English II Pre‐AP Summer Reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—Mark Twain Ernest Hemingway said all modern literature comes from Mark Twain's novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and it is indeed a work of literary merit. The novel shares the adventures of Huck Finn and Jim as they search for personal freedoms while traveling the Mississippi River. Twain's purpose for writing the novel is intricately woven within the characters' escapades and ultimately reveals how both Huck and Jim deal with their individual struggles rooted in the constraints of society. Reading the introduction found in the Penguin publication prior to beginning the novel will provide a basis for understanding Mark Twain's ultimate motivation for writing this particular work. Barnes and Nobles should have the Penguin publication in stock, but the novel should be readily available at any bookstore or public library. Miz B’s Books at 2505 West Ohio should have used copies. Feel free to refer to book notes which can be found online or purchased at any book store. If you experience difficulty with the dialect in the novel, consider obtaining the audio book (from the local library or bookstore) and reading as you listen to the audio. Be prepared to take a test covering the entire novel the Monday following the second week of school. The attached study guide should be used to prepare for the test. It will not be graded, but test questions will be taken from the guide. Have a great summer, and READ, READ, READ—not just this novel but everything you can get your hands on! Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Chapters 1-5
1.
After Huck initially runs away from the Widow Douglas, how does Tom convince him to return and give it
another try?
2.
What is the ultimate outcome of the trick Tom plays on Jim (hanging his hat on the tree limb).
3.
According to Tom’s gang, what does ransom mean?
4.
How does the gang agree to treat women?
5.
What convinces Huck that the drowned man is not Pap?
6.
Tom’s ideas for adventures come from what source?
7.
Huck “sells” all of his property to Judge Thatcher “for a consideration.” What was the “consideration?”
8.
What does the hair-ball tell Jim?
9.
Why does the new judge refuse to take Huck away from his father?
10.
What happens when the new judge attempts to reform Pap?
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Chapters 6-10
1.
When Pap kidnaps Huck, where does he take him?
2.
What is ironic about Pap’s dissertation on the free black man from Ohio?
3.
Explain how Huck fakes his own death.
4.
Who is manning the skiff that passes by Huck’s canoe the night of his escape?
5.
What is Huck’s initial destination?
6.
Why does a ferryboat full of people repeatedly fire a canon across the lake?
7.
What is Jim’s initial reaction when he first meets Huck on the island?
8.
What is Jim’s reason for running away?
9.
Explain how Huck’s promise to Jim effectively places Huck outside the social order.
10.
According to Jim, what do his hairy arms and hairy chest mean?
11.
What is the condition of the man that Huck and Jim find in the floating house?
12.
What do Jim and Huck find in the lining of an old blanket overcoat?
13.
Why does Huck blame himself when Jim is bitten by the rattlesnake?
14.
Name two of the three things Jim does to “cure” himself of the snake bite.
15.
At the end of Chapter 10, why does Huck dress as a girl?
BONUS: Speculate on the identity of the dead man in the floating house. You must include
reasons for
your answer.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Chapters 11-20
1.
Who does Huck learn is the prime suspect in Huck’s supposed murder?
2.
How is Huck’s identity as a boy discovered when he poses as Sarah Williams?
3.
Who is George Peters?
4.
In Huck’s own private set of morals, what is the difference between stealing and borrowing?
5.
What does Huck find on board the Walter Scott?
6.
After Huck reports the wreck, why does he wish the widow knew about him “helping these rapscallions.”
7.
The discussion between Huck and Jim about the story of King Solomon marks a major change in the
relationship between the two. What is that change?
8.
At what point does Jim become Huck’s friend instead of simply a runaway slave?
9.
Why is the town of Cairo significant to Jim?
10.
In Chapter 16 Huck is faced with the dilemma of conscience versus the rules of society when he is
convicted that he should turn Jim in. What does he decide to do?
11.
In reference to question 10, why are his feelings about his decision ironic?
12.
