“When red-haired people are above a certain social grade their hair is auburn.”
- November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910
- American
- Author, humorist, and lecturer
- Wrote masterpieces such as “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” and had a major influence on American literature
Quote
“When red-haired people are above a certain social grade their hair is auburn.”
Explanation
Mark Twain’s quote humorously critiques the tendency of society to place value on appearance and social status by suggesting that even something as basic and natural as hair color is subject to change depending on one’s social class. The phrase “red-haired people are above a certain social grade” points to the societal habit of assigning labels or making distinctions based on superficial traits. Twain adds, “their hair is auburn,” suggesting that people of a higher social standing will often reframe or redefine common characteristics (like red hair) to sound more refined or acceptable in elite circles. By calling red hair “auburn,” the implication is that the same trait is seen as more elegant or sophisticated when it belongs to someone of a higher status.
Twain’s humor here is a satirical commentary on the snobbery and pretentiousness of social class distinctions, highlighting how society has a tendency to elevate or reframe simple characteristics to align with social norms or expectations. The idea that red hair becomes “auburn” in the context of higher society reflects how people often try to make themselves appear more polished or refined by altering or softening the natural qualities that might be considered less desirable or common.
In modern contexts, this quote remains relevant when considering how social class and status influence how we present ourselves or perceive others. Whether it’s the way we label things (such as calling someone’s accent “charming” versus “working class”) or how we reframe physical traits to fit into certain cultural ideals, Twain’s words remind us of the artificial nature of these distinctions and the absurdity of elevating simple, natural qualities to make them more palatable or acceptable based on social hierarchy.
