Huck Finn 1-4
- Chapter 1 - Aunt Polly and Widow Douglas take in Huck as their own and Huck explains his life.
- Chapter 2 - Huck hangs out with Tom Sawyer, and Jim is introduced when Huck trips as one of the slaves. The kids go on a boat to a large cave and Tom Sawyer introduces his gang where they rob and hold people for ransom.
- Chapter 3 - The gang broke up because there wasn’t anything happening.
- Chapter 4 - Huck goes to school to learn, and then gives the rest of the money he has to Judge Thatcher because he wasn’t sure what to do with it anymore.
- Chapter 5 - Huck’s goes to find his Dad but his Dad is sent to court and the Judge declares that Huck should be with his dad. Finally his Dad wants Huck to give him all his money so Huck gives him $3 which his Dad uses to buy liquor.
2. Describe the time period of the novel.
- The time period in the book is sometime in the 1800's because there was still slaves during the time and in 1800's saves were still legal.
3. How does the perspective/point-of-view of the narrator influence the story?
-Since the narrator is telling what happened he could twist the story in ways that makes it sound more interesting.
- The time period in the book is sometime in the 1800's because there was still slaves during the time and in 1800's saves were still legal.
3. How does the perspective/point-of-view of the narrator influence the story?
-Since the narrator is telling what happened he could twist the story in ways that makes it sound more interesting.
Chapter 5-11
1. Explain why Pap has Huck locked up.
- Pap had Huck locked up because Pap was keeping him to get money.
2. Create a visual of how Huck escapes The Shanty.
3. Explain what it means to be an Abolitionist. Why is it Huck is concerned about being called one?
- An Abolitionist means supporting to get rid of slavery. Huck was concerned about being call one because if you were one you were looked down on by everyone.
4.There are several things that give Huck away when he pretends to be a girl. List them. Then, come up with 3 things that would give a boy away and 3 things that would give a girl away (if the roles were reversed) in our modern times.
- Huck was very nervous and couldn't stay still, threw several things at a rat.
- Pap had Huck locked up because Pap was keeping him to get money.
2. Create a visual of how Huck escapes The Shanty.
3. Explain what it means to be an Abolitionist. Why is it Huck is concerned about being called one?
- An Abolitionist means supporting to get rid of slavery. Huck was concerned about being call one because if you were one you were looked down on by everyone.
4.There are several things that give Huck away when he pretends to be a girl. List them. Then, come up with 3 things that would give a boy away and 3 things that would give a girl away (if the roles were reversed) in our modern times.
- Huck was very nervous and couldn't stay still, threw several things at a rat.
Chapter 11- 16
1. What is the story of King Solomon and his child? How does Jim interpret that story?
- King Solomon had two women come to him and couldn't decide who the mother of the child was so he just cut the baby into two slices and gave them to the two women. Jim interprets that the king didn't even care for the child or the two supposed mothers.
2. When Jim wakes up after their separation in the fog, what does Jim’s reaction to Huck tell us about him? How do you feel about Jim at this point?
- When Jim wakes up after their separation in the fog he is thinks it was just a dream and his reaction toward Huck tells us he worries about Huck and wants to keep him safe. How i feel about Jim so far is that he is very superstitious but cares a lot about Huckleberry Finn.
3. Jim is very superstitious. From a historical standpoint, why do you think this is?
- Jim is very superstitious because he has no education so he explains everything things he doesn't understand.
4. “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger – but I done it, and I warn’t ever sorry for it afterwards, neither.” What does this line tell us about Huck?
- Huck was afraid to talk to Jim because he was a slave so it took him time to actually go talk to him and he didn't regret doing so.
- King Solomon had two women come to him and couldn't decide who the mother of the child was so he just cut the baby into two slices and gave them to the two women. Jim interprets that the king didn't even care for the child or the two supposed mothers.
2. When Jim wakes up after their separation in the fog, what does Jim’s reaction to Huck tell us about him? How do you feel about Jim at this point?
