1-3
1. Which character appears to be presented in a more favorable light, Widow Douglas or Miss Watson? why do you think so?
The Widow Douglas is presented in a more favorable light she is the one to take him in and give him a home. While Miss Watson is just mooching of them. Miss Watson also scolds poor Huck all the time. Huck even says that he that he does not want to go to heaven if Miss Watson is there and that the Widow Douglas's Providence sounds better. So by comparison the Widow Douglas is much more favorable in Huck's eyes.
2. How would you contrast the characters Huck and Tom?
Huck and Tom are very similar with their love of mischief and fun but Huck knows when to stop. Like in the story when they are trying to not get caught by Jim, Tom just had to play a prank on him even though it jeopardized their escape. This shows that unlike Tom, Huck has a lot to loose because Tom is living with family while Huck only has the Widow and there is always a chance he could lose his home again.
3. Does Huck fear going to hell? Why or why not?
Huck does not fear going to hell because he doesn't quite grasp the concept of religion. He says that he wants to go to hell because Tom Sawyer will be there but he doesn't get that, that is a bad place because no one has ever taught him. and it doesn't help that the one teaching him has corrupt ideas in general of who is worthy of going to heaven.
4-6
1. How does Huck like life with his father? Why does he run away?
Huck loves reverting back to his old laid back life style except for the fact that his father beats him. He does love his father and does long for his affection but realizes that his father is too dangerous and not capable to give it to him. He decides to run away after his father almost kills him with a knife when he is dead drunk.
2. How does the physical description description of Huck's father in chapter 5 also serve to describe his character?
The text states how unkempt and dirty his father is. His clothing is in rags and he has a long shaggy beard. His appearance describes his character by reflecting his life style which is careless, lazy, unclean and full of drunkeness. Not a very good father figure.
3. What is ironic about Pa's holding Huck against his will?
Pa holding Huck against his will is ironic for a number of reasons. The fact that his father is holding his own young son against his will to stay with him is ironic because that is how a family should be, living together. It is also ironic because Huck has finally gotten his life on track and now his father decides he wants him back and makes him revert back to his old ways.
7-8
1. How does Huck escape the cabin? What does this tell the reader about Huck?
Huck escapes the Cabin by using a rusty old saw to cut through one of the bottom beams. He then collects everything in the house that has value and slides it all out of the small opening, including himself. Then he goes to his canoe, that he found that morning and puts everything in it. Before shoves off he fakes his own death so no one looks for him! This shows the reader how self reliant and clever Huck is. It also shows that Huck is mature enough to make it on his own as he has been doing all his life and knows how to take care of himself.
2. Why does Jim run away?
Jim runs away because the Widow and Miss Watson want to sell him. He does not want this for a number of reasons but the number one reason is that he likes where he is and does not want to go to New Orleans. The reason that is, is because it is father south and that means less rights for African Americans.
3. Why does Huck stage his own murder rather than simply running away? What repercussions could this choice have on those who care about him?
Huck stages his own murder because he doesn't want anyone come after him to claim him. He is tired of these adults all taking his freedoms away so he has now finally become his own person and has gained freedom. This reckless act may affect those who love and care about him to be sad and heart broken but at this point Huck needs this new life so I feel it is worth it.
9-11
1. Huck and Jim are runaways seeking freedom in what ways are there differences in their motivation to escape?
Huck is running away because he wants to be his own person and is tired of adults ruling his life. Both adults are extreme we have his Pa a slob who beats him and drinks all the time and the Widow Douglas who preaches and has lots of rules so it is understandable. Jim on the other hand want to run away because he does not want to be sold away from his home and friends. Both are good reasons and have the similar goal to obtain freedom.
2. Hypothesize why the reward for Pap is only $200 and the reward for Jim is $300 given that Pap is suspected as Huck's killer.
The reason this is, is because they are set in the south and racism is abundant. Because of this fact it is much more favorable to blame a black man instead of a white man. Also they can get a profit on Jim on account they want to sell him anyway.
3. What is the significance of chapter 11's title "they're after us?"
The reason this is so significant is because Huck is now using the word "us". This means he now see's Jim as a friend or companion and maybe even as an equal. That is astounding because of the fact that Jim is a black man and Jim has been raised by the racist ways of the south to hate them.
