Huckleberry Finn

Chapters VI - VII Pap  What does he think of school?  Huck’s kidnapping—where does he take him?  Describe their livelihood  What does Huck think of his ‘new’ surroundings and his ‘old’ lifestyle? Huck’s escape plan  What does he hide? What does he take with him?  What does this say about Huck?  Where does he head to?

Chapters VIII - IX Search party  Who is in the search party?  What methods do they use in searching for Huck (and his presumably dead body)? Jackson’s Island  Who does Huck find on the island?  Why did Jim escape?  How did he escape?  Superstitions Where do they hide out in the island?

Chapters X - XI Snakeskin and a rattlesnake?  What is Jim’s superstitious belief?  Does it come true? Huck’s dress-up  What does he do? Where does he go? Why? Sarah Williams  What does Huck find out about “his murder”? Who does the town blame?  Why does Huck get nervous?  How does Judith discover Huck’s gender?

Chapters XII - XIV Floating the River  Night and Day, Day and Night  Ethos of Stealing—Jim’s solution? A New Wreck  What is happening on the wreck?  Huck’s escape and moral crisis  Huck’s solution?  Morality discussion? Discussion of Solomon and Language  What is the misinterpretation? What’s the comedy?

Chapters XV - XVI Lost in the fog  Reconnection—How does Huck attempt to fool Jim?  Huck’s remorse Cairo  What is significant about the city?  What are Jim’s Hopes? Huck’s reaction?  What does Huck resolve to do?  How does this section reflect the political, social, racial, and class issues of the time?  How is this section relevant for future chapters?

Chapters XVII - XVIII Shepherdsons v. Grangerfords  What name does Huck use?  Describe the family and their home?  Southern Aristocracy & Combat  What commentary does this section make about ideology of the South?  Role of religion  Buck’s death and fallout Reconnection with Jim  Jack’s role?  No place like home…

Chapters XIX - XX Introduction to the King and the Duke  Two scam artists—what are they running from?  How do they discuss their ‘true’ identities? Huck’s response (and internal dialogue)? “Play-actin”?  What is the comedy? Arrival to the town  Religious Revival and the King’s “Pirate” Tale  Jim’s new alibi

Chapter XXI Shakespeare  Don’t “bray like a jackass”  Hamlet’s soliloquy  “To be or not to be; that is the bare bodkin”  Comedy? Arkansas arrival  How is the town described?  Boggs & Sherburn  Link to Shakespeare?  What do the townsfolk resolve to do?

Chapter XXII Sherburn’s Speech  Describe the scene  What are his main remarks?  Cowardice, mob mentality, human nature…  Reaction  comedy and absurdity? The Circus  Huck’s Reaction  How does the circus relate to the rest of the novel? Connect themes…

Chapter XXIII The Play and the Scam  What is the Royal Nonesuch?  How are the Duke and King initially saved?  Grand escape… Discussion of Kings  What does Huck say?  What does Jim say?  Describe the role of the King and the Duke in the novel…  Connection to Twain? Jim’s Daughter  Huck’s reaction  How does this reflect the racial issues of this time?  How is Jim different than the other characters?

Chapter XXIV - XXV Jim’s Alibi, Part 2  “Sick Arab—but harmless when not out of his head” Scamming the Wilks  “Providence” & encounter with young traveler  Huck’s Reaction  “Ashamed of the human race”  William and Harvey  Twain’s commentary Robinson’s Reaction  What is the response of everyone?

Chapter XXVI Huck as “Valley”  Joanna (hare-lip) and Huck  Huck’s View of England King’s Bigger Dreams  How does he convince the Duke? Huck’s Decision  How does this show a shift in his personality?  However, how does he still display immaturity?

Chapter XXVII-XXVIII Hiding the money  Where does he put the sack of money and why?  What is his plan? Does it fail? Slave Market  Blaming the slaves to save them…  Reaction? Huck’s Honesty  Why is he finally honest with Mary Jane?  More lies to Susan: “pluribus-unum mumps” Unexpected Arrival

Chapter XXIX Harvey & William  What is their explanation for arriving late?  The mob’s effect… Lawyer’s Test  Why doesn’t it work? A Hidden Tattoo  Why doesn’t it work?  Effect? Huck’s Escape?