Chapters 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 shown in a more favorable light. Miss Watson appears as the antagonist and the one who punishes Huck. The Widow Douglas also talks more about a good God, and heaven, whereas Miss Watson talks about a bad God and hell. Also Huck is willing to have Miss Watson killed if he reveals information about the group.
5. Does Huck fear going to hell? Why or why not?
No Huck does not fear going to hell, because it is going somewhere. Huck desires a change of scenery, and does not truly understand the concept of hell, therefore, it doesn't seem to scary. He also believes that Tom Sawyer is going to hell, and as long as he's there, Huck wants to be with Tom.
7. What do the robbers think ransoming is and what are some objections to it?
The robbers think ransoming is holding the captives in the cave until they die. Except they keep the women in the cave so they will fall in love with the boys. Some of the objections are that the cave is going to become too full of women who are in love with them and men that they are ransoming.
The Widow Douglas is shown in a more favorable light. Miss Watson appears as the antagonist and the one who punishes Huck. The Widow Douglas also talks more about a good God, and heaven, whereas Miss Watson talks about a bad God and hell. Also Huck is willing to have Miss Watson killed if he reveals information about the group.
5. Does Huck fear going to hell? Why or why not?
No Huck does not fear going to hell, because it is going somewhere. Huck desires a change of scenery, and does not truly understand the concept of hell, therefore, it doesn't seem to scary. He also believes that Tom Sawyer is going to hell, and as long as he's there, Huck wants to be with Tom.
7. What do the robbers think ransoming is and what are some objections to it?
The robbers think ransoming is holding the captives in the cave until they die. Except they keep the women in the cave so they will fall in love with the boys. Some of the objections are that the cave is going to become too full of women who are in love with them and men that they are ransoming.
Chapters 4-6
1. How does Twain satirize "do-gooders" in his description of Pap's reform?
Twain satirizes do-gooders by showing that their effort really doesn't do anything. Although Pap is very remorseful and promises to change his ways he soon goes back to drunken rage. Although they're effort was good, it really didn't do anything, and do-goods don't really make a difference.
3. How does the physical description of Huck's father in chapter 5 also serve to describe his character?
Pap's greasy disgusting appearance shows his lack of care for the for the care of himself and lack of care for the world around him. His ghostly sunken face shows the evil inside of him and the fear he strikes in Huck to cause Huck to describe him that way.
4. What is a hairball? What does it tell us about slave culture?
The hairball is just simply a ball of hair, but the slaves believe that it is a fortune telling oracle. It shows us the mysticism of slave culture, and belief in magic. This belief in magic is also shown in the second chapter with all the talk about witches and that Jim becomes a celebrity for claiming he has scene them.
Twain satirizes do-gooders by showing that their effort really doesn't do anything. Although Pap is very remorseful and promises to change his ways he soon goes back to drunken rage. Although they're effort was good, it really didn't do anything, and do-goods don't really make a difference.
3. How does the physical description of Huck's father in chapter 5 also serve to describe his character?
Pap's greasy disgusting appearance shows his lack of care for the for the care of himself and lack of care for the world around him. His ghostly sunken face shows the evil inside of him and the fear he strikes in Huck to cause Huck to describe him that way.
4. What is a hairball? What does it tell us about slave culture?
The hairball is just simply a ball of hair, but the slaves believe that it is a fortune telling oracle. It shows us the mysticism of slave culture, and belief in magic. This belief in magic is also shown in the second chapter with all the talk about witches and that Jim becomes a celebrity for claiming he has scene them.
Chapters 7-8
1. How does Huck escape the cabin? What does this tell us about Huck?
Huck gets a canoe and finishes sawing the hole. He then collects everything of value in the house, brings it to the canoe, and fakes is own death. This shows that although Huck has very little education he is very clever and thinks things through.
2. Why did Jim run away?
Jim ran away because he over heard Miss Watson discussing selling him to a slave trader who would send him away from his family. Jim wanted to run away so Miss Watson didn't even have the option of selling him.
5. 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 that way people wont go looking for him and he also couldn't be punished for running away. This act though could make those who love him very upset, and those in the town could have pity on Pap because Huck was murdered.
Huck gets a canoe and finishes sawing the hole. He then collects everything of value in the house, brings it to the canoe, and fakes is own death. This shows that although Huck has very little education he is very clever and thinks things through.
2. Why did Jim run away?
Jim ran away because he over heard Miss Watson discussing selling him to a slave trader who would send him away from his family. Jim wanted to run away so Miss Watson didn't even have the option of selling him.
5. 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 that way people wont go looking for him and he also couldn't be punished for running away. This act though could make those who love him very upset, and those in the town could have pity on Pap because Huck was murdered.
