining humor with serious critique, using sarcasm to illuminate the flaws in imperialistic ideologies and practices.