Chapters 1-3
3. In what ways is Huck different from the other boys in the gang?
The main difference is that Huck does not have any family. He only knows of his drunk father that is possibly dead. Many believe that a body found in the river was him but Huck thinks that it is a woman in man's clothing. Also, Huck is very mature for his age. He is much more rational then the other boys and he has a realistic view of the world that is different from Toms idealist view.
5. Does Huck fear going to hell? Why or why not?
No, because he believes that it is just another adventure. He asks if Tom will be going to hell and the answer is yes so he wants to go with his friend. He also believes that it would be nice to have a change of scenery.
7. What do the "robbers" think ransoming is and what are some objections to it?
They think that ransoming is keeping people captive until they die. Their objections are that after so long, there would not be enough room left for the them if the cave were to be full of people that they are keeping ransomed. Also, they do not want to have to have a guard up all night to watch the people. Lastly, they think that they would have to be "nice as pie" to the women so they fear that the women would fall in love with them.
The main difference is that Huck does not have any family. He only knows of his drunk father that is possibly dead. Many believe that a body found in the river was him but Huck thinks that it is a woman in man's clothing. Also, Huck is very mature for his age. He is much more rational then the other boys and he has a realistic view of the world that is different from Toms idealist view.
5. Does Huck fear going to hell? Why or why not?
No, because he believes that it is just another adventure. He asks if Tom will be going to hell and the answer is yes so he wants to go with his friend. He also believes that it would be nice to have a change of scenery.
7. What do the "robbers" think ransoming is and what are some objections to it?
They think that ransoming is keeping people captive until they die. Their objections are that after so long, there would not be enough room left for the them if the cave were to be full of people that they are keeping ransomed. Also, they do not want to have to have a guard up all night to watch the people. Lastly, they think that they would have to be "nice as pie" to the women so they fear that the women would fall in love with them.
Chapters 4-6
2. How does Huck like life with his father? Why does he decide to run away?
Huck misses the freedom of life with his father. He doesn't love the new strictness of his life but he is beginning to get used to it. He left because he hated when his father was drunk and abusive. He wanted to have an unending freedom without the pain of having his father close.
4. What is a hairball? What does this tell us about slave culture?
A hairball is what happens when animals swallow hair that gets caught in their throats/stomachs. The fact that the slave worships a hairball such as the one from an ox as he does shows us that they are very superstitious and religious. It also shows that they are much more primitive then the average person because they are treating something from an animal so highly.
7. What is ironic about Pa's holding Huck against his will?
I find it ironic that Pa is being so opposite of the average parent. The typical parent would want there child to learn in school and become smarter then they are, Pa does not. Most children at Huck's age would love to spend time out of school and with there parent/s, Pa makes Huck wish not to. Lastly, the average parent would worry much more with a custody battle then steeling money from their children, Pa does not. With all of these things combined, i believe that Pa's holding Huck against his will is very ironic.
Huck misses the freedom of life with his father. He doesn't love the new strictness of his life but he is beginning to get used to it. He left because he hated when his father was drunk and abusive. He wanted to have an unending freedom without the pain of having his father close.
4. What is a hairball? What does this tell us about slave culture?
A hairball is what happens when animals swallow hair that gets caught in their throats/stomachs. The fact that the slave worships a hairball such as the one from an ox as he does shows us that they are very superstitious and religious. It also shows that they are much more primitive then the average person because they are treating something from an animal so highly.
7. What is ironic about Pa's holding Huck against his will?
I find it ironic that Pa is being so opposite of the average parent. The typical parent would want there child to learn in school and become smarter then they are, Pa does not. Most children at Huck's age would love to spend time out of school and with there parent/s, Pa makes Huck wish not to. Lastly, the average parent would worry much more with a custody battle then steeling money from their children, Pa does not. With all of these things combined, i believe that Pa's holding Huck against his will is very ironic.
