Huck Discussion Questions XXI-XXXV

Huck Discussion Questions: XXI - XXI

1. Through the Grangerford episode, Twain was able to criticize the myth of Southern honor. What myth of Southern life does Twain satirize in the Sherburn/Boggs incident (which, by the way, was based on a true incident)? What aspect of human nature does Twain satirize through the scene in the drugstore? Compare the circus with the entertainment supplied by the duke and king? 

Twain is making fun of southern honor, and how people were so obsessed with having honor that they were willing to kill for it. Twain is mocking how people love seeing terrible things in the drugstore scene. The circus is quality entertainment at a decent price, while the duke and the king’s productions are overpriced and a scam. The difference between the two is that one was created to bring people joy, while the other was created to make the duke and king money.

2. What does Huck's reaction to the circus incident tell us about him? Whom does he think was most deceived? 

Huck doesn’t get most jokes, the drunk man in the circus being one of them. This shows that he is not a very reliable narrator. He thought the ringmaster was the most deceived.

3. What is Twain implying about human nature through the advertising for the "Royal Nonesuch"? 

By making the show so that women and children aren’t permitted, The interest is raised for the men. Twain is implying that people are captivated by inappropriate things, and are more likely to go see something provocative instead of something more mild, like a circus.

4. "What was the use to tell Jim these warn't real kings and dukes? It wouldn't a done no good; and besides, it was just as I said; you couldn't tell them from the real kind." (117). What does Twain imply? 

Twain is making a joke about royalty, and how sleazy they are.

5. What is significant about the story of 'Lizabeth? 

In this story, Jim beats his daughter, then realizes she is deaf. He feels guilty, and misses her dearly. This is significant because it shows how Jim is a human with a family and has feelings.

Huck Discussion Questions XXIV - XXVII

1. As we have discussed, clothes can play a symbolic or thematic role in the novel. Huck even says that he "never knowed how clothes could change a body before." Discuss the thematic role of clothes in these chapters.

Twain speaks of clothes very often in his novel. Clothes represent the restriction of society, whilst nakedness is equal to freedom.

2. Comment on the last paragraph of Chapter XXIV. Make a connection to Twain's description of the Arkansas town. Why is Huck's response to the Peter Wilks incident so strong? Why does Huck make moral evaluations now (you'll recall that he remained morally neutral concerning the prior schemes of the duke and king)?

Huck is beginning to develop basic morals, and is becoming more human. Huck feels bad about the duke and the king scamming the girls and pretending to be the brothers of the dead man. Huck realizes these are lovely girls who don’t deserve to be played like this and is thusly very against this scheme.

3. What qualities do the Wilks girls have that allow them to be fooled so easily?

The Wilks girls were very trusting and kind, and believed everyone was always honest to them.

4. Why is it significant that Joanna eats in the kitchen? What is the significance of her nickname? What themes are revealed?
She is disabled so she is forced to eat in the kitchen. Huck calls her harelip, which is basically naming her by her disability. This shows that in this time period, prejudice is a very common part of their lives.

5. What statement about the behavior of people does Twain make through the Dr. Robinson incident?Tom and Huck saw Dr. Robinson get murdered. They let the blame fall of Muff Potter, not Injun Joe. This shows that people are cowards and will only stand up for others if it benefits themselves.

6. Previously Huck has refused to hinder the antics of the king and duke. Now he attempts to foil their scheme. Why? What theme(s) from the novel can you apply to Huck's change in attitude?
Huck has realized that these girls were actual people with feelings, and were kind ladies who didn’t deserve to be deceived. This shows Huck is developing as a character and becoming more human and understanding. The theme of “the concept of family” is apparent in these chapters. The close-knit family is something Huck has always been lacking in, and the girls make him feel like he belongs.

Huck Questions XXVIII - XXX

1. Twain was heavily criticized for bad taste due to his description of the funeral toward the end of Chapter XXVII. Why do you think he was criticized, and do you think the criticism justified?

Funerals have always been a solemn and respectful environment. I found the killing of the barking dog quite humorous, although I can see where he would be criticized. People have a tendency to take things too seriously, funerals included. Anything besides the black, religion-focused norm and you’re suddenly a terrible person. I’ve always thought funerals were a bit too serious, and I liked how Twain tweaked what would have been a boring part of the plot.

2. On page 141 Huck says, ". . . here's a case where I'm blest if it don't look to me like the truth is better, and actuly safer, than a lie." Explain.

Huck tells Mary about the duke and the king’s schemes because he doesn’t think she deserves another person lying to her.

3. In these three chapters Huck finds himself having to lie for various reasons. How do his motives differ?
His previous lies were focused around saving himself, whilst his currently unearthed emotions have made him reanalyze the people around him. Now he is lying to protect people and prevent the lies of others from hurting the people he cares about.

