The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures ofThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Huckleberry Finn

By By Mark Mark TwaiTwai

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Real name was Samuel Langhorne Real name was Samuel Langhorne ClemensClemens

Born November 30,1835, the night Born November 30,1835, the night Halley’s Comet flashed across the Halley’s Comet flashed across the skysky

Halley’s comet is the only comet Halley’s comet is the only comet visible to the naked eyevisible to the naked eye

Appears about every 75 yearsAppears about every 75 years Grew up along the Mississippi RiverGrew up along the Mississippi River Quit school at age 12Quit school at age 12 Died on April 21, 1910, as Halley’s Died on April 21, 1910, as Halley’s

comet again flashed through the skycomet again flashed through the sky

TWAIN’S WORKSTWAIN’S WORKS

Travel books (non-fiction)Travel books (non-fiction)

Historic novels Historic novels

Short stories/ essaysShort stories/ essays

Innocents Abroad

Life on the Mississippi

The Prince and the Pauper

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur´s Court

“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras Country” story

“The Lowest Animal” - essay

Before Before The Adventures of The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn

The The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnAdventures of Huckleberry Finn was was written after written after The Adventures of Tom The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.Sawyer.

At the end of At the end of Tom SawyerTom Sawyer, Huckleberry , Huckleberry Finn, a poor boy with a drunken father, and Finn, a poor boy with a drunken father, and his friend Tom Sawyer, a middle-class boy his friend Tom Sawyer, a middle-class boy with an imagination too active for his own with an imagination too active for his own good, found a robber's stash of gold. good, found a robber's stash of gold.

As a result of his adventure, Huck gained As a result of his adventure, Huck gained quite a bit of money, which the bank held for quite a bit of money, which the bank held for him in trust. Huck was taken in by the him in trust. Huck was taken in by the Widow Douglas, a kind but stifling woman Widow Douglas, a kind but stifling woman who lives with her sister, the self-righteous who lives with her sister, the self-righteous Miss WatsonMiss Watson..

Key FactsKey Facts GenreGenre

Satiric Novel (Fiction)Satiric Novel (Fiction)• A work that uses humor, irony, andA work that uses humor, irony, and

extreme exaggeration to ridicule society in extreme exaggeration to ridicule society in

order to bring about changeorder to bring about change

Narrator & Protagonist Narrator & Protagonist Huck Finn: Huck Finn: literal, realistic, practicalliteral, realistic, practical

SettingSetting TimeTime

• Before the Civil War; roughly 1835–1845 Before the Civil War; roughly 1835–1845 PlacePlace

• The Mississippi River town of St. Petersburg, Missouri The Mississippi River town of St. Petersburg, Missouri • The adventure continues down the Mississippi into ArkansasThe adventure continues down the Mississippi into Arkansas

The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Background: Background

When Twain wrote the novel, in the 1880s, the Civil War had been fought and the slaves had been freed.

However, conditions for African Americans were still very difficult in many parts of the United States.

What do you do when you’re torn between what people want for you—or from you—and what you want for yourself?

The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Introduction: Introduction


Huckleberry Finn lives in Missouri before the Civil War, near the Mississippi River.

Huck is young and uneducated.

With an alcoholic and unreliable father, he has grown up mostly on his own.

Not long before the novel begins, however, Huck has been taken to live with the Widow Douglas and her sister.


But Huck thinks life with the two sisters is too civilized.


He prefers living in the open and having adventures with his friend Tom Sawyer.


On one of their adventures, the two boys found a lot of money in a cave (described in the novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer).

Huck and Tom like to plan great adventures and play pranks on people.


Pap wants Huck’s money—and kidnaps him to get it.

One day, Huck’s father, Pap, returns to town.

After a miserable time with his father, Huck escapes.


While he is running away, he meets Jim—a slave of Widow Douglas’s sister—who has escaped too.


The two set off together on a raft on the Mississippi River—and on one of the most famous journeys in American literature.

• Will Huck be able to find freedom—or will civilization catch up to him?

• Should Huck help Jim or send him back to slavery?

• What adventures will they find on the river?