Chapters 7 and 8
1. How does Huck escape the cabin? What does this tell the reader about Huck?
Huck escaped the cabin by sawing a hole in the wall. He then hid the sawed out piece in the back and covered the hole up. Then, he killed a pig and used its blood to look like someone has murdered him. Lastly, he filled his canoe with everything of value in the cabin and he sailed away. This shows that Huck is very resourceful and clever. Also, this shows that he would do anything to get away and escape from the world.
2. Why does Jim run away?
Jim runs away because he heard that he might be sold away for $800. Also, he does not want to be separated from his family. He wants to be a free man.
3. Why does Jim say, "I'm rich now"? In what ways are people rich?
Jim said that he was rich because he had freedom which is a priceless thing to possess. People can be rich by earthly material possessions but also by thinks that u can't by with money. People can have a great wealth of things such as love, happiness, and knowledge.
Huck escaped the cabin by sawing a hole in the wall. He then hid the sawed out piece in the back and covered the hole up. Then, he killed a pig and used its blood to look like someone has murdered him. Lastly, he filled his canoe with everything of value in the cabin and he sailed away. This shows that Huck is very resourceful and clever. Also, this shows that he would do anything to get away and escape from the world.
2. Why does Jim run away?
Jim runs away because he heard that he might be sold away for $800. Also, he does not want to be separated from his family. He wants to be a free man.
3. Why does Jim say, "I'm rich now"? In what ways are people rich?
Jim said that he was rich because he had freedom which is a priceless thing to possess. People can be rich by earthly material possessions but also by thinks that u can't by with money. People can have a great wealth of things such as love, happiness, and knowledge.
Chapters 9-11
1. How does Huck's view of superstition evolve over the course of chapter 10?
Jim threatened Huck that he would have bad luck from touching a snake skin. Huck then tried to play a prank on Jim with the snake skin and Jim later got bitten by the snakes mate. This made Huck very superstition.
2. How would you characterize Mrs. Loftus?
I think that she is a very wise person. She was very patient and calm with Huck. Also, she was a very smart and understanding while dealing with Huck and his lie.
4. How does Huck dressing up as a girl establish his independence as a character?
It shows that he was becoming very mature and capable of taking care of himself. He is being extremely careful and crafty when deciding his own future and he is extremely wise in the present.
Jim threatened Huck that he would have bad luck from touching a snake skin. Huck then tried to play a prank on Jim with the snake skin and Jim later got bitten by the snakes mate. This made Huck very superstition.
2. How would you characterize Mrs. Loftus?
I think that she is a very wise person. She was very patient and calm with Huck. Also, she was a very smart and understanding while dealing with Huck and his lie.
4. How does Huck dressing up as a girl establish his independence as a character?
It shows that he was becoming very mature and capable of taking care of himself. He is being extremely careful and crafty when deciding his own future and he is extremely wise in the present.
Chapters 12-14
1. What does Huck's insistence on boarding the wrecked steamboat tell us about Huck?
Before entering the boat, Huck thinks about what he believes Tom would do. This means that Huck is still trying his best to follow by Tom's example. Also, his entering the boat shows that he i still a very adventurous child and that he wants to be brave and do all that he can do.
2. What is the name of the steamboat? Why do you think Twain might have given her that name?
The steamboats name was Walter Scott. Walter Scott was a famous author that Twain was not a fan of. I believe that the boat was named this because it was Twain's way of dishonoring a man that he was not a fan of by naming something evil and dead with Scott's name.
3. Why does Huck stop and try to save the murderers, and how does this reflect on his character?
Huck stopped to save the robbers/murderers because he believed that someday he may be a robber/murder too. Also, he was beginning to gain the integrity that Widow Duglas has been trying to give to him. He knew that she would be proud of him for doing such a good thing and he also knew that he may even be proud of himself.
Before entering the boat, Huck thinks about what he believes Tom would do. This means that Huck is still trying his best to follow by Tom's example. Also, his entering the boat shows that he i still a very adventurous child and that he wants to be brave and do all that he can do.
