In regard to Twain's sense of humor, William Dean Howells once observed that "he held the audience in the palm of his hand and tickled it." Though other literary icons perceived Twain as explicitly funny in lecture and conversation, his style of humor in writing is more veiled and dry to common audiences.

At his historic first meeting with James Whistler (an American artist living in London), Mark Twain approached one of the artist's easels and nearly touched its canvas with a gloved hand.

"For the love of God!" Whistler cried. "Be careful Clemens. Apparently you don't realize that the paint is still fresh." 

"No need to be concerned," Twain replied. "I have my gloves on."

In this anecdote (which may have been altered over time) Twain's disregard and lack of value for the fresh paintings of an established artist establishes a dry sense of humor and condescension as key facets of his personality.

The classification of Mark Twain as a humorist stems from his frequent use of four elements of humor as literary devices: sarcasm, irony, satire and banter. These dry forms of humor frequently depend on intelligence and mental fortitude for comprehension, creating the overall patronizing tone as a distinct facet of Mark Twain's reputable personality.

Sarcasm:

Originally from the Greek word meaning, "to tear flesh," sarcasm is typically used in the form of insult. In order to degrade another individual's statement, the speaker feigns exaggerated agreement or praise to a given proposition which is actually the exact opposite of their own opinion.

Ex. “I would like to live in Manchester, England. The transition between Manchester and death would be unnoticeable.”--Mark Twain

For more general info on sarcasm 

Irony:

Similar to sarcasm, Irony involves speaking with a veiled meaning that is opposite to or different from what is actually being said or done. The distinction exists in that an ironic speaker often intends for an audience, or part of an audience to be unaware of the hidden meaning. This occurs when the statement is a reference to an external context that not all audiences may be aware of.

Ex. "Whoever has lived long enough to find out what life is, knows how deep a debt of gratitude we owe to Adam, the first great benefactor of our race. He brought death into the world." --Mark Twain (Pudd'nhead Wilson 33).

For more general info on irony 

Satire:

Primarily a literary device (not as effective in verbal exchange,) satire is the use of wit as a weapon of commentary against social injustice. Twain is particularly acclaimed for this device. The speaker (writer) attacks social institutions, customs and constructs through wisdom and wit. This device may or may not include humor.

Ex. "If voting made any difference they wouldn't let us do it." --Mark Twain

For more general info on satire

Banter:

A humorous device of dialogue in which two or more characters engage in typically spontaneous, playful, fast-paced exchanges. Of the forms of humor Twain engages in his writing, banter is typically the most light-hearted, though sometimes is used for satirical purposes.

"I'm going to buy a new drum, and sure-'nough sword, and a red necktie and a bull pup, and get married."

"Married!"

"That's it."

"Tom, you-why, you ain't in your right mind."

"Wait-you'll see."

"Well, that's the foolishest thing you could do. Look at pap and my mother.

"Fight! Why, they used to fight all the time. I remember, mighty well."

"That ain't anything. The girl I'm going to marry won't fight.

"Tom, I reckon they're all alike..." --An exchange between Tom and Huck in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (128).

For more general info on banter 

"Pudd'nhead Wilson is a story of total irony, total plot." --James Melville Cox in Mark Twain: the fate of humor (256).

In Pudd'nhead Wilson, Twain focuses mainly irony and sarcasm in character construction to evoke an overall notion of satire in construction of characters that engage with each other in a manner that emphasizes themes and motifs, provokes readers to interact with the text, pushes the plot forward and of course entertain.

The title character of the novel, David "Pudd'nhead" Wilson, satirizes the segregative nature of communities by sarcastically suggesting that a dog be separated into two halves. The entire town fails to comprehend the joke and labels him a "pudd'nhead" or nitwit. His progression through the novel leads to his ironic election to the seat of mayor, leader of a town blindly following rules they don't understand.

The irony established through the character Thomas á Becket Driscoll uses  'hidden knowledge' of Tom's race that has been granted to the audience to create an extended irony in many statements made by Tom.

The Extraordinary Twins are Twains attempt at subtle irony and dry humor. By constructing characters that are diverse in their development, Twain allows himself yet another avenue to make social commentary without bringing attention to himself.  

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