Final answer:
In 'Huckleberry Finn,' Mark Twain uses the character Emmeline Grangerford to satirize the romantic and sentimental culture of the time, as well as to critique posthumous glorification and contribute to the development of themes like death and the exploration of antebellum Southern society.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, the lengthy passages about Emmeline Grangerford serve multiple purposes. One such purpose is to satirize the romantic sensibilities of the time, particularly the morbid fascination with death and the melodramatic expression of emotions. Emmeline's artwork and poetry, which obsessively focus on gloomy and sorrowful themes, highlight the absurdity and superficiality of sentimental culture. Furthermore, these passages contribute to the theme of death, which is prevalent throughout the novel, exemplifying the obsession with mortality in Southern antebellum society.
Another purpose is to provide a critique of the culture of reverence surrounding death and the posthumous glorification of individuals who may not have been exceptional or worthy of such admiration in life. Twain uses Emmeline's character to illustrate how society often elevates the mundane to mythical status after death, glossing over the realities of the person's life. Moreover, Huck’s reaction to the art and poetry presents a stark contrast to the Grangerfords, revealing the gap between genuine emotion and contrived sentimentality.