2. What is the name of the steamboat? Why do you think Twain might have given her that name?
The steamboats name was Walter Scott. Walter Scott was a famous author that Twain was not a fan of. I believe that the boat was named this because it was Twain's way of dishonoring a man that he was not a fan of by naming something evil and dead with Scott's name.
3. Why does Huck stop and try to save the murderers, and how does this reflect on his character?
Huck stopped to save the robbers/murderers because he believed that someday he may be a robber/murder too. Also, he was beginning to gain the integrity that Widow Duglas has been trying to give to him. He knew that she would be proud of him for doing such a good thing and he also knew that he may even be proud of himself.
Chapters 15-16
2. How does Huck convince the men looking for looking for runaway slaves not to search the raft?
Huck told the man that his family was sick with smallpox and that they were in on the raft. Thee threat of gaining this sickness kept the man away.
3. What is the principal conflict in Huck's mind about Jim?
He is questioning if it is right to take Jim away from his "owner". He feels that this action would be steeling and he doesn't like how he has been lying. He then feels better about his decision to help Jim because Jim said to Huck that Huck was his only friend and that Huck was the only person to ever stand by him.
7. How does the theme of loneliness and isolation come out in these chapters?
This theme comes out because Huck and Jim have been separated twice throughout this chapter. This frightened them both. THe fact that it was dark and foggy did not help their situation.
Huck told the man that his family was sick with smallpox and that they were in on the raft. Thee threat of gaining this sickness kept the man away.
3. What is the principal conflict in Huck's mind about Jim?
He is questioning if it is right to take Jim away from his "owner". He feels that this action would be steeling and he doesn't like how he has been lying. He then feels better about his decision to help Jim because Jim said to Huck that Huck was his only friend and that Huck was the only person to ever stand by him.
7. How does the theme of loneliness and isolation come out in these chapters?
This theme comes out because Huck and Jim have been separated twice throughout this chapter. This frightened them both. THe fact that it was dark and foggy did not help their situation.
Chapters 17-18
3. How does Huck rediscover Jim?
Huck rediscovered Jim with the help of one of the Grangerford's slaves that they lent to him. The slave took him to go see something in the woods. Once they were far out of sight from those at the house, they saw Jim waiting for them. He had stayed away because he was afraid of being caught. Huck later went back to leave with Jim in the future.
7. In Huck's description of the church service and later the hogs that slept under the church floor, do you think that Twain is satirizing religion itself or the way some people practice it?
I believe that he was satirizing the way that some people practice religion. I believe this because he explained how the people in the church seemed sincere, while there were the hogs beneath them. I took this to mean that some people were trying to live a good religious lifestyle on the outside wile they were being "hogs", or sloppy, disgusting, and fat/selfish, on the outside. Also, Huck explained how he thought that the service was boring while many others said tat the loved it. I believe this to also mean that the people are showing something different on the outside than what should really be shown from the inside. Lastly. Huck saw the two families sit close to each other. This might seem fine, except for the fact that they all had their guns between their knees while listening to a sermon on loving your enemies.
8. Would you say that the Grangerford's are basically good or bad people? Why do they end up the way they do?
I think that they are good. Their main flaw is the feud. I believe that they have ended up this way because it is what they were born into. If no one knows why they are fighting, then i think that the elders have been brought up to act and believe as they do. This leads them to then teach there offspring in the same fashion to get them to truly believe in the lifestyle they are living.
Huck rediscovered Jim with the help of one of the Grangerford's slaves that they lent to him. The slave took him to go see something in the woods. Once they were far out of sight from those at the house, they saw Jim waiting for them. He had stayed away because he was afraid of being caught. Huck later went back to leave with Jim in the future.
7. In Huck's description of the church service and later the hogs that slept under the church floor, do you think that Twain is satirizing religion itself or the way some people practice it?