Chapters 9-11
1. How does Huck's view of superstition evolve over the course of chapter 10?
In the beginning of the chapter Huck thinks that him holding the rattlesnake skin means nothing but when the rattlesnake shows up he believes it has direct correlation with his bad luck. He then believes that superstitions are true.
2. How would you characterize Mrs. Loftus?
She is clearly very clever because she uses unique things to figure out that Huck is a boy, such as the how he caught something she dropped in his lap. She also noticed the smoke on the island that no one else suspected was of any significance.
3. Why do you think she isn't harder on Huck when she discovers he is lying to her?
She believes that he is just confused and abused, and has a bad home situation. So she gives him compassion thinking that all he needed was some help and love.
In the beginning of the chapter Huck thinks that him holding the rattlesnake skin means nothing but when the rattlesnake shows up he believes it has direct correlation with his bad luck. He then believes that superstitions are true.
2. How would you characterize Mrs. Loftus?
She is clearly very clever because she uses unique things to figure out that Huck is a boy, such as the how he caught something she dropped in his lap. She also noticed the smoke on the island that no one else suspected was of any significance.
3. Why do you think she isn't harder on Huck when she discovers he is lying to her?
She believes that he is just confused and abused, and has a bad home situation. So she gives him compassion thinking that all he needed was some help and love.
Chapters 12-14
1. What does Huck's insistence on boarding the wrecked steamboat tell us about Huck?
Huck is very adventurous as shown by his insistence on loading the steamboat. Huck doesn't think ahead of the dangers that are possible in exploring a wrecked steamboat he just goes. He wanted to be like Tom and explore, which also shows his admiration of Tom.
2. What is the name of the steamboat? Why do you think Twain might have given her that name?
The name of the steamboat is the Walter Scott, which was also the name of a famous poet. Twain might have given this name to her because he is commentating that Scott's career is wrecked, like the steamboat.
4. How accurate is Huck's information about dukes and kings? Why?
Huck's information is not accurate. First of all the son of King Louis XVI is called the dauphin not the dolphin. He also is not in America. I do not know if they knew this at the time but he was actually being tortured and starved in France until he died. Huck's lack of information is due to his lack of education. Anything he knows he has learned from word of mouth and gossip, so the people around him contribute to his incorrect information.
Huck is very adventurous as shown by his insistence on loading the steamboat. Huck doesn't think ahead of the dangers that are possible in exploring a wrecked steamboat he just goes. He wanted to be like Tom and explore, which also shows his admiration of Tom.
2. What is the name of the steamboat? Why do you think Twain might have given her that name?
The name of the steamboat is the Walter Scott, which was also the name of a famous poet. Twain might have given this name to her because he is commentating that Scott's career is wrecked, like the steamboat.
4. How accurate is Huck's information about dukes and kings? Why?
Huck's information is not accurate. First of all the son of King Louis XVI is called the dauphin not the dolphin. He also is not in America. I do not know if they knew this at the time but he was actually being tortured and starved in France until he died. Huck's lack of information is due to his lack of education. Anything he knows he has learned from word of mouth and gossip, so the people around him contribute to his incorrect information.
Chapter 15-16
2. How does Huck convince the men looking for runaway slaves not to search the raft?
He tells them that his family is on board and has small pox. But them men fear infection so they go away and do not even look for Jim.
3. What is the principal conflict in Huck's mind about Jim?
Huck feels bad for "stealing" Jim, because in his mind Jim belongs to Miss Watson. Huck feels conflicted because Jim is also his friend and companion and he doesn't want to lose Jim.
7. How does the theme of loneliness and isolation come out in these chapters?
Jim and Huck get separated in the beginning of the chapter when Huck gets lost in the canoe. The boys are also ripped apart from one another by the steamboat tearing apart the raft. Huck makes it ashore but we do not know where Jim is. Huck is again lonely and isolated.
He tells them that his family is on board and has small pox. But them men fear infection so they go away and do not even look for Jim.
3. What is the principal conflict in Huck's mind about Jim?
Huck feels bad for "stealing" Jim, because in his mind Jim belongs to Miss Watson. Huck feels conflicted because Jim is also his friend and companion and he doesn't want to lose Jim.
7. How does the theme of loneliness and isolation come out in these chapters?
Jim and Huck get separated in the beginning of the chapter when Huck gets lost in the canoe. The boys are also ripped apart from one another by the steamboat tearing apart the raft. Huck makes it ashore but we do not know where Jim is. Huck is again lonely and isolated.
Chapter 17-18
Why does Huck feel responsible for the carnage following Sophia's elopement?