4. Why doesn't Twain involve Jim more in these chapters?

Jim couldn’t really be involved in these chapters because he is a blue Arab at the moment. Plus, Jim is still seen as a wanted man and it would be too risky for him to do much of anything, especially when Huck and the duke and the king are tangled in so many lies.

5. Does Huck's escape from Hines say anything about Hines' character?             

Hines’ obsession with the gold shows the corrupt and greedy nature of society. Hines no longer cares about the imposters or their “servant,” but more about the idea of riches.

6. How does Huck feel about Mary Jane? Why does Huck tell her to go away? Significance?

Huck trusts Mary Jane and cares about her. He tells her to go away because he wants time to come up with a plan to fix things.

7. Discuss the significance of Huck's statement, ". . . anybody but a lot of prejudiced chuckleheads would a seen that the old gentlemen was spinning truth and t'other one lies."
Huck is surprised that no one has caught onto the duke and the king’s lies. Unfortunately, the family was so enraptured with the unknown uncles coming to town that they’ll believe anything they’re told.

8. What does the doctor represent?

The doctor is a strong dosage of realism in a romanticized world. He has a logical reason to doubt the king and the duke, yet everyone is so in love with the two men that no one listens to the doctor.

9. By the end of Chapter XXX, do you think Twain vindicates the characters of the duke and king or does he have them remain as villains? Explain.

Twain continues to have the duke and the king remain as villains. They are a sharp contrast to the relatively honest nature of Huck, and teach the boy that these men are bad.

Huck Discussion Questions XXXI - XXXV

1. Would you say that Chapter 31 represents the climax of the novel? Why or why not?
I’d say so. Huck finally determines what he wants and where he’s going. He decides to set himself down a path of unholiness because he believes it is the right thing to do. He decides his friend is more important than a free ride to heaven, and is freed by this.

2. Huck says, "All right, then, I'll go to hell." Explain the irony in that statement. 

This line is the climax of the story. Huck is accepting his eventual descent into hell for the sake of his friend. Earlier in the story, Huck had spoken about how he’d rather go to heaven then hell because he would be with Tom Sawyer. This idea of Huck and hell is reoccurring throughout the novel.

3. Discuss the symbolism of the imagery at the beginning of Chapter 32.

The imagery is calm and peaceful, very similar to what Huck is used to. This is important because Tom Sawyer shows up and Tom is very familiar to Huck.

4. Discuss Huck's understanding of Providence (215)? Would Miss Watson agree?
Huck credits Providence for his wits. Miss Watson would disagree because he is doing wrong and would go straight to hell.

5. How does Twain use irony in the discussion between Huck and Mrs. Phelps about the "steamboat accident."
Mrs. Phelps asks if anyone was hurt, and Huck says only a black person had died. Mrs. Phelps’ relief after hearing this was ironic because at the time, a black person was nothing more than property. She wasn’t upset because slaves are more like a renewable resource than an actual human being.

6. One of the recurring themes becomes apparent when Huck discovers that the Phelps are expecting Tom Sawyer. Which theme comes to mind and why?
I’d go with Romanticism vs. Reality in this situation. The idea that Tom would be going to this very plantation was highly improbable, and it would almost certainly never happen in real life. This is tapping into Twain’s hatred for romantic literature. Tom is a symbol for adventure-loving romanticists, which is why I absolutely loathe the boy.

7. Huck and Tom both agree to help Jim escape; however, their motives are different. Explain.

Huck wants to save his friend, while Tom wanted the adventure. Tom doesn’t understand that this mission is incredibly dangerous, and thinks of it as a game of sorts. Huck has experienced the danger firsthand, and is being incredibly kind by trying to help free his friend.

8. "...and as they went by I see they had the king and duke astraddle of a rail - that is, I knowed it WAS the king and the duke, though they was all over tar and feathers. ...Well it made me sick to see it; and I was sorry for them poor pitiful rascals. ...Human beings CAN be cruel to one another" (225). Comment. What does this reveal about Huck's character? 
In this, the king and the duke are being tarred and feathered as punishment for their deceptiveness. Huck feels bad for the men, even though they haven’t ever done anything for him. This shows that Huck is becoming more sympathetic and kind towards people, even if they don’t deserve it. At the beginning of the novel, he would have been laughing with the rest of the townspeople.

9. Discuss the irony in Tom's reaction to the stealing of the watermelon.
Tom has never actually stolen anything because he always left money to pay for what he “stole.” Tom’s reaction shows how he was a product of society, and is not like the rebellious nature of Tom’s character that Huck has wanted to be. It taps into the meaning of family theme. Since Jim is now the property of Tom’s relatives, Tom thinks it’s alright to steal Jim.

10. Why does Huck let Tom take control?
Huck knows Tom is very stylistic, and has mentioned his longing for Tom’s complicated plans many times in earlier chapters. Tom wants control of things for his on enjoyment, and Huck decides it’s easier to let Tom have his way.