Contextualizing The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
In order to enhance your understanding of Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, you
first need to uncover pertinent background information about the life and times of life on the Mississippi prior to the
Civil War. You will become “experts” about specific topics related to the novel via completion of a webquest. Once
you have your information, complete the following handout.
#1 Your topic is the following: Mark Twain
1. What was Twain’s occupation from 1857-1859? __________________________
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2. What did his fans and his critics say about him and his books?
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3. How did Twain’s father earn a living while living in Hannibal, Missouri?
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4. What year was The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn published? ______________
5.
How old was Mark Twain at its publication? ____________________________
6. What was Mark Twain’s real name? __________________________________
#2 Your topic is the following: Controversy surrounding Huck Finn and censorship
1. Read the article titled, "Huck Finn, Censorship and the 'N' Word". How many times is the “n” word
used in Huckleberry Finn? What have some schools replaced that word with and why?
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2. According to the experts in this article, what do they say is “the only way to get Americans to deal
openly and honestly with prejudice”?
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3. In the article “Safe Water Ahead…” the author states, “Censoring our past will not make it go away”.
What are your thoughts on her quote?
4. List 3 reasons why schools, libraries, etc. ban the reading or teaching of the novel.
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#3 Your topic is the following: Geography and Life on the River
1. Describe Twain’s childhood in Hannibal. What role did the Mississippi River plan in his life?
2. What was life like for people living on the river in the 1800s?
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#4 Your topic is the following: Slavery and Abolitionists
1. What was daily life like for a slave?
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2. Who were slave holders? What was life like for them?
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3. What is an abolitionist?__________________________________________________
#5 Your topic is the following: Time Line
1. Research the time period of the novel (approximately 1835-1850s). What was
happening in this region at this time?
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2. What events were happening in the United States?
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3. What events were happening globally?
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#6 Your topic is the following: Slave Laws
1. What were the specific laws regarding slavery from the 1600s to the end of the Civil
War?
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2. What were the consequences for being a slave fugitive?
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3. What were the consequences for aiding slave fugitives?
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#7 Your topic is the following: Smallpox
1. What is smallpox? _____________________________________________________
2. How did smallpox affect the lives of people in the 19th century?
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3. What vaccinations were available? What is a “pest house”?
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