The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain



The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

An Anticipation Guide is....a set of questions regarding the assigned novel. These questions will help you consider the conflicts and topics you may have confronted in your reading. They are also designed to encourage you to think about issues that are present in the novel. Take a few minutes and complete the following Anticipation Guide. It simply consists of a few simple yes/no questions and a few opinion questions.

1. Is deception ever acceptable behavior?      If so ,when?

2. What is the most important thing you learned before you were 10 years old?

3. Do your views match those of the adults in your life?

4. In your opinion, when does a person become an 'adult'?

5. Do you believe racism exists today?

6. Do you think the human character is essentially good or evil?

7. Do you think people differ much according to the part of the country they live in? 

8. Do you enjoy realistic stories? Why or why not?

Intro to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

“All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn…

It’s the best book we’ve had. All American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing good since.”

—Hemingway

Have you been grumbling about reading the classics in English 11? If so, read on.

There are many reasons why we read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. One reason is that it opened up new style possibilities to writers. Ernest Hemingway, himself a great American writer, states this in the quote above. The book is realistic. Its dialogue spells words incorrectly so they sound like those spoken by people in the Mississippi region in the mid-1800's, including the language of black slaves. For example, in one chapter Jim says, "Say, who is you? Whar is you? Dog my cats ef I didn' hear sumf'n. Well, I know what I's gwyne to do: I's gwyne to set down here and listen tell I hears it agin." The dialogue is often grammatically incorrect; but again, it is realistic. The book also offers many wonderful examples of irony. For instance, the feuding Shepardson's and Grangerfords go to church carrying guns.

Another reason we read the book is because of its connection to the issue of slavery and race relations. Some students argue that slavery is over so we should forget about it, but being aware of how slaves were treated years ago, helps us be sensitive to the struggles blacks have had to endure throughout American history. Hopefully this awareness will allow us to be supportive and tolerant of all races.

Finally, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has value for you today as you face moral issues in your life. The book addresses the issue of virtue. Virtues are linked to what we define as right or wrong, but sometimes one person's code of ethics can be completely different from another person's. Huck struggles with the issue of helping Jim gain his freedom. Time spent with Jim on the river has taught Huck that Jim is more than a slave—Jim 's a man. Huck knows intrinsically that slavery is wrong, yet the law says it is right. Furthermore, helping Jim gain freedom will not help Miss Watson, Jim's owner. Like Jim, Miss Watson has been kind to Huck. To whom does Huck owe allegiance?

As you move into your adult life, you will be faced with many moments when you must decide what is right and wrong. If a boss asks you to do something unethical will you do it? Being loyal to your employer is a worthy quality. Keeping company information secret is wise and commendable. Is it commendable if you are asked to do something wrong?

So as you can see, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has many redeeming qualities that make it a worthwhile read for students of all ages. Pick it up and start reading with an open mind. When you finish, you will probably be pleased that you invested time on reading this memorable American classic.

Collaborative Pairs: Scavenger Hunt

Directions: Answer your assigned set of numbered questions. When you and your collaborative partner have each finished your questions, share your answers. Stop at each lettered bolded question and answer it together.

Who is the author of the novel?

What is the author’s real name?

A. Why might the author use a pseudonym?

When does the novel take place?

When was it published?

What significant events occurred during the setting and/or context?

What literary movement dominated this period? What literary period preceeded it?

B. Consider the significance of the time span between #1 and #2. How could knowledge of setting and author's context change how you read/interpret the novel?

Characterize Huck (appearance, words, actions, interactions with others, comments from narrator)

Characterize Tom (appearance, words, actions, interactions with others, comments from narrator)

C. Compare and Contrast Huck Finn and Tom. Consider and explain the application of Foil.

Describe the relationship between Huck and Jim prior to Jackson Island.

Describe the relationship between Huck and Jim on the river.

D. Does the relationship between Huck and Jim change? Why or Why not? Is this typical for the time period? Why or why not?

Based on your knowledge of the author's life, what connections can you make between the novel and the writer?

Based on your knowledge of the social context of the writing, what connections can you make between the time period and the novel?

