The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn...Formal Essay Topic Choices
After reading the novel, your “final exam” will involve writing a formal, typed essay in which you
analyze some aspect of the book. Below are a number of different choices. However, you are
welcome to come up with your own topic, but please see me for approval before you begin writing.
Reflect on our in class grammar and writing clarity work when fine-tuning your writing.
Essay Requirements to Consider When Choosing Your Topic:
 Appropriate length for analysis, including an appropriate introduction and conclusion
o MOST of these will be five paragraph essays!
 Focus should be on analysis, not recapping plot!
 A minimum of three quotes from Huckleberry Finn used effectively to support your analysis
 At least one outside resource that you use directly within your essay to add to your own
analysis. This means you should quote/paraphrase/summarize this outside source in your
paper; each of these deserves in-text citations!
 Proper MLA Format used throughout paper
 Proper MLA citation of quotes and the outside resource with in-text, parenthetical citations
 Proper Works Cited page – MLA Format
1. Is Huck Finn a transcendentalist? Are there any aspects of transcendentalism found in the
novel? Analyze the transcendental qualities of the novel, using specific examples from our
study of transcendentalism and the book. Weave specific quotes from transcendentalist
literature/poetry into your essay (Emerson, Thoreau, and/or Fuller).
2. According to some critics, Huck possesses the qualities that Americans value most. Is Huck
a true American hero? Defend or refute this idea in a detailed essay. Identify specific
qualities and utilize examples from the book to prove that Huck does/does not possess
those necessary to be considered a true hero.
3. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been labeled a racist book because of its language and
portrayal of Jim and other slaves. Some school districts have even removed the book from
their curriculums. Are these criticisms valid? Use examples from the book to support your
answer. Then, go a step further and use the library to find specific cases of the book's censorship or
defense and use this in your essay.
4. Authors sometimes use humor to disguise serious messages. Analyze Twain's use of
humor in the novel. What are the key lessons he teaches? In creating a humorous book,
why does Twain create a narrator with no sense of humor?
5. Analyze the elements of local color in the novel. Is the novel a good example of local color?
Why/Why not? Prove your position with examples.
6. Is the novel a "classic" in your opinion? Should it be required reading in terms of literary
education? Is it worthy of the praise it has received by authors and critics? Prove your
point with strong examples from the novel. Use the essay “What Is a Classic?” for support
of your assertions. Research some of the literary criticism available, and incorporate it into
your paper.
7. Discuss how Huck displays several textbook characteristics of a child of an alcoholic.
Utilize outside research to determine the key characteristics and incorporate specific
examples from the book to show how Huck displays these qualities.
8. Discuss how Huck displays several textbook characteristics of an abused child. Utilize
outside research to determine the key characteristics and incorporate specific examples
from the book to show how Huck displays these qualities.
9. Analyze the significance and role of several secondary characters in Huckleberry Finn. For
what purpose would Twain include them? Consider the following: How did they affect
Huck and why was that significant? How did they affect the plot? Do they contribute to
theme? Are they being used for satire? Are they symbolic? Overall, determine their
purpose and role in the text. Note: Duke and King, for the purposes of this essay, can count as
“one” character.
10. Analyze the development (how his perspectives grew/changed) and importance of Huck’s
moral dilemma(s) throughout the novel. Is it a true moral dilemma? Topics to consider
would be: How does Huck resolve the conflict(s)? What consequences did he face for his
decisions? What do these moral dilemmas expose about Huck? About society? Are these
struggles still relevant today?
11. Examine how Mark Twain’s own life/experiences influenced this novel. Using the A & E
video biography and another outside source, analyze relevant connections between Twain’s
life and the characters, events, issues, humor, etc. in the novel.
12. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is full of satire. Find one strong example of contemporary
satire that exposes some of the same folly that Twain targeted in the novel. Examine how
the modern example satirizes the topic as well as how Twain satirized the same topic.
Finally, evaluate the effectiveness of each. Which is more successful, in your opinion, at
affecting change?
13. Analyze the effectiveness of the ending of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Write a
likes/dislikes paper (see instructor for directions). Find outside criticism of the ending that
you can use to support your position.
Timeline:
Tue. Dec. 9 - Assignment given and explained; acquire outside sources in LMC
Wed. Dec. 10 – Planning Sheet work time (meet with instructor with questions)
Thur. Dec. 11 – Planning Sheet work time (meet with instructor with questions); due by 3:00pm
--sheets returned to students on Friday with feedback
Tue. Dec. 16 – Typed Rough Draft Due for Peer Editing
Thur. Dec 18 – Final Paper Due
Fri. Dec. 19 – Turnitin.com deadline (11:59pm)
Turnitin.com:
Class ID: 9142563
Password: Huck
When I am king, they shall not have bread and shelter only, but also teachings out of
books, for a full belly is of little worth where the mind is starved.
- From Twain's The Prince and the Pauper