ThemesThemesMark Twain described the major theme of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as

“A sound heart and a deformed conscience come into collision, and conscience suffers defeat.”

•“A sound heart” = a good, honest heart.

•“A deformed conscience” = a conscience influenced by the laws of society and a sense of duty toward those laws.

Themes: Themes: What does Twain teach us What does Twain teach us about each idea?about each idea?

Racism & SlaveryRacism & Slavery

Intellectual and Moral Intellectual and Moral EducationEducation

The Hypocrisy of The Hypocrisy of “Civilized” Society“Civilized” Society

Racism & SlaveryRacism & Slavery Although written 20 years after the Although written 20 years after the

Emancipation Proclamation, Emancipation Proclamation, America – especially the South – America – especially the South – was still struggling with racism and was still struggling with racism and the aftereffects of slavery.the aftereffects of slavery.

Insidious racism arose near the Insidious racism arose near the end of Reconstruction that end of Reconstruction that oppressed blacks for illogical and oppressed blacks for illogical and hypocritical reasons.hypocritical reasons.

Twain exposes the hypocrisy of Twain exposes the hypocrisy of slavery and demonstrates how slavery and demonstrates how racism distorts the oppressors as racism distorts the oppressors as much as the oppressed.much as the oppressed.

The result is a world of moral The result is a world of moral confusion.confusion.

Twain’s View on SlaveryTwain’s View on Slavery As a schoolboy, Twain As a schoolboy, Twain

had no aversion to had no aversion to slaveryslavery

He was not aware He was not aware there was anything there was anything wrong with itwrong with it

The papers said The papers said nothing against itnothing against it

Churches taught that Churches taught that God approved itGod approved it

He took a strong liking He took a strong liking to blacks when they to blacks when they worked on his family’s worked on his family’s farmfarm

He and his family were He and his family were friends with many friends with many blacks in his home blacks in his home town of Hannibaltown of Hannibal

Twain’s family owned Twain’s family owned a slave that he deeply a slave that he deeply admiredadmired

Twain called him Twain called him “Uncle Dan’l”“Uncle Dan’l”

The character of Jim in The character of Jim in Huck Finn is said to be Huck Finn is said to be modeled after this manmodeled after this man

He is also mentioned He is also mentioned in several other Twain in several other Twain stories under his real stories under his real namename

Intellectual and Moral EducationIntellectual and Moral Education

Huck is an uneducated boy.Huck is an uneducated boy. He distrusts the morals and He distrusts the morals and

precepts of the society that precepts of the society that treats him as an outcast and treats him as an outcast and fails to protect him from abuse.fails to protect him from abuse.

Huck questions his teachings, Huck questions his teachings, especially regarding race and especially regarding race and slavery.slavery.

In many instances, Huck In many instances, Huck chooses to “go to hell” rather chooses to “go to hell” rather than go along with the rules of than go along with the rules of society.society.

The Hypocrisy of The Hypocrisy of “Civilized” Society“Civilized” Society

““Civilized” to Huck means . . .Civilized” to Huck means . . . Regular baths, uncomfortable clothesRegular baths, uncomfortable clothes Mandatory school attendanceMandatory school attendance Degraded rules that defy logicDegraded rules that defy logic

• Huck’s drunkard, abusive father gets to keep Huck’s drunkard, abusive father gets to keep custody of Huck because he is his natural fathercustody of Huck because he is his natural father

• The injustice of slavery that keeps Jim from his The injustice of slavery that keeps Jim from his familyfamily

• Seemingly good people are prejudiced slave-Seemingly good people are prejudiced slave-ownersowners

• Terrible acts go unpunished, while lesser crimes Terrible acts go unpunished, while lesser crimes lead to severe punishmentlead to severe punishment

LanguageLanguage The The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is told from the first person point of is told from the first person point of

view an only-partly-educated thirteen-year-old southern boy in the 1830s or view an only-partly-educated thirteen-year-old southern boy in the 1830s or 40s. 40s.

As narrator, Huck describes the story in his natural, everyday voice, and he As narrator, Huck describes the story in his natural, everyday voice, and he addresses his readers directly during his storytelling with a friendly, trusting addresses his readers directly during his storytelling with a friendly, trusting attitude. attitude.