Chapters 17 and 18 involve the first of several of Twain’s satirical comments on human nature. Explain this
satire in regard to the following quote: “Col. Grangerford was a gentleman, you see.”
13.
Who is George Jackson?
14.
How does Huck recover from the situation when he forgets his name?
15.
When Huck attends church with the Grangerfords, why is the sermon about brotherly love ironic?
16.
Why does Huck hold himself responsible for Buck’s death?
17.
Explain the significance of Jim waiting on Huck instead of continuing on to Cairo.
18.
Why does Huck allow the Duke and Dauphin to take over the raft?
19.
How do the Duke and Dauphin con the people of the community they enter.
20.
Explain the rationale of printing posters depicting Jim as a runaway slave.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Chapters 21-25
1.
The Duke and the Dauphin plan to present a performance which is actually a combination of several
Shakespearean plays. Name one of these plays.
2.
Who was Boggs, and why did Colonel Sherburn shoot him?
3.
Explain the significance of the Bible placed on Boggs’ chest.
4.
Describe the attitude of the townspeople as they watch the reenactment of the shooting.
5.
Colonel Sherburn’s speech to the mob is intended by Twain as an indictment of the entire human race.
Explain in as few words as possible the essence of that speech.
6.
When only twelve people attend the performance of the Duke and Dauphin, they create a strategy that they
feel certain will draw a crowd. Explain this strategy.
7.
What does the success of the “strategy” in question 6 suggest about human nature?
8.
How does Jim find out his daughter is deaf?
9.
Contrast Jim’s treatment of his daughter to the way Huck was treated by Pap.
10.
Why does the Duke disguise Jim as a sick Arab?
11.
Who is Peter Wilks?
12.
When Huck says, “It was enough . . . to make a body ashamed of the human race,” to what is he referring?
13.
Why does Huck feel that he has to take part in the swindle planned by the king and the duke?
14.
Who is the one person who tries to warn the girls that the king and the duke are frauds?
15.
How does Mary Jane respond to the warning?
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Chapters 26-30
Write a main idea statement for each of the following chapters:
1.
Chapter 26
2.
Chapter 27
3.
Chapter 28
4.
Chapter 29
5.
Chapter 30
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Chapters 31-43
1.
Who sells Jim back into slavery?
2.
Why does Huck decide not to write the letter to Tom revealing Jim’s location?
3.
When Huck tears up the letter to Miss Watson, what distinct choice does he make?
4.
Mrs. Phelps mistakes Huck for which other character.
5.
What makes Tom believe that Huck has come back to “haunt” him?
6.
Who is William Thompson?
7.
Who pretends to be Sid Sawyer?
8.
Explain how Jim ruins the final performance of the king and the duke.
9.
Why is Huck surprised when Tom agrees to help him “steal” Jim?
10.
What is Tom’s only criterion for choosing a plan to steal Jim?
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Chapters 31-Final Chapter
2
11.
Which two entities (one human and one not) does Aunt Sally blame for the items missing from the house?
12.
What do Tom and Huck cook in a “witch pie?”
13.
Name one item Tom plans to use in Jim’s coat of arms.
14.
What happens to the first rats Tom and Huck catch?
15.
Why does Tom insist that Jim have rats, snakes, and spiders?
16.
Who does Huck find in the “setting room,” when he is sent there by Aunt Sally?
17.
Explain why Aunt Sally first believes Huck has “brain fever.”
18.
Explain the irony of Tom’s words, “Now, old Jim, you’re a free man again, and I bet you won’t ever be a
slave no more.”
19.
Who is shot during Jim’s escape?
20.
Who makes the decision to send for a doctor?
21.
Why do the farmers believe Jim is crazy?
22.
When Jim is captured, why do the farmers decide not to hang him?
23.
How does Aunt Sally learn the truth about Jim’s escape?
24.
When Tom announces that Jim has been free all along, what statement does he make about himself and
mankind in general?
25.
Why does Tom give Jim forth dollars?
26.
What truth does Jim reveal about Huck’s father?
27.
What is Huck’s final decision concerning civilization?