- When Jim wakes up after their separation in the fog he is thinks it was just a dream and his reaction toward Huck tells us he worries about Huck and wants to keep him safe. How i feel about Jim so far is that he is very superstitious but cares a lot about Huckleberry Finn.
3. Jim is very superstitious. From a historical standpoint, why do you think this is?
- Jim is very superstitious because he has no education so he explains everything things he doesn't understand.
4. “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger – but I done it, and I warn’t ever sorry for it afterwards, neither.” What does this line tell us about Huck?
- Huck was afraid to talk to Jim because he was a slave so it took him time to actually go talk to him and he didn't regret doing so.
Chapter 17- 22
1. Describe the Grangerford family
- The Grangerford family is the definition of a perfect family during that time period. They are very wealthy and have maids and workers that help them with their chores and activities. Every person of the family has their own personal maid or worker to help them with almost anything.
2. Mark Twain alludes that the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons is about traditional feuds between farmer (“granger”) and rancher (“shepherd”). Why would he write this into the novel? What does it say about these two occupations at this time
- The feud between the two families is like a competition to them about almost everything and they see which family is better.
3. Toward the end of chapter 18 Huck says “I don’t want to talk much about the next day. I reckon I’ll cut it pretty short.” Huck says this prior to telling us about the big battle. How does our narrator’s perspective play a role in what we think and feel reading this section
- Huck saying this is just telling us about himself and what how he was feelings before the big battle. Huck doesn't want to talk about it though or what will happen.
4. Explain who the King and the Duke are. Why does Huck go along with their story
- The King and the Duke pretend to be different people by dressing up so that they can steal money from the Peter Wilks family. Huck doesn’t think that it is the right thing and he refuses to help them even though they are bad people.
5. What problems do you anticipate with the Duke’s solution to how they can all run the raft during the day
- The Duke's solution is all over the place and having people do it.
- The Grangerford family is the definition of a perfect family during that time period. They are very wealthy and have maids and workers that help them with their chores and activities. Every person of the family has their own personal maid or worker to help them with almost anything.
2. Mark Twain alludes that the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons is about traditional feuds between farmer (“granger”) and rancher (“shepherd”). Why would he write this into the novel? What does it say about these two occupations at this time
- The feud between the two families is like a competition to them about almost everything and they see which family is better.
3. Toward the end of chapter 18 Huck says “I don’t want to talk much about the next day. I reckon I’ll cut it pretty short.” Huck says this prior to telling us about the big battle. How does our narrator’s perspective play a role in what we think and feel reading this section
- Huck saying this is just telling us about himself and what how he was feelings before the big battle. Huck doesn't want to talk about it though or what will happen.
4. Explain who the King and the Duke are. Why does Huck go along with their story
- The King and the Duke pretend to be different people by dressing up so that they can steal money from the Peter Wilks family. Huck doesn’t think that it is the right thing and he refuses to help them even though they are bad people.
5. What problems do you anticipate with the Duke’s solution to how they can all run the raft during the day
- The Duke's solution is all over the place and having people do it.
Chapter 22 - 26
1. At the very end of chapter 22 we see the handbill that the king and the duke will pass out. The duke says “if that line don’t fetch them, I don’t know Arkansaw!” Why would the line at the bottom of the handbill work to get people into the play?
- The end - line of the handbill says "Ladies and children are not admitted". The handbill would persuade people into playing because many men would do stuff if their wives aren't able to come. It allows men to have a "night off" and have more freedom due to the fact that their wives and kids are not allowed to go (because they aren't admitted). Saturdays are for the boys.
2. Towards the end of chapter 23 we see this line: “What was the use to tell Jim these warn’t real kings and dukes? It wouldn’t a done no good; and besides, it was just as I said; you couldn’t tell them from the real kind.”
a. Why doesn’t Huck see the use in telling Jim?
-Jim is worrying about to much, Huck didn't want to worry him about anything else. My thoughts are that Huck doesn't think there is a reason telling Jim.
b. What does Huck mean by “you couldn’t tell them from the real kind.”?
