Huckarrific

Today we took a reading check quiz on the first half of Huck Finn. Sadly it looks like several people did not complete the reading again, although it was significantly better than TOTS. Please make sure you get caught up. It isn't very enjoyable to discuss a book you haven't read. I attempted to just give a few ideas about the novel but of course barely even touched on everything I wanted to say. So
here are some general notes to think about in regards to the novel. This would also be some good stuff to discuss Wednesday.
Violence—very graphic images, Tom’s games, feud, Boggs, Huck’s beatings (7 deaths by first half)
Religion hypocrisy—slave owners, praying, killing neighbors,
Romantic ideals—Tom’s schemes, Huck mimics with realism (fake death, robbers, feud, fake identity, prison break)
Education—Tom (imagination, formal) versus Huck (logic, street)
Portrayal of Jim—superstitious, takes care of Huck, loyal, logical (hairball, king solermun, French)
Power issues between Huck and Jim, does Huck care for Jim? (he seems to forget about him a lot)
Alcoholism—how many times does it show up
Portrayal of women—clever, discover Huck’s lies
Signs of Huck maturing—scene with Buck (p. 116), decision about Jim
Reliable narrator?—13 year old boy
Symbolism of the river
What is Twain’s purpose in writing this novel? Remember it was published in 1898
Role of identity—King and the Duke, Huck’s constant changes
Portrayal of slavery—is it realistic, romanticized?
Why would this book be banned? Are the reasons different in 1900 vs. 2000?


Ending—dues ex machine, cyclical, Bildingsroman

Key Passages
P. 35 Huck’s dad and voting
p. 91-92 Jim buying his family back and Huck’s guilt

Upcoming: Two questions for discussion on Wednesday.
TOTS Paper two copies due Friday--make sure your thesis answers the "so what" questions