Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Mark Twain Born Samuel Clemens in 1835 Grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, on the Mississippi River Worked various jobs printer’s assistant apprentice to a riverboat pilot, fought for two weeks for the confederate army during the Civil War Before Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain best known for his humorous stories

The Novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written 1876-1883 published 1885 novel set in the 1850s—the Civil War was not until 1861-1865

Slavery in Huck Finn Twain’s father was a slaveholder slavery was a common sight in Missouri before Civil War Missourians had mixed feelings about slavery; state never joined the Confederacy racist characters portrayed in an unflattering light; the moral conscience of society is contrasted with Huck’s heart/inner conscience

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is “a book of mine where a sound heart and a deformed conscience come into collision and conscience suffers defeat” —From one of Mark Twain’s notebooks dated August 1895

Picaresque Novel Chronicles life in 1st person point-of-view. Central character (picaro) – low social level a ‘rascal’--would rather live by his wits than by ‘honorable’ work. Series of episodes (not a regular plot)

Picaresque (continued) Pícaro wanders and has adventures with people of all social classes and professions. Often just barely escapes punishment for his own lying, cheating, and stealing Method is realistic: plainness in language. Satire prominent element Uses humor to expose societal/institutional flaws and to illustrate the need for change Hero stops short of being an actual criminal

Satire Seen through literary genre/form, as well as graphic & performing arts Human/individual vices/shortcomings are examined through ridicule, parody, or irony Intended to bring about improvement

Satire (continued) Although humor is often intended, its purpose is to attack something the author disapproves of using wit Often uses: irony juxtaposition sarcasm comparison parody analogy exaggeration double entendre/puns

The Mighty Mississippi Adventures of Huckleberry Finn primarily takes place on the Mississippi River

A passenger riverboat

Log Rafts

Language and Vocabulary “The Widow Douglass she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize me…” “He took me up a little blue and yaller picture of some cows and a boy…” “And ain’t you had nothing but that kind of rubbage to eat?” “…I mean the doctor was shipping a sick man to t’other world, and the preacher was pinting him right.” “Nemmine why, Huck…”