-My thoughts are that Huck doesn't think there is a reason telling Jim and he probably already knows they aren't real.
3. The final line in chapter 24 reads: “It was enough to make a body ashamed of the human race.” What is Huck talking about? What does it tell us (the reader) about Huck that he feels this way?
- I think that he says that because the King and the Duke being such greedy people, pretend to act as the brothers of a dead man to own his land and wealth he left behind. They made Jim and Huck pretend to be their helpers. So I think that Huck was ashamed that they were acting like people they weren't, especially when they were talking about a life that had been lost.
4. In chapter 25 we meet the doctor. How does the doctor know that the king and the duke are a fraud?
- The Doctor knew that the King and the Duke were frauds because when the Duke gave a speech in a British accent it wasn't believable. The Doctor believed to think it to be the worst accent he had ever heard so he knew that the King and the Duke were frauds and weren't actually related because they didn't know anything about the man or his life.
5.The king and the duke consider leaving in the middle of the night with the money (chapter 26). Why don’t they?
-The King comes to think it would be a good idea to stay until the land was good, so that they can get more money than they have got already.
- The end - line of the handbill says "Ladies and children are not admitted". The handbill would persuade people into playing because many men would do stuff if their wives aren't able to come. It allows men to have a "night off" and have more freedom due to the fact that their wives and kids are not allowed to go (because they aren't admitted). Saturdays are for the boys.
2. Towards the end of chapter 23 we see this line: “What was the use to tell Jim these warn’t real kings and dukes? It wouldn’t a done no good; and besides, it was just as I said; you couldn’t tell them from the real kind.”
a. Why doesn’t Huck see the use in telling Jim?
-Jim is worrying about to much, Huck didn't want to worry him about anything else. My thoughts are that Huck doesn't think there is a reason telling Jim.
b. What does Huck mean by “you couldn’t tell them from the real kind.”?
-My thoughts are that Huck doesn't think there is a reason telling Jim and he probably already knows they aren't real.
3. The final line in chapter 24 reads: “It was enough to make a body ashamed of the human race.” What is Huck talking about? What does it tell us (the reader) about Huck that he feels this way?
- I think that he says that because the King and the Duke being such greedy people, pretend to act as the brothers of a dead man to own his land and wealth he left behind. They made Jim and Huck pretend to be their helpers. So I think that Huck was ashamed that they were acting like people they weren't, especially when they were talking about a life that had been lost.
4. In chapter 25 we meet the doctor. How does the doctor know that the king and the duke are a fraud?
- The Doctor knew that the King and the Duke were frauds because when the Duke gave a speech in a British accent it wasn't believable. The Doctor believed to think it to be the worst accent he had ever heard so he knew that the King and the Duke were frauds and weren't actually related because they didn't know anything about the man or his life.
5.The king and the duke consider leaving in the middle of the night with the money (chapter 26). Why don’t they?
-The King comes to think it would be a good idea to stay until the land was good, so that they can get more money than they have got already.
Chapter 27-30
1. Why did people stay up with the dead during this time period?
- During the time period, southerners found it necessary to stay awake with a recently dead body especially if it was a relative or a friend to show respect. They would usually would stay until the casket was made or till the police came to figure out what happened to the body.
2. What do we learn (or reaffirm) about Huck when he tells Miss Mary Jane the slaves will see their family again in inside of two weeks?
- We learned that Huck still cares for Jim after telling Mary Jane to wait to tell the others about the money in the coffin so they could escape without getting chased after, which could get Jim in trouble since he is a runaway slave.
3. What were the two methods the townspeople used to try to identify who the brothers were and who the frauds were?
- The townspeople first tested the handwriting from the Duke and the real Harvey Wilks to a letter that came from the Real Harvey to see who the fraud was. In results they found that the Duke was the fraud and so he protested and said that the real Harvey's arm was broken so how could they tell if that really how he writes. Second they knew about the tattoo that the real Harveys brother had so they both drew the crest out and then compared it to the actual tattoo on the brothers back. Once again the Duke seemed like a fraud, but then the Undertaker said he saw no tattoo of any sort.
