Response and Research Paper #4
Novel Critique – The Adventures of Hucklberry Finn
Due Online by Jan. 6, 2009
Jason Shepard
Choose one of the following and write a five paragraph essay. Be sure to write the number of your
selection at the beginning of your essay.
1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered a classic. Oftentimes, the definition of a classic
is “a work that withstands the test of time.” Classics also are usually entertaining and have central
themes that embody an important idea that is applicable to all people at all times of history. Should
Huck Finn be considered a classic? What aspects of the novel have withstood the test of time, and
what aspects are particularly dated? Use specific references from the novel to support your ideas.
2. Write an essay about Huck’s views on slavery. Does Huck come to condemn slavery as a whole or
just to stand up for his friend? Note that Huck is a 14-year-old poor, white, southern boy who has
very little education and who has been told all his life by those older and (he thinks) smarter and
more moral than he that slavery is right, even sanctioned by the Bible, and that the white race is
superior. Is it realistic that he should suddenly become an abolitionist? Is it realistic that in a few
months he should come to alter his views of race and slavery? Be sure to cite examples from the
book that show how Huck struggles with his view.
3. One important theme in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the struggle between good and
evil. This is seen through Huck’s struggle with his own conscience versus the rules of society. Using
this theme of good vs. evil (conscience vs. society), write an essay in which you examine one or
more of the following aspects of the novel:
 Huck’s character development from the beginning to the end of the novel, including
the ways in which Huck demonstrates his independence, loyalty, decency and
friendship;
 The qualities of the society Huck encounters including hypocrisy, illiteracy, violence,
respectability, prejudice and complacency; (for example, the Duke and the King, the
Shepherdsons and Grangerfords);
 The concepts of escape and freedom within the book, and the ways in which those
concepts are symbolized;
 The significance of the first person narrative within the novel and the ways in which
Twain expresses his own feelings and opinions through this narrative.
4. Is or isn’t The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn a racist novel? In coming your conclusion, consider
the following questions (you do not have to address all of these in your final essay): Does reading
Huck Finn help or hurt the understanding of racism? You might recall the case of Kathy Monteiro
and her complaint to the Tempe, Arizona, school board, as show in the “Born to Trouble:
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” film we watched at our first face-to-face meeting. Do you agree or
disagree with her? Due to Twain’s use of the word “nigger” and his overall presentation of slavery,
many schools have removed this novel from required reading lists. Should Huck Finn be taught in
schools? If not, why not? If so, at which grade levels? Do you find any aspects of Huck Finn
offensive? What is the value of teaching this book? The core controversy about Huck Finn seems to
center on the subject of race. Is Huck Finn a racist text, or is it an indictment of slavery? Does the
text deal with any themes that are not related to race? How do you interpret Twain’s portrayal of
Jim and other slaves?
I be using the following criteria to grade your essay
Addresses all elements of the question
Is organized with an intro, middle and conclusion
Each paragraph addresses one key topic
Cites relevant examples from the novel
Writing is lively and there is a clear voice
Has no errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation
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