I believe that he was satirizing the way that some people practice religion. I believe this because he explained how the people in the church seemed sincere, while there were the hogs beneath them. I took this to mean that some people were trying to live a good religious lifestyle on the outside wile they were being "hogs", or sloppy, disgusting, and fat/selfish, on the outside. Also, Huck explained how he thought that the service was boring while many others said tat the loved it. I believe this to also mean that the people are showing something different on the outside than what should really be shown from the inside. Lastly. Huck saw the two families sit close to each other. This might seem fine, except for the fact that they all had their guns between their knees while listening to a sermon on loving your enemies.
8. Would you say that the Grangerford's are basically good or bad people? Why do they end up the way they do?
I think that they are good. Their main flaw is the feud. I believe that they have ended up this way because it is what they were born into. If no one knows why they are fighting, then i think that the elders have been brought up to act and believe as they do. This leads them to then teach there offspring in the same fashion to get them to truly believe in the lifestyle they are living.
Chapters 19-20
5. Why do you think Huck helps the duke and the king when he first meets them?
I believe that Huck helped them because he was trying to be a better person and it looked like they needed help. Also, I think that he helped them because he had a hunch that they were in trouble and he thought that if he helped them now, someone may help him in the future when he was in trouble.
6. Huck knows that the duke and king a re frauds from the beginning. Why does he pretend that he thinks they are the real thing?
I think that he pretended along with them because he didn't want to cause any trouble. He knew that if Jim knew who they truly were that he would then kick them out and Huck didn't want that to happen. Also, I think that Huck may have been trying to follow what Tom would have done if he was in the same position. He knew that he would have been looking for the adventure that the men could give him and he also knew that
tom was a con man too so he wanted to learn from them to be like his friend.
9. What is Twain suggesting by having the Duke and King pull their first "con" at a religious revival?
I believe that the main point that Twain was trying to convay was that he believed religious people to be extremely gullible and pointless. I think this because the one man said that he was a recent convert and they raised 80 dollars for him without any real proof. Twain showed through this that he believed religious people to be too trusting of others.
I believe that Huck helped them because he was trying to be a better person and it looked like they needed help. Also, I think that he helped them because he had a hunch that they were in trouble and he thought that if he helped them now, someone may help him in the future when he was in trouble.
6. Huck knows that the duke and king a re frauds from the beginning. Why does he pretend that he thinks they are the real thing?
I think that he pretended along with them because he didn't want to cause any trouble. He knew that if Jim knew who they truly were that he would then kick them out and Huck didn't want that to happen. Also, I think that Huck may have been trying to follow what Tom would have done if he was in the same position. He knew that he would have been looking for the adventure that the men could give him and he also knew that
tom was a con man too so he wanted to learn from them to be like his friend.
9. What is Twain suggesting by having the Duke and King pull their first "con" at a religious revival?
I believe that the main point that Twain was trying to convay was that he believed religious people to be extremely gullible and pointless. I think this because the one man said that he was a recent convert and they raised 80 dollars for him without any real proof. Twain showed through this that he believed religious people to be too trusting of others.
Chapters 21-24
5.How would You describe the town where Huck and Jim landed? What were the inhabitants like?
The town that they landed in was a small, rundown place. It was very still and uneventful. The people were extremely unproductive and lazy. The men would waste there time smoking and arguing about unimportant things.
7. Why do you think Twain includes a description of the circus here? How would you compare the circus to the entertainment provided by the duke and the king?
I believe that the description of the circus is added at this place in the book because it was examining human nature. Twain wrote that everyone but Huck was enjoying the entertainment. This was because Huck did not like how the people in the circus were in danger. The entertainment that the duke and the king provided was advertised as being for men only. These two different forms of entertainment both suited the peoples wish for danger and excitement.
8. How do the duke and the king entice people to see the "Royal Nonesuch"? What do you think Twain is implying about human nature with this?
They advertise the performance as not being for women or children. I believe that twain is implying that human nature makes people want to be accepted and want to be one of the only few allowed to be included.