- During the time period, southerners found it necessary to stay awake with a recently dead body especially if it was a relative or a friend to show respect. They would usually would stay until the casket was made or till the police came to figure out what happened to the body.
2. What do we learn (or reaffirm) about Huck when he tells Miss Mary Jane the slaves will see their family again in inside of two weeks?
- We learned that Huck still cares for Jim after telling Mary Jane to wait to tell the others about the money in the coffin so they could escape without getting chased after, which could get Jim in trouble since he is a runaway slave.
3. What were the two methods the townspeople used to try to identify who the brothers were and who the frauds were?
- The townspeople first tested the handwriting from the Duke and the real Harvey Wilks to a letter that came from the Real Harvey to see who the fraud was. In results they found that the Duke was the fraud and so he protested and said that the real Harvey's arm was broken so how could they tell if that really how he writes. Second they knew about the tattoo that the real Harveys brother had so they both drew the crest out and then compared it to the actual tattoo on the brothers back. Once again the Duke seemed like a fraud, but then the Undertaker said he saw no tattoo of any sort.
Chapters 31- 35
1. Huck says “You can’t pray a lie.” What lie is he trying to pray about? What does he mean?
- Huck prays to God for forgiveness for helping Jim runaway after he was about to be sold. Huck then realized that he couldn't pray for that because he wants Jim to be free so he says "I guess I'll just go to hell," and decides to save Jim
2. Why does Huck tear up the letter he writes?
- Huck thought about if Miss Watson gets Jim back she is still going to sell him for money so he tore up the letter to Miss Watson. Huck wouldn't give up Jim, Jim is him best friend now.
3. Huck is disappointed that Tom would help him steal Jim. He says “Tom Sawyer fell, considerable, in my estimation. Only I couldn’t believe it. Tom Sawyer a nigger stealer!” What do you think of this?
- I think Tom helping Huck steal Jim is a little suspicious because no one would just take the risk of getting caught but, since Jim means so much to Huck then it could be seen as a good thing.
4. Huck says two things at the end of chapter 33:
- “Human beings can be awful cruel to one another.”: this could reference to when the King and the Duke were being hung from a rail with tar and feathers all over their bodies.
- “But that’s always the way: it don’t make no difference whether you do right or wrong, a person’s conscience ain’t got no sense, and just goes for him anyway.”: This was said by Huck after seeing the King hung up. Huck felt guilty though he didn't do anything and saw the wrong in peoples consciences.
5. Why are Tom and Huck looking for a more difficult way to break Jim free?
- Huck doesn't like Toms plan because it's too simple. Tom then fixed his plan to make it more intense which Huck even says the plan was 15 times crazier and could even get them killed.
- Huck prays to God for forgiveness for helping Jim runaway after he was about to be sold. Huck then realized that he couldn't pray for that because he wants Jim to be free so he says "I guess I'll just go to hell," and decides to save Jim
2. Why does Huck tear up the letter he writes?
- Huck thought about if Miss Watson gets Jim back she is still going to sell him for money so he tore up the letter to Miss Watson. Huck wouldn't give up Jim, Jim is him best friend now.
3. Huck is disappointed that Tom would help him steal Jim. He says “Tom Sawyer fell, considerable, in my estimation. Only I couldn’t believe it. Tom Sawyer a nigger stealer!” What do you think of this?
- I think Tom helping Huck steal Jim is a little suspicious because no one would just take the risk of getting caught but, since Jim means so much to Huck then it could be seen as a good thing.
4. Huck says two things at the end of chapter 33:
- “Human beings can be awful cruel to one another.”: this could reference to when the King and the Duke were being hung from a rail with tar and feathers all over their bodies.
- “But that’s always the way: it don’t make no difference whether you do right or wrong, a person’s conscience ain’t got no sense, and just goes for him anyway.”: This was said by Huck after seeing the King hung up. Huck felt guilty though he didn't do anything and saw the wrong in peoples consciences.