Taking that into consideration – along with Huck’s age, education level, and Taking that into consideration – along with Huck’s age, education level, and social background – Twain’s choice of a colloquial style makes perfect social background – Twain’s choice of a colloquial style makes perfect sense.sense.

Example-”I didn’t want to go back no more. I had stopped cussing, because Example-”I didn’t want to go back no more. I had stopped cussing, because the widow didn’t like it; but now I took to it again because pap hadn’t no the widow didn’t like it; but now I took to it again because pap hadn’t no objections.”objections.”

The grammar isn’t perfect, and clearly Twain writes the way Huck Finn talks The grammar isn’t perfect, and clearly Twain writes the way Huck Finn talks (hence all the apostrophes subbing for unpronounced letters). It’s also (hence all the apostrophes subbing for unpronounced letters). It’s also important to note that Huck’s voice – as well as the era and the location in important to note that Huck’s voice – as well as the era and the location in which the novel is set – is why the n-word pops up so often.which the novel is set – is why the n-word pops up so often.

DialectDialect

Dialect plays an important role in Realistic Dialect plays an important role in Realistic Literature, and Mark Twain’s heavy emphasis on Literature, and Mark Twain’s heavy emphasis on dialect makes him one of the most famous authors dialect makes him one of the most famous authors of the genre.of the genre.

People in the South speak English with an accent People in the South speak English with an accent that is distinct to that region of the United States. that is distinct to that region of the United States.

However, it isn't just an accent that makes Southern However, it isn't just an accent that makes Southern English different; Southerners speak a English different; Southerners speak a DIALECT of DIALECT of English. English.

A "dialect" is a form of a language that has its A "dialect" is a form of a language that has its own rules and vocabulary.own rules and vocabulary.

MotifsMotifs Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or

literary devices that can help to develop and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.inform the text’s major themes.

ChildhoodChildhood• Huck’s youth is an important factor in his moral Huck’s youth is an important factor in his moral

education; only a child is open-minded enough to education; only a child is open-minded enough to undergo the kind of development that Huck does.undergo the kind of development that Huck does.

Lies and ConsLies and Cons• Huckleberry Finn is full of malicious lies and Huckleberry Finn is full of malicious lies and

scams; the lies are bad and hurt a number of scams; the lies are bad and hurt a number of innocent people.innocent people.

Superstitions and Folk BeliefsSuperstitions and Folk Beliefs• Jim believes in a wide range of superstitions and Jim believes in a wide range of superstitions and

folktales; although Huck is reluctant to believe at folktales; although Huck is reluctant to believe at first, many of the beliefs indeed have some basis first, many of the beliefs indeed have some basis in reality.in reality.

Parodies of Popular Romance NovelsParodies of Popular Romance Novels• The story is full of people who base their lives on The story is full of people who base their lives on

romantic literary models and stereotypes of romantic literary models and stereotypes of various kindsvarious kinds

Tom Sawyer, for example, bases his life and Tom Sawyer, for example, bases his life and actions on adventure novelsactions on adventure novels

Major Conflict: Huck’s struggle with his Major Conflict: Huck’s struggle with his “deformed conscience.”“deformed conscience.”

This is an INTERNAL CONFLICT Person vs. Self (Huck vs. Himself)

Along the way, we will also encounter many EXTERNAL CONFLICTS Person vs. Person (Huck vs. Pap) Person vs. Nature (Huck vs. Nature) Person vs. Society (Huck vs.

Racism/Society)

ConflictConflict

In Huck Finn, the river symbolizes freedom, and it becomes symbolic of Huck’s journey to discover his natural virtue. The current determines the direction of the raft as well as Huck’s life.

There is a major contrast between life on the river and life on the shore because life on the river (uncivilized) is peaceful and easy, yet not totally without danger; however, life on the shore (civilized) can be cruel, authoritarian, hypocritical, and reflective of what Twain called the “Damned Human Race.”

Life on the raft is paradoxical. Even though they are confined to a small space on the raft, Huck and Jim experience greater freedom on the raft.

