Huck Finn Reading Observations

Huck Finn Reading Observations

Chapters 1-2 Objectives: Students will gain an awareness of Twain s use of narrative voice to create a naive, wide-eyed character primed for the purpose of satiric observation and commentary on society s flaws. Why does Twain mention Tom Sawyer? What effect does it have on the audience? Describe Huck. What do we know about him so far? How is he characterized? What examples of dialect and idioms do we see? What is the nature of prayer? What is God? Describe the differences between Huck & Tom. Which one is the Romantic? The Realist?

Chapters 3-4 Students will examine society s spectrum of roles, from civilized to uncivilized to superstitious, and evaluate Huck s malleable nature and resilience. Huck and Tom are foils. Provide examples of differences and similarities between the two. Recall Romantic vs. Realist. What are Huck s feelings about society and adults? Why does he feel this way? What purpose does Don Quixote serve? Why does Huck go to Jim? What does Jim predict for Huck?

Chapters 5-7 Students will evaluate Huck s resilience and society s failures with special focus on Huck s comparison of himself to Tom Sawyer and his fancy touches Ridiculous and immoral nature of the legal system connect with slavery in period Twain is writing about legal rights vs. welfare Naïveté of the judge Describe Pap. What kind of man is he? Discuss the nature of good and evil. Why does Huck not mind staying with Pap? What does this say about his character? Pap s rant against the govment Symbolism of color

Chapters 8-10 Students will draw parallels between Huck s stay on Jackson s island with the Garden of Eden and will assess the nature of Huck and Jim s relationship on the island and off of it. Huck & Jim: What s their connection? Jim s superstitions Who s inside the floating house? What is the nature of Jim & Huck s relationship?

Chapters 11-12 Mrs. Loftus is a contrast in many ways from adults we ve met previously in the book; however, she continues to follow many of society s teachings. Students will discuss and analyze the nature of her character. What does Huck & Jim s raft represent? What happens when Huck acts like Tom Sawyer? How does this contrast what happens when he acts like himself? Practicality vs. Morality

Chapters 13-14 Students will examine Jim s role in the novel. What themes and social critiques does his character bring out? Why does Jim give in to Huck even when he knows he s making a foolish decision? What qualification does Huck use for Jim s intelligence? What does this tell us about Huck s moral development (or lack thereof)? What is the difference between right and wrong? Good and evil?

Chapters 15-16 Students will identify areas where Huck s openmindedness is still challenged by his Southern beliefs about the world. Students will discuss Huck s moral crisis regarding returning Jim to Miss Watson. Why does Huck humble himself to Jim in Chapter 15? Why was it hard for him? Why is Huck paranoid so much? Why does Huck undergo an emotional disruption when he starts criticizing Jim in Chapter 16? How does Huck s quick thinking remind you of Tom Sawyer s Romanticism?

Chapters 17-18 Students will identify humorous and romantic elements (as ridiculous as they may be) in the Grangerson-Shepherdson feud and discuss the contradictions present in the Grangerford family. What is Twain criticizing by including Emmeline s poem, Ode to Stephen Dowling Bots, Dec d? Discuss the comedy of the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons. What is Twain s goal by including this episode in the novel? Reunited and it feels so good Huck is again traumatized by violence in Chapter 18. Discuss the implications of this trauma. How do we know the scene made such an impact on Huck?

Chapters 19-20 Students will identify the distinction of power between blacks and whites through the duke and dauphin episode and as Huck and Jim travel further south down the Mississippi. Students will also discuss the use of comedy in the face of deeper issues in the novel. Why does Twain begin Chapter 19 by describing a typical 24-hour period in their lives? Discuss the duke and the dauphin. Critics say that Twain is satirizing excessive religious fervor in the camp meeting incident in Chapter 20. Is he satirizing it or simply describing it?

Chapters 21-24 Students will discuss the duality of comedy and seriousness. Students will also analyze the development of the victims (like the townspeople or the Wilks family) of the duke and dauphin s crimes. Discuss the Colonel Sherburn incident, including the subsequent lynch mob. In particular, discuss Colonel Sherburn s speech to the crowd. Discuss the Royal Nonesuch show. Huck tells Jim about kings and gets some of his facts straight, but some are totally wrong. What one opinion of Huck s (and probably Twain s) comes across clearly? What story does Jim tell that is filled with sentimentality and sadness? What does this tell us about Jim s innate nature? Does Huck recognize this? Huck concludes Chapter 24 by saying, It was enough to make a body ashamed of the human race. To what is he referring?

Chapters 25-26 Students will continue to analyze the development of the victims (like the townspeople or the Wilks family) of the duke and dauphin s crimes. Discuss Huck s morality concerning the duke and dauphin s criminal behavior. What contrasts is Twain painting between Jim and the white characters (other than Huck) in the novel? Where is Huck in terms of his moral development at this point? How does Huck taking the money and hiding it illustrate this development?

Chapters 27-28 Students will continue discussing Huck s moral development in light of events involving the Wilks family. Although these chapters are serious, what examples of humor, suspense, absurdity, and sarcasm can you find? What passages stand out in your mind? Why?

Chapter 29-30 The pacing in chapters 27-29 is quite different from many other chapters of the book. What is Twain s goal and how is this pacing created? What single incident proves the king and duke to be nearly as stupid as the townspeople? The duke and dauphin are finally exposed for the frauds that they are. Describe the changes in their character that we have witnessed over the course of the novel.

Chapters 31-34 Discuss ways in which Huck reveals the development or regression of his moral development. How does Huck s decision to free Jim no matter the cost demonstrate his moral growth? All right, then, I ll go to hell (Twain 162). How does this statement reveal a change in Huck s character? What is Tom and Huck s plan to save Jim? It was a dreadful thing to see. Human beings can be awful cruel to one another (Twain 174). Discuss Huck s comments about a conscience as well. What does the reappearance of Tom do to Huck? Why does Tom have the effect on him? What remnants of racism that Huck still hold? Discuss ways in which Tom serves as a foil for Huck throughout the novel. Some critics believe Twain has robbed Jim of his humanity in chapter 34 and the succeeding chapters, reducing him to a non-entity, a character who is nearly unnecessary, except to serve as the reason for Tom s escape. Agree? Disagree? Qualify?

Chapters 35-39 What is your take on Sally? With the return of Tom to the story, Chapters 34-43 take on a different tone. In what way? Although not as serious in purpose, these chapters are funny. What are some of the funniest incidents? How do they relate to the romanticism we discussed at the beginning of the novel? How can you explain Jim s willingness to go along with Tom s foolishness? Discuss moral ambiguity in this section of the novel.

Chapters 40-43 What startling revelation does Huck come to regarding Jim? Huck shows himself to be a thoughtful, caring person at the end of Chapter 41. In what way does he do this? Throughout the book, the river represents peace, happiness, and freedom. The towns and civilization represent rules, boredom, and sometimes cruelty and treachery. In the last paragraph of the story, what does Huck say is preferable? What loose ends are tied up by the end of the novel? In what ways is Jim a less-developed character at the beginning and at the end of the novel than he is in the middle of the novel? Identify passages from the novel in which Twain satirizes the average man, human gullibility, and romantic literature. Explain why this novel is sometimes seen as a rite of passage story. Consider how Huck is at the beginning, what ordeals he goes through, and how he survives at the end.