Huck feels responsible because he is the one who gave Sophia the note that had the information to tell her when to run off, which caused the fighting. Huck feels like he is indirectly responsible for Buck's death.
How do both Grangerfords and Shepherdsons show religious hypocrisy?
They both disobey the commandment love your neighbor. They do not show forgiveness for whatever reason they started fighting. Also murdering is not a christian ideal.
Would you say that the Grangerfords are basically good or bad people? Why do they end up the way they do?
I say that they are good people who made a bad decision by holding a grudge for that long and having so much hatred. They are good people because they invite Huck into their home but because of their grudge they all end up getting killed.
Huck feels responsible because he is the one who gave Sophia the note that had the information to tell her when to run off, which caused the fighting. Huck feels like he is indirectly responsible for Buck's death.
How do both Grangerfords and Shepherdsons show religious hypocrisy?
They both disobey the commandment love your neighbor. They do not show forgiveness for whatever reason they started fighting. Also murdering is not a christian ideal.
Would you say that the Grangerfords are basically good or bad people? Why do they end up the way they do?
I say that they are good people who made a bad decision by holding a grudge for that long and having so much hatred. They are good people because they invite Huck into their home but because of their grudge they all end up getting killed.
Chapters 19-20
Why do you think Huck helps the duke and the king when he first meets them?
Huck is a good person, deep down. He wants to help people so people will help him. He is helping Jim and then he helped the duke and the king.
Huck knows the duke and king are frauds from the beginning why does he pretend they are the real thing?
Huck probably just wanted to avoid conflict. In a fight the two grown men would win against a young boy. Huck knows that and doesn't want to put himself in danger. Also it is better to have allies than enemies when trying to escape. If he fought with the men they could turn in Jim which would get Huck in trouble.
What is Twain suggesting by having the Duke and King pull their first "con" at a religious revival?
Twain is suggesting that the con artists have no moral code. They are not above anything because they are willing to con people at a holy event. They are very cruel because they are abusing people's charity and goodness through having them support him as a "missionary."
Huck is a good person, deep down. He wants to help people so people will help him. He is helping Jim and then he helped the duke and the king.
Huck knows the duke and king are frauds from the beginning why does he pretend they are the real thing?
Huck probably just wanted to avoid conflict. In a fight the two grown men would win against a young boy. Huck knows that and doesn't want to put himself in danger. Also it is better to have allies than enemies when trying to escape. If he fought with the men they could turn in Jim which would get Huck in trouble.
What is Twain suggesting by having the Duke and King pull their first "con" at a religious revival?
Twain is suggesting that the con artists have no moral code. They are not above anything because they are willing to con people at a holy event. They are very cruel because they are abusing people's charity and goodness through having them support him as a "missionary."
Chapters 21-24
How would you describe the town where Huck and Jim land? What are the inhabitants like?
The town is very small and the inhabitants are fairly uncivilized. There was a shooting that happened infront of many witnesses and yet there was no trial or punishment for the shooter. They are also gullible for going to the duke and king's performance.
What is Sherburn's attitude to the men trying to lynch him? What do you think Twain's attitude is?
Sherburn believes that the mob will do nothing because they really don't want to kill him and will wimp out, so Sherburn is not intimidated by the mob. I think Twain's attitude is that they should do more and they are not strong willed enough to kill him.
What connection does Huck see between the duke and king and real royalty? What do you think Twain's opinion is?
The connection Huck sees is that they are con artists and real royalty cons people too. Both make up fake identities and are not their real selves to the people. I think Twain's opinion is the same that all royalty really is are con artists who make believe they are good for the people.
The town is very small and the inhabitants are fairly uncivilized. There was a shooting that happened infront of many witnesses and yet there was no trial or punishment for the shooter. They are also gullible for going to the duke and king's performance.
What is Sherburn's attitude to the men trying to lynch him? What do you think Twain's attitude is?
Sherburn believes that the mob will do nothing because they really don't want to kill him and will wimp out, so Sherburn is not intimidated by the mob. I think Twain's attitude is that they should do more and they are not strong willed enough to kill him.
What connection does Huck see between the duke and king and real royalty? What do you think Twain's opinion is?
The connection Huck sees is that they are con artists and real royalty cons people too. Both make up fake identities and are not their real selves to the people. I think Twain's opinion is the same that all royalty really is are con artists who make believe they are good for the people.
Chapters 25-28
What makes the Wilks girls saddest about having their property sold?
What makes them most upset is that they are separating a slave family and they feel bad that they will probably never see each other again.
Why does Huck want Mary Jane to leave the house after he tells her the truth?