Major Symbol: The Mississippi River

Critics’ CommentsCritics’ Comments

The Adventures of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Huckleberry Finn has been has been a controversial book since it a controversial book since it was first published in 1885 was first published in 1885 – mostly because of its – mostly because of its inappropriate language and inappropriate language and racial slurs.racial slurs.

18841884

Written by William E. Henley of Written by William E. Henley of the the AthenaeumAthenaeum

““In In Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn Twain returns Twain returns to his right mind”to his right mind”

““The book is Mark Twain at his The book is Mark Twain at his best”best”

““It is meant for boys”It is meant for boys” ““Huckleberry . . . is the hero of Huckleberry . . . is the hero of

such scrapes and experiences as such scrapes and experiences as to make your mouth water”to make your mouth water”

““Jim and Huckleberry are real Jim and Huckleberry are real creations”creations”

18851885 Statements made by the Statements made by the

Concord Library Committee after Concord Library Committee after they excluded the book for the they excluded the book for the public library public library

““absolutely immoral in its tone”absolutely immoral in its tone” ““very little humor”very little humor” ““If not for the author’s reputation, If not for the author’s reputation,

the book would undoubtedly meet the book would undoubtedly meet with severe criticism.”with severe criticism.”

““the veriest trash”the veriest trash” ““a low grade of morality”a low grade of morality” ““language of a rough, ignorant language of a rough, ignorant

dialect”dialect” ““systematic use of bad grammar systematic use of bad grammar

and an employment of rough, and an employment of rough, inelegant expressions.”inelegant expressions.”

19921992 Comments by John H. Wallace of Comments by John H. Wallace of

The Washington PostThe Washington Post ““Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn uses the pejorative uses the pejorative

[insulting] term [insulting] term nigger nigger profusely.”profusely.” ““It speaks of black Americans with It speaks of black Americans with

implications that they are not honest, implications that they are not honest, they are not intelligent as whites, and they are not intelligent as whites, and they are not human.”they are not human.”

““It constitutes mental cruelty, It constitutes mental cruelty, harassment, and outright racial harassment, and outright racial intimidation to force black students to intimidation to force black students to sit in a classroom to read this kind of sit in a classroom to read this kind of literature . . .”literature . . .”

19921992 Written by Clarence Page of the Written by Clarence Page of the Des Des

Moines RegisterMoines Register ““Huckleberry Finn may have been Huckleberry Finn may have been

black . . . No, not Huck himself, black . . . No, not Huck himself, but his voice.”but his voice.”

““The news that ol’ Huck might The news that ol’ Huck might have been a soul brother is ironic have been a soul brother is ironic considering how many blacks considering how many blacks have tried to keep Huckleberry have tried to keep Huckleberry Finn out of the hands of school Finn out of the hands of school children every year, despite its children every year, despite its strong anti-slavery, pro-strong anti-slavery, pro-brotherhood message, because it brotherhood message, because it happens to mention the word happens to mention the word ‘nigger’ about 200 times.‘nigger’ about 200 times.

““Twain exposed the lunacy and Twain exposed the lunacy and hypocrisy of American racism by hypocrisy of American racism by showing it through the eyes of a showing it through the eyes of a boy who finds himself . . . helping boy who finds himself . . . helping a slave to escape.”a slave to escape.”

“ “I , too, flinched when I heard my I , too, flinched when I heard my white teacher reading the word white teacher reading the word ‘nigger’ aloud when she ‘nigger’ aloud when she introduced our ninth grade class introduced our ninth grade class to the book. But I soon found to the book. But I soon found myself reading it on my own, at myself reading it on my own, at first out of curiosity, then out of first out of curiosity, then out of sheer pleasure.”sheer pleasure.”


Today, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remains controversial.

Although it’s accepted as a classic of American literature, some critics still accuse it of being racist, and its use in schools has been challenged.


Twain does use terms now considered racist.

However, he creates a powerful argument against slavery as well.

Also, in a way perhaps surprising for the time, he allows Jim to speak for himself, revealing truths that even Twain may have found uncomfortable.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

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