The town that they landed in was a small, rundown place. It was very still and uneventful. The people were extremely unproductive and lazy. The men would waste there time smoking and arguing about unimportant things.
7. Why do you think Twain includes a description of the circus here? How would you compare the circus to the entertainment provided by the duke and the king?
I believe that the description of the circus is added at this place in the book because it was examining human nature. Twain wrote that everyone but Huck was enjoying the entertainment. This was because Huck did not like how the people in the circus were in danger. The entertainment that the duke and the king provided was advertised as being for men only. These two different forms of entertainment both suited the peoples wish for danger and excitement.
8. How do the duke and the king entice people to see the "Royal Nonesuch"? What do you think Twain is implying about human nature with this?
They advertise the performance as not being for women or children. I believe that twain is implying that human nature makes people want to be accepted and want to be one of the only few allowed to be included.
Chapters 25-28
1. What makes the Wilks girls saddest about having their property sold?
The separation of their family of slaves makes them saddest.
7. How does Huck feel about Mary Jane in there chapters? What do you think it is about her that he responds to so deeply?
He really likes Mary Jane. I think that this is because she was said to be extremely pretty, nice, and innocent.
9. Where is Jim during this entire episode? Why didn't Twain involve him more?
Jim is on the raft. I believe that Twain didn't involve him because he would either drop the news that they are frauds or he would truly believe that they are real along with everyone else. Also, Jim have a hard time explaining he is not with his owner.
The separation of their family of slaves makes them saddest.
7. How does Huck feel about Mary Jane in there chapters? What do you think it is about her that he responds to so deeply?
He really likes Mary Jane. I think that this is because she was said to be extremely pretty, nice, and innocent.
9. Where is Jim during this entire episode? Why didn't Twain involve him more?
Jim is on the raft. I believe that Twain didn't involve him because he would either drop the news that they are frauds or he would truly believe that they are real along with everyone else. Also, Jim have a hard time explaining he is not with his owner.
Chapters 29-31
5. Briefly describe Huck's crisis of conscience that leads up to his decision to write to Miss Watson. How does Twain use irony here to make his satirical points?
Huck knew that he had to help Jim because he knew that Jim trusted him but he didn't want to steal him away so Huck did not know what to do. Twain uses irony to show that slavery holds people back from doing whats truly right.
6. Why does Huck decide to "go to hell"?
Huck decided to go to hell because he knew in his heart that what he was going to do was right for him no matter what others thought. He knew that he had to do what he had to do even though others said that it was wrong.
7. How does Huck escape the Wilks investigation?
Huck escaped by running away.
Huck knew that he had to help Jim because he knew that Jim trusted him but he didn't want to steal him away so Huck did not know what to do. Twain uses irony to show that slavery holds people back from doing whats truly right.
6. Why does Huck decide to "go to hell"?
Huck decided to go to hell because he knew in his heart that what he was going to do was right for him no matter what others thought. He knew that he had to do what he had to do even though others said that it was wrong.
7. How does Huck escape the Wilks investigation?
Huck escaped by running away.
Chapters 32-34
3. How does Twain use irony in the discussion between Huck and Mrs. Phelps about the steamboat accident that Huck makes up?
Huck said that a slave was killed. He and Mrs. Phelps then acted happy. The ironic part of this is that Huck is there to rescue a slave.
6. Why is the title "The Pitiful Ending of Royalty" significant to chapter 33?
The title of this chapter is significant because Huck sees the duke and the king being run out of town after they have been tarred and feathered. This infers that the "royalty" is now gone.
8. How does Twain add complications to the plot by having the boys accept Tom's plan rather than Huck's?
Huck's plan was simple and easy while Tom's plan involved a of risks and extra work. Because they choose Tom's more complicated plan, you have no idea what will happen. They may even die.
Huck said that a slave was killed. He and Mrs. Phelps then acted happy. The ironic part of this is that Huck is there to rescue a slave.