E. What type of literary criticism did each partner engage in when examining the book? How do the two approaches possibly change how we read/interpret the novel.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Characterizing the Protagonist:

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|Words/ | | | |

|Thoughts of Character | | | |

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|Character’s Actions | | | |

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|Interactions with | | | |

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|Direct Comments from | | | |

|Narrator | | | |

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Huck and Jim

| |Beginning of Novel |Middle Section |End of Novel |

| |(1-11) |(12-31) |(32-43) |

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|Huck’s Comments about Jim | | | |

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|Huck’s Interactions with Jim | | | |

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|Huck’s Conversations with Jim | | | |

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Episodic Novel:

1. Who is in the episode?

2. What happens throughout the episode?

3. Where does the episode take place in the novel (describe setting, page number)?

4. When does the episode take place in the novel (previous episode, following episode)?

5. Why does Mark Twain include this episode in the novel (connect to social commentary, theme development)?

Episodes: *Answer each question above for the following plot episodes*

➢ Walter Scott

Who:

What:

Where:

When:

Why:

➢ Fog

Who:

What:

Where:

When:

Why:

➢ Shepherdson's and Grangerfords

Who:

What:

Where:

When:

Why:

➢ Colonel Sherburn

Who:

What:

Where:

When:

Why:

➢ Small Pox

Who:

What:

Where:

When:

Why:

The River:

Find textual examples where the role of the river/impact of the river on characters is discussed. Write the quote and page number. Consider Twain’s possible purpose of setting the story on the Mississippi River. Apply a biographical lens (Twain) and a Sociological Lens (Ideas of the Time Period).

2.

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Biographical Interpretation of the River:

Sociological Interpretation of the River:

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Writing Prompt

“All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn… It’s the best book we’ve had. All American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing good since.” --Hemingway

The development of “American Writing” made significant progress in the 1800s. American literature saw the arrival of the first American short story writer, poet and novelist. Take a moment and refresh your memory:

|Genre |Author |Year |Dominant Work |

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|Short Story | | | |

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|Poetry | | | |

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|Novel | | | |

“American Writing” defined itself in the three genres through three primary characteristics:

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Prompt: After considering the given characteristics, how does the final leg of the “American Writing” trifecta reflect the aspects of “American Writing”? Essentially, why do critics and the American literary community define Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as the Great American novel?

Directions: Write a well-developed paragraph that describes two characteristics of the “Great American Novel” in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Be certain to use the modeled paragraph construction.

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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is to be read and analyzed as a satirical work. It targeted many social strata and their way of think as well as their way of acting. To achieve this with success, Mark Twain used a twelve-year-old hero, who laughed at the corrupt society denouncing swindling, drunkenness and materialism. That hero – Huck – used his inventiveness, his quickness, his morality, his innocence and his love of adventure to ridicule not only the above mentioned vices, but also social, cultural and religious institutions.

Conflicts:

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Themes:

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Essay:

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is regarded as a bildungsroman, a coming of age story where the protagonist Huckleberry Finn grows and matures as a result of his experience. Throughout his journey, he challenges his previous notions about his travel companion Jim.

Prompt: How does Huck Finn change throughout the novel? Consider Huck’s view and treatment of Jim throughout the novel. Using direct text from the novel, discuss the characterization of Huck Finn throughout the novel (beginning, middle, end) as seen through his relationship with Jim.

Format:

➢ Typed

➢ APA Cover Page

➢ Minimum Five Well-Developed Paragraphs (Topic Sentence, Direct Text, Explanation, Transitions)

➢ Underline your thesis statement and your topic sentences.

➢ Direct Text in Each Body Paragraph (APA in text citations)

➢ Conclusion that discusses the significance of this change (think of what Mark Twain is saying about his time period, his people, his country).

The Prompt:

• What is the question asking?

• What are the key terms in the question? What do they mean?

Your Thesis Statement:

• Where does it go?

• What question must it answer?

Your Body Paragraphs:

• What are the four questions for the development of a body paragraph?

• What is a logical way to organize your body paragraphs based on the prompt?

• What must each body paragraph contain for the essay to be accepted?

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Huck and Jim begin their journey in the fictitious town of St. Petersburg, Missouri on the Mississippi River. The town of Cairo, shown above by the circle, is a critical location on the river. This is where the Ohio River joins the Mississippi. If Jim travels down the Ohio River he will be far from the slave states. If he drifts past the Ohio, Jim will be moving deeper into slave country.

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