12-14
1. What is the name of the steamboat? Why do you think Twain might have given her that name?
The steamboat was called the Walter Scott. Twain most likely chose this name because it was one of his favourite authors and wanted to immortalize him in his story.
2. Why does Huck stop and try to save the murders, and how does this reflect on his character?
He feels sypathy for them because he took their boat and stranded them on the wrecked steamboat. He feels this way because he can see himself as one of them because the way he is going right now he may very well become a murder. This shows us that Huck is able to show empathy and is a
3. How does the episode with the murders and the attempt to save them develop huck's sense of morality? What is his current code? From whom or what has he
This episode with the murders shows us that huck has a heart and is knows what is right even if its not going by societies rules. His current code is a theives code he helps his fellow looters and lives life on the edge not knowing where he may end up next. He mostly likely developed this from the lazy ways of his father.
15-16
1. How does Huck convince the men looking for runaway slaves not to search the raft?
He cinvinces them not to check the raft by telling them that he and his fake family have small pox. The men not wanting to catch it leave him alone.
2. What is the principal conflict in Huck's mind about Jim?
His conflict in his mind about Jim is whether or not to give him up to the authorities. He doesn't know which is more important, his friendship with Jim or the fact that he is taking him away form his rightful owner Miss Wilson.
3. How does the theme of loneliness and isolation come out in these chapters?
These themes are present because Huck is all alone in his thought process about betraying Jim and deciding what to do. He is also all alone in the thought of even helping a slave because it was socially unacceptable.
17-18
1. After Huck forgets his name, how does he trick Buck into revealing it?
He gets Buck to tell him his fake name by making him spell it.
2. Why does Huck feel responsible for the carnage following Sophia's elopement?
Huck feels responsible for the carnage because he was the one that picked up the note for Sophia that siad details about the elopment and did nothing about it by keeping it to himself. He also ran away to his raft after Buck and the others were killed.
3. How do both Grangerfords and shepherdsons exhibit religious hypocrisy? Explain Twain's use of families' feuding as a satire of the civil war mentality.
The Grangerfords and Shepherdsons exhibit religious hypocrisy by bringing guns to church and going against the scipture " love thy neighbor thy self." Twain uses families' feuding as a satire of civil war mentality by showing brother against brother and people of the same heritage fighting to the extreme over a small mindedness.
19-20
what theory does Jim come up with regarding the origin of the stars?
He is not sure if they were created or just showed up there.
Huck knows the duke and king are frauds from the beginning. why does he pretend that he thinks they are the real thing?
He pretends because he does not want to cause a fight between the four of them. He is also only a child so he doesn't put up much of a threat.
What is twain suggesting by have the Duke and King pull their first "con" at a religious revival?
Twain suggests that both the Duke and King are not very religious.
21-24
1. How do the duke and king entice people to see the "Royal Nonesuch"? What do you think twain is implying about human nature with this?
The duke and king entice people to come see it by saying that women and children are not allowed to come see the show. This made people want to know what was so bad or shocking that women and children can not come. Twain is trying to show that everyone has curiosity and everyone wants something that they can point at and judge.
2. What connection does Huck see between the duke and king and real royalty? What do you think Twain's opinion is?
Huck begins to see some similarities between the king and duke and real royalty.one being their expectancy for high living and the other is corruptness. The fact that their first con is taking money away from a church revival shows that these two are corrupt. Also many kings and rulers are corrupt also in their power. I think twain see's leaders and holders of power in his time as corrupt and undeserving.
3. How would you describe the town where Huck and Jim land? What are the inhabitants like?
Its a lazy run down town full of drunkards and uneducated people. A typical back water town in the south where fights happen frequently about silly things. A shooting even takes place while Huck and Jim are there.
25-28
1. How is Huck's increasing maturity shown in these chapters?
How is starting to show maturity in this chapter by the fact that he is showing deep feelings. He begins to show empathy even guilt towards the Wilks girls. These feelings of understanding show that he is becoming someone who cares for other besides himself.
2. What qualities do the Wilks girls have that allow them to be duped so easily?
The Wilks girls are dealing with the grieving of their late father which means they are vulnerable in many ways. Emotionally they are hoping for some sort of happiness and meeting their long lost uncles will do exactly that. They will also want to believe anything to ease the pain.