Huck wants her to leave so that she can avoid talking to the "uncles" because she has such an innocent face that she would give it away and show that she knows the truth.
What qualities do the Wilks girls have that allow them to be duped so easily? How does Mary Jane's response to Joanna's grilling of Huck help emphasize this?
The Wilks girls are very trusting and polite. Their good manners and beliefs of the best in people allow them to be fooled easily. Mary Jane's response to Joanna's grilling of Huck helps emphasize this because it shows that they value manners and being polite over finding out who the people truly are.
What makes them most upset is that they are separating a slave family and they feel bad that they will probably never see each other again.
Why does Huck want Mary Jane to leave the house after he tells her the truth?
Huck wants her to leave so that she can avoid talking to the "uncles" because she has such an innocent face that she would give it away and show that she knows the truth.
What qualities do the Wilks girls have that allow them to be duped so easily? How does Mary Jane's response to Joanna's grilling of Huck help emphasize this?
The Wilks girls are very trusting and polite. Their good manners and beliefs of the best in people allow them to be fooled easily. Mary Jane's response to Joanna's grilling of Huck helps emphasize this because it shows that they value manners and being polite over finding out who the people truly are.
Chapters 29-31
What darkly comic elements does Twain use in Chapter 29?
The darkness comes in the discussion of the corpse and the discussion and then execution in the digging up of the corpse. The comic elements is that they are joking and almost doing this as a game .
How do the Duke and King behave towards each other in these chapters? How would you compare this with their behavior in earlier chapters?
The Duke and King start to fight due to the pressure of the scam. This previously well run team seems to be starting to fall apart with the fighting amongst them which was not present in previous chapters.
Why does Huck decide to "go to hell?"
Huck decides he needs to save Jim even if it means going to hell. He believes that by saving Jim he is stealing and therefore will have to face damnation. Although in today's society what Huck is doing is viewed as the correct thing, back then he was stealing Jim who is still considered to be Miss Watson's property.
The darkness comes in the discussion of the corpse and the discussion and then execution in the digging up of the corpse. The comic elements is that they are joking and almost doing this as a game .
How do the Duke and King behave towards each other in these chapters? How would you compare this with their behavior in earlier chapters?
The Duke and King start to fight due to the pressure of the scam. This previously well run team seems to be starting to fall apart with the fighting amongst them which was not present in previous chapters.
Why does Huck decide to "go to hell?"
Huck decides he needs to save Jim even if it means going to hell. He believes that by saving Jim he is stealing and therefore will have to face damnation. Although in today's society what Huck is doing is viewed as the correct thing, back then he was stealing Jim who is still considered to be Miss Watson's property.
Chapters 32-34
How does Twain use irony in the discussion between Huck and Mrs. Phelps about the steamboat accident that Huck makes up?
Twain uses irony in the discussion because Huck says that no one was injured but a black man was killed and Mrs. Phelps responds that it is lucky. That situation is not lucky because someone died, although back then he wasn't even considered a person.
Why is the title the "The pitiful ending of royalty" significant to chapter 33?
In the end of chapter 33, Huck and Tom see the duke and king after being tarred and feathered running through the streets. The pitiful ending of royalty is significant because it shows the ending of the con men's scam as a duke and king, and being tarred and feathered is very pitiful and embarrassing.
How does Twain add complications to the plot by having the boys accept Tom's plan rather than Huck's?
Huck's plan is very straightforward and probably the best and most efficient way to rescue Jim, while Tom's has many twists and turns. With the complicated nature of Tom's plan, there is bound to be places for the plan to be messed up, which from Twain's view creates a more interesting plot for the reader.
Twain uses irony in the discussion because Huck says that no one was injured but a black man was killed and Mrs. Phelps responds that it is lucky. That situation is not lucky because someone died, although back then he wasn't even considered a person.
Why is the title the "The pitiful ending of royalty" significant to chapter 33?
In the end of chapter 33, Huck and Tom see the duke and king after being tarred and feathered running through the streets. The pitiful ending of royalty is significant because it shows the ending of the con men's scam as a duke and king, and being tarred and feathered is very pitiful and embarrassing.
How does Twain add complications to the plot by having the boys accept Tom's plan rather than Huck's?
Huck's plan is very straightforward and probably the best and most efficient way to rescue Jim, while Tom's has many twists and turns. With the complicated nature of Tom's plan, there is bound to be places for the plan to be messed up, which from Twain's view creates a more interesting plot for the reader.
Chapters 35-38
Explain Jim's willingness to go along with Tom's foolishness.
Jim is willing to do anything to get him out, and just giving in to Tom is the best way. Even though the plan is complicated, it would be even harder to execute if Jim resisted and argued with Tom. Tom's foolishness isn't going to hurt anything and if it eventually gets Jim out, it's worth it.
