Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain “All American literature began with the publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (Ernest Hemingway)

Why is Adventures of Huckleberry Finn such an important novel? Who was Mark Twain? Why is Adventures of Huckleberry Finn such an important novel? What makes this novel so distinctly American?

Importance of the Novel: First American novel to capture the “sounds” of American speech by accurately using the dialects of poor Missouri whites and blacks Although supposedly taking place BEFORE the Civil War, the book openly condemned the ill-treatment that blacks were still experiencing in the 1880s in America The novel dared to condemn racial inequality

Mark Twain 1835-1910 Born near Hannibal, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River Halley’s Comet was visible (he predicted that he would die when the comet came again) Hannibal, Missouri, served as the model for the town in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Childhood: His father died when Twain was twelve; Twain worked to help support family Became a journeyman apprentice printer for the Hannibal Gazette newspaper Left home for St. Louis, New York, and Philadelphia as an “itinerant” (traveling) printer

The Mighty Mississippi Became a steamboat captain on the Mississippi (a high-paying, and sometimes dangerous, occupation) Piloted for two years, “learning the river” His pseudonym MAY have come from “mark twain,” the term signaling the correct depth of water for a riverboat, OR it came from always getting two drinks (“mark twain”—mark “two” drinks) in bars out West Civil War broke out, ending most traffic on the river Joined the Confederate army, but deserted after two weeks

Out West: Traveled to Nevada and California with his brother Forced to leave Nevada for fleeing a duel Began writing for newspapers and magazines Traveled to Hawaii as a reporter for a San Francisco newspaper Began a successful career as a “stand-up” comedian, reading his works and telling jokes

Europe Traveled to Europe While onboard ship, saw a picture of the sister of one of the ship’s passengers, and “fell in love instantly” Returned to New York; met “Livy,” the girl in the picture Courted Livy; married her in 1870

Marriage and Success: Twain published The Innocents Abroad, which was an instant bestseller Married Livy; her parents gave the couple a house as a wedding present Their first child, a son, died They had the first of their three daughters Twain invented and patented the Mark Twain Self-Pasting Scrapbook

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Published in 1876, this was a cheerful childhood “adventure” book with a happy ending, based on his childhood in Hannibal, MO A wildly successful book, Twain’s wealth grew

Career Flourished: Published A Tramp Abroad , Life on the Mississippi; and The Prince and the Pauper Published the memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, saving Grant’s family from financial ruin Started investing in the Paige Typesetter (which would later prove unwise) Published Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Readers expected this novel to be a “sequel” to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Many were shocked and angered that the novel dared to take on the issue of racial equality Others were outraged that the narrator of the book was an uneducated, somewhat “delinquent” child with an alcoholic father

Publishing Business: Twain founded his own publishing company Foolishly invested in the Paige typesetter, buying exclusive rights Published A Connecticut in King Arthur’s Court

Financial Tragedies: Twain invested nearly $200,000 in the Paige Typesetter He published Pudd’nhead Wilson, and his publishing company failed Twain declared bankruptcy Forced to tour Europe, giving readings and humorous speeches to raise money to pay off his debts

Family Tragedies: Susie, his favorite daughter, died while Twain was away in Europe His wife’s health started failing and she died Paid off all his debts His daughter Jean died He formed the Angelfish Club for young girls Experienced heart trouble and died in the year that Halley’s Comet returned.

Historical Ramifications: In the 1850s, where did the state of Missouri stand on the issue of slavery? How were slaves regarded prior to the Civil War? After the Civil War? How could intelligent people actually believe that slavery was an appropriate institution? Why were actions such as helping slaves escape or teaching slaves to read considered punishable crimes?

Continued: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in the 1880s, well after slavery had been abolished. Twain grew up when slavery was legal, and the novel’s setting is the 1840s/1850s, before the Civil War. Twain wrote the novel to condemn the “Jim Crow” laws that existed after the Civil War. What did he understand about humanity that many people of his time (and even today) did not?

Banned! Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was banned the year after its release by the committee of the Public Library of Concord, Massachusetts, on the grounds that it was coarse, immoral and unsuitable for young readers. However, this only increased its popularity and sales.

“Anticipation Guide” On a piece of paper with your name on it, rate how you agree or disagree with the following themes we will discuss in Huck Finn. Keep this paper. Society’s laws and values can be in conflict with higher moral values People must live outside of society to be truly free. Gullible people are partially responsible for their own deception. People behave irrationally and even cruelly in large groups. Greed always destroys lives.

While reading Chapter 1: Pages 1-4 Use textual evidence from Huck Finn to support one of your opinions from the Anticipation Guide. Annotate the specific passages as we dissect the text together.