5. Why are Tom and Huck looking for a more difficult way to break Jim free?
- Huck doesn't like Toms plan because it's too simple. Tom then fixed his plan to make it more intense which Huck even says the plan was 15 times crazier and could even get them killed.
Chapter 36-40
1. In the process of breaking Jim free, what is Tom’s motivation? What is Huck’s motivation?
- Tom had motivation because he would to tell about his story and make his sound like a hero even if it was or wasn't the right thing to do.
2. What do Huck and Tom mean when they say they “let on” about something? Why do they do this?
- Huck and Tom say "let on" meaning to keep Sally into thinking that they don't know what had happened to all her stuff but they took them. It's leading Sally on because she thinks that the rats or someone else other than the two of them had anything to do with her things.
3. Why is Tom writing the letters and posting warnings? Why did he give instructions to his aunt and uncle’s slave? What are his motivations for this?
- Huck writes the letters to warn and misguide the Phelps's into thinking that Jim was stolen from them but it was just Huck and Tom. He tells his Aunt's and his Uncle's slave that Jim was caught just to get the attention of the newspapers from St. Louis to New Orleans so that people with chasing after Jim.
4. We’ve worked a great deal on this novel’s satirical elements. How is the planning and plotting of Jim’s escape by Tom and Huck satire?
- The plan and plot of Jim's escape was satirical because they could've done it easily with a simple plan, but they wanted to do it where it seemed more stylish so that's the reason they used pocket knives instead of shovels or pick axes then just hand Jim the things that he would need to escape.
5. Towards the end of the chapter Huck says “I knowed he was white inside” about Jim. Why does he say this and what does he mean?
- Huck meant that even though Jim is a black man who ran away from his owner, deep down knew Jim had the same thoughts and feelings as white men. Jim tells Huck that he wasn't going to let Tom just die because he needs to be rescued, so he's won't leave without Tom going to the doctor and getting his bullet wound patched up.
- Tom had motivation because he would to tell about his story and make his sound like a hero even if it was or wasn't the right thing to do.
2. What do Huck and Tom mean when they say they “let on” about something? Why do they do this?
- Huck and Tom say "let on" meaning to keep Sally into thinking that they don't know what had happened to all her stuff but they took them. It's leading Sally on because she thinks that the rats or someone else other than the two of them had anything to do with her things.
3. Why is Tom writing the letters and posting warnings? Why did he give instructions to his aunt and uncle’s slave? What are his motivations for this?
- Huck writes the letters to warn and misguide the Phelps's into thinking that Jim was stolen from them but it was just Huck and Tom. He tells his Aunt's and his Uncle's slave that Jim was caught just to get the attention of the newspapers from St. Louis to New Orleans so that people with chasing after Jim.
4. We’ve worked a great deal on this novel’s satirical elements. How is the planning and plotting of Jim’s escape by Tom and Huck satire?
- The plan and plot of Jim's escape was satirical because they could've done it easily with a simple plan, but they wanted to do it where it seemed more stylish so that's the reason they used pocket knives instead of shovels or pick axes then just hand Jim the things that he would need to escape.
5. Towards the end of the chapter Huck says “I knowed he was white inside” about Jim. Why does he say this and what does he mean?
- Huck meant that even though Jim is a black man who ran away from his owner, deep down knew Jim had the same thoughts and feelings as white men. Jim tells Huck that he wasn't going to let Tom just die because he needs to be rescued, so he's won't leave without Tom going to the doctor and getting his bullet wound patched up.
Chapter 41- End
1. Towards the end of chapter 41: “And then when I went up to bed, she come up with me, and fetched her candle, and tucked me in, and mothered me so good I felt mean and like I couldn’t look her in the face”. Why does Huck feel this way?
