Final answer:
The irony in Huck's statement is that despite Huck's own experiences with Jim, who displays intellectual and emotional depth, Huck's comment reflects pre-Civil War prejudices against black individuals' capabilities, highlighting Mark Twain's critique of slavery and racial discrimination in 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The irony in Huck's statement at the end of the chapter, 'I see it warn't no use wasting words—you can't learn a n*****r to argue. So I quit.' lies in its stark contrast with the numerous occasions throughout Mark Twain's 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' where the character Jim, who is a slave, repeatedly displays the ability to think, feel, and reason just like any other human.
Huck's own experiences with Jim challenge the prejudiced notion that black individuals lack intellectual and emotional depth, which was a common misconception during the pre-Civil War era in which the novel is set.
This statement by Huck is especially ironic when considering Twain's other passages that humanize Jim and showcase his keen awareness and insight.
Huck’s utterance also serves to reflect the societal attitudes of the time, subtly critiquing the flawed logic and inherent contradictions in the system of slavery and racial discrimination.