3. How would you compare these towns people with the inhabitant the towns people in the last episode? are they better, worse, or about the same?
The towns people in the last episode were very low class full of lazy drunkards who liked to fight. This town is a more high class area of the South where everyone is civil and social full of debutantes like Scarlett O'Hara. This town is much better for those reasons.
29-31
1. What does Huck's easy escape from Hines say about Hines's character?
We can see that Hines is a very greedy character because he let go of Huck for money.
2. Why does Huck decide to "go to hell"?
Huck decides to "go to hell" because he is now going against everything he has been taught to think of as right. He has decided he is going to free Jim going against all morals of the South thus "going to hell"
3. How does Huck escape the Wilks investigation?
In all the excitement with finding the money in the coffin he is able to sneak away back to the raft.
32-34
1. What is ironic about Tom Sawyer's agreeing to help Huck free Jim?
This is ironic because Tom has a stable southern family with specific views about slavery. Unlike Huck, who is very unstable and open to different way of thinking. The fact that Tom is still open to these new views is where the irony comes in.
2. Using evidence from chapter 34 contrast Tom and Huck's ideas of social morality
Tom is more conservative believing in what he has been taught. Huck on the other hand is willing to go against the racial norms to help his friend.
3. How does Twain add complications to the plot by having the boys accept Tom's plan rather than Huck's?
This adds complication because the plan is much more intricate than it needs to be. The fact that Huck has been here the whole time but is taking someone elses ideas new to the situation shows his respect for Tom but does complicate matters.
35-38
1. what characteristics does Aunt Sally have that enable the boys to take advatage of her?
Aunt Sally is very naive and not very educated so she is able to be out smarted easily. For example they make her believe that the mice stole clothes and sheets. She is also a home maker so she does not want to insult her guest whoever they may be.
2. Why did Twain, a well-read, successful author, choose to use the voice of an uneducated rural boy to tell his story?
He wanted to connect to the people he is attacking, close minded people of the south. By using a young child he is easily able to push his opinions on to his unsuspecting readers innocently. Because of Hucks matter of fact tone Twains views come out outspoken but also humorous and indearing.
3. How does returning Tom to the story (chapter 34-43) result in a change of tone and mood?
It adds a more comedic spin on the serious act of trying to help a runaway slave. We also see a difference between the boys. Huck takes this all very seriously because he cares about Jim's well being. Tom on the other hand see's Jim as just a play thing and the whole escape a game.
39-40
1. What does Jim's behavior in these chapters say about his character?
These chapters show us that Jim is able to put up with a lot and has a lot of patience for dealing with the boys crazy plans. It also shows us that he is a mejor follower because he is a grown man and is listening to two young boys. Even if he is a slave he still lacks leadership as a whole.
2. Explain the verbal irony in Huck's statement: "We was glad as we could be, but Tom was the gladdest of all because he had a bullet in the calf of his leg."
This statement is very ironic because Tom is the happiest even though he got shot in the leg and could possibly die. Its even more ironic by the fact they just made a daring escape that will change Jim's life for the better yet tom is still happy because he got shot.
3. What startling revelation does Huck come to regarding Jim?
Huck comes to the startling revelation that Jim is "white on the inside". Meaning he is able to care about others and his family just like a white man.
41-43
1. How does the title of the chapter (why didn't they hang Jim?) immediately appeal to the reader?
This appeals to the reader because it foretells that their journey has not been in vain and Jim is all right. Therefore he has reached his goal of freedom.
2. How do the past conversation between Jim and Huck about hairy bodies being good luck foreshadow the result of chapter 43, the last?
These past conversations about hairy bodies being good luck foreshadow the rest of the chapter because all good things happen. One of the conversations Jim and Huck have had was about body hairy bringing wealth, which in the last chapter Tom gives Jim $40.00 making him rich.
3. What is Twain's purpose in revealing in this last chapter that Jim has been a free man through almost the entire time span of the novel?
It shows that even though Tom knew about Miss Watson's will he still did not tell Jim for his own benefit. He wanted to have fun at Jim's expense basically treating him like a toy rather than a human being with feeling. This shows that Tom's view on race has not changed.