- Huck feels bad because she thinks that she lost Tom, which she still thinks is Sid, and he feels bad knowing that he is still alive and that he helped the slave run away. He doesn't want to look her in the eyes because he's afraid that if he does, he will tell her everything they did and she will be upset. She expressed so much concern for him even, and the feeling of guilt is overtaking him because he made her worry and caused some trouble to help Jim escape. Right after this, Huck and Sally stay up a little longer talking about "Sid".
2. In chapter 42 we hear the doctor’s account of his experience treating Tom: “so I says, I got have help, somehow; and the minute I says it, out crawls this nigger from somewheres, and says he’ll help; and he done it too, and done it very well.” Can we come to an understanding about Jim from this? What do we learn about him?
- Jim was so worried and guilty that Tom was shot while escaping that he was willing to sacrifice his freedom to save Tom. Jim is a thoughtful and caring man. He would do anything to save this friends that got him and saved him from slavery. The doctor found Tom and he was too injured to be left alone while he was getting help, so he says that he needed help, and then comes Jim. When Jim heard, he decided that he needed to help and would loose everything to help Tom. Jim is faithful and the Doctor could tell he was exhausted from being worked hard. Jim was a great 'nurse' to Tom, caring for him and helping no matter what even when it put his life at stake.
3. What do we learn about Tom from what he says when he wakes up after being treated for the gunshot wound?
-Tom wants to live a life of adventure and wants people to know that it was him. When he dropped the bomb shell of Miss Watson's passing and that she set Jim free in her will although they were freeing an already free slave, we could see that he wanted the thrill of the adventure more than the reward. Tom knew that Jim was free but saw it as a way to have a safe adventure. Tom has been keeping the secrets about the death of Miss Watson and the fact that Jim is free tells us that he will do anything to have an adventure. Including freeing someone who is already free.
4. You’ve finished the novel: Tell me, in three to four sentences, what you think of Huck.
-Huck is a young daring man who looks for anyway to have adventure. He is caring for people that he loves and will do anything to keep them safe. Huck would do anything for his friends even if it means death.
- Huck feels bad because she thinks that she lost Tom, which she still thinks is Sid, and he feels bad knowing that he is still alive and that he helped the slave run away. He doesn't want to look her in the eyes because he's afraid that if he does, he will tell her everything they did and she will be upset. She expressed so much concern for him even, and the feeling of guilt is overtaking him because he made her worry and caused some trouble to help Jim escape. Right after this, Huck and Sally stay up a little longer talking about "Sid".
2. In chapter 42 we hear the doctor’s account of his experience treating Tom: “so I says, I got have help, somehow; and the minute I says it, out crawls this nigger from somewheres, and says he’ll help; and he done it too, and done it very well.” Can we come to an understanding about Jim from this? What do we learn about him?
- Jim was so worried and guilty that Tom was shot while escaping that he was willing to sacrifice his freedom to save Tom. Jim is a thoughtful and caring man. He would do anything to save this friends that got him and saved him from slavery. The doctor found Tom and he was too injured to be left alone while he was getting help, so he says that he needed help, and then comes Jim. When Jim heard, he decided that he needed to help and would loose everything to help Tom. Jim is faithful and the Doctor could tell he was exhausted from being worked hard. Jim was a great 'nurse' to Tom, caring for him and helping no matter what even when it put his life at stake.
3. What do we learn about Tom from what he says when he wakes up after being treated for the gunshot wound?
-Tom wants to live a life of adventure and wants people to know that it was him. When he dropped the bomb shell of Miss Watson's passing and that she set Jim free in her will although they were freeing an already free slave, we could see that he wanted the thrill of the adventure more than the reward. Tom knew that Jim was free but saw it as a way to have a safe adventure. Tom has been keeping the secrets about the death of Miss Watson and the fact that Jim is free tells us that he will do anything to have an adventure. Including freeing someone who is already free.
4. You’ve finished the novel: Tell me, in three to four sentences, what you think of Huck.
-Huck is a young daring man who looks for anyway to have adventure. He is caring for people that he loves and will do anything to keep them safe. Huck would do anything for his friends even if it means death.