6. Why is the title "The Pitiful Ending of Royalty" significant to chapter 33?
The title of this chapter is significant because Huck sees the duke and the king being run out of town after they have been tarred and feathered. This infers that the "royalty" is now gone.
8. How does Twain add complications to the plot by having the boys accept Tom's plan rather than Huck's?
Huck's plan was simple and easy while Tom's plan involved a of risks and extra work. Because they choose Tom's more complicated plan, you have no idea what will happen. They may even die.
Chapters 35-38
1. How does returning Tom to the story (chapters 34-43) result in a change of tone and mood?
In the past few chapters of the book, the tone and mood have both been very serious and mature. Now, with Tom back, the story has become more creative and adventurous. Tom has brought much more life to the book then before.
4. What characteristics does Aunt Sally have that enable the boys to take advantage of her?
She is extremely welcoming and trusting of others. She is also very dramatic and not very smart.
8. Explain Jim's willingness to go along with Tom's foolishness.
Jim was very willing to follow Tom at first. I believe this to be because he knows and trusts Tom. Also, I think that he follows him because he wants to leave so badly. Jim followed right away at first but as time went by he began to not fill some of Tom's most ridiculous requests but he still did what was necessary.
In the past few chapters of the book, the tone and mood have both been very serious and mature. Now, with Tom back, the story has become more creative and adventurous. Tom has brought much more life to the book then before.
4. What characteristics does Aunt Sally have that enable the boys to take advantage of her?
She is extremely welcoming and trusting of others. She is also very dramatic and not very smart.
8. Explain Jim's willingness to go along with Tom's foolishness.
Jim was very willing to follow Tom at first. I believe this to be because he knows and trusts Tom. Also, I think that he follows him because he wants to leave so badly. Jim followed right away at first but as time went by he began to not fill some of Tom's most ridiculous requests but he still did what was necessary.
Chapters 39 and 40
3. Explain the verbal irony in Huck's statement: "We was glad as we could be, but Tom was the gladdest of all because he has a bullet stuck in the calf of his leg."
It is strange that he would want the bullet in his leg because the average person would not.
4. Is there any real evidence hat Jim is really suffering during all of this? Does Huck's response to Jim's plight seem reasonable to you?
Jim was probably more comfortable before the boys began to help him. Once they brought in the snakes and rats he had no room to move. Huck felt bad for Jim so I believe that he seemed reasonable.
5. What effect has the last warning letter had on the Phelps's?
The last letter has scared them and made them paranoid.
It is strange that he would want the bullet in his leg because the average person would not.
4. Is there any real evidence hat Jim is really suffering during all of this? Does Huck's response to Jim's plight seem reasonable to you?
Jim was probably more comfortable before the boys began to help him. Once they brought in the snakes and rats he had no room to move. Huck felt bad for Jim so I believe that he seemed reasonable.
5. What effect has the last warning letter had on the Phelps's?
The last letter has scared them and made them paranoid.
Chapters 41-43
5. How does the title of the chapter ( Why didn't they hang Jim? ) immediately appeal to the reader?
I helps them see the chapter different because they know what is going to happen. Also, it makes them wonder why they were going to hang Jim.
6. How do the past conversations between Huck and Jim about hairy bodies being good luck foreshadow the result of chapter 43, last?
In the beginning, it foreshadowed that Jim would have a happy ending.
8. 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 how prejudice the people were because they automatically took him as a runaway slave. Also, it shows what the colored people had to go through unfairly during this period in time.
I helps them see the chapter different because they know what is going to happen. Also, it makes them wonder why they were going to hang Jim.
6. How do the past conversations between Huck and Jim about hairy bodies being good luck foreshadow the result of chapter 43, last?
In the beginning, it foreshadowed that Jim would have a happy ending.
8. 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 how prejudice the people were because they automatically took him as a runaway slave. Also, it shows what the colored people had to go through unfairly during this period in time.