What evidence does this chapter provide that this is little more than a game to Tom?
This escape plan is little more than a game to Tom because he is doing all these foolish things that he has read in story books. He doesn't realize the gravity of the situation and how Jim's life depends on this.
What is significant about Tom not wanting to have a snake in the cell with him?
It goes back to the superstition nature of the characters and how earlier in the book, the rattlesnake caused bad luck. Also, he might just be scared of snakes which would be ironic because he was willing to cut off Jim's leg but he is still a child and scared of snakes.
Jim is willing to do anything to get him out, and just giving in to Tom is the best way. Even though the plan is complicated, it would be even harder to execute if Jim resisted and argued with Tom. Tom's foolishness isn't going to hurt anything and if it eventually gets Jim out, it's worth it.
What evidence does this chapter provide that this is little more than a game to Tom?
This escape plan is little more than a game to Tom because he is doing all these foolish things that he has read in story books. He doesn't realize the gravity of the situation and how Jim's life depends on this.
What is significant about Tom not wanting to have a snake in the cell with him?
It goes back to the superstition nature of the characters and how earlier in the book, the rattlesnake caused bad luck. Also, he might just be scared of snakes which would be ironic because he was willing to cut off Jim's leg but he is still a child and scared of snakes.
Chapters 39-40
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."
The irony in this statement comes from the fact that Tom was glad that he got shot when normally this is a tragic event that would make someone anything but happy. Tom is excited because he now has a battle wound and doesn't understand how grave of a situation this is.
How has the entire episode of attempting to free Jim contributed to Twain's theme of moral ambiguity?
Through out the time freeing Jim, you wonder if Tom is doing this for the correct reasons. Also his plan shows that he doesn't care if he does more wrong to be able to do something right. He steals from the Phelps' which is wrong, but he is doing it to help Jim, which is right. You are not really sure if Tom is a good or a bad person.
What effect does the last warning letter have on the Phelpses?
It really freaks them out and they are very scared. This reaction causes them to get a large group of people to come and help defend their land, which they wouldn't do if they were not sure that this is a very serious threat.
The irony in this statement comes from the fact that Tom was glad that he got shot when normally this is a tragic event that would make someone anything but happy. Tom is excited because he now has a battle wound and doesn't understand how grave of a situation this is.
How has the entire episode of attempting to free Jim contributed to Twain's theme of moral ambiguity?
Through out the time freeing Jim, you wonder if Tom is doing this for the correct reasons. Also his plan shows that he doesn't care if he does more wrong to be able to do something right. He steals from the Phelps' which is wrong, but he is doing it to help Jim, which is right. You are not really sure if Tom is a good or a bad person.
What effect does the last warning letter have on the Phelpses?
It really freaks them out and they are very scared. This reaction causes them to get a large group of people to come and help defend their land, which they wouldn't do if they were not sure that this is a very serious threat.
Chapter 41-43
In Chapter 42, how does Twain explain Tom's earlier willingness to aid in Jim's escape?
Because Miss Watson is dead Tom does not feel bad for helping Jim escape, because he is technically already free. Which he unfortunately does not tell Huck or Jim which would save them a lot of time and energy.
How does Tom's revealed knowledge of Miss Watson's will complete the theme of moral ambiguity?
In the beginning of the novel Miss Watson appears to be a bad character wanting to sell Jim. But with the reveal of her will, the reader is shown that you really did not know the moral standard of Miss Watson the whole time because she frees Jim and regreted even thinking about selling him.
Why did Jim keep the dead man's identity a secret from Huck?
In a normal father son relationship, it would be very upsetting for a son to find his dead father. This is probably where Jim was coming from when he did not tell Huck. But because the relationship with his father is strained, Huck would've been happy to see Pap dead and would've liked to be told.
Because Miss Watson is dead Tom does not feel bad for helping Jim escape, because he is technically already free. Which he unfortunately does not tell Huck or Jim which would save them a lot of time and energy.
How does Tom's revealed knowledge of Miss Watson's will complete the theme of moral ambiguity?
In the beginning of the novel Miss Watson appears to be a bad character wanting to sell Jim. But with the reveal of her will, the reader is shown that you really did not know the moral standard of Miss Watson the whole time because she frees Jim and regreted even thinking about selling him.
Why did Jim keep the dead man's identity a secret from Huck?
In a normal father son relationship, it would be very upsetting for a son to find his dead father. This is probably where Jim was coming from when he did not tell Huck. But because the relationship with his father is strained, Huck would've been happy to see Pap dead and would've liked to be told.