Extra Credit:
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Theme/Message/Motif-Based Board Game
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to track which scenes highlight a
certain theme, motif, or message (your list is provided below). You will also
analyze how your theme affects the novel as a whole, as well as how your
theme reflects the author’s larger purpose or message.
Objectives: Create a board game that captures the spirit and themes/motifs
of Mark Twain’s great American novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Glean newfound knowledge about Twain’s era and society, as well as connect
your key theme to contemporary society.
Theme/Message/Motif List:
 People must live outside of society to be truly free
 Greed can destroy lives
 Society’s values and laws can be in conflict with higher moral values
 People can behave irrationally and even cruelly in large groups.
 Gullible people are partially responsible for their own deception
 Freedom means different things to different people
 The constant struggle between freedom and slavery.
Task 1:
Chart each scene that deals with your theme/motif. State the page and
chapter where your theme/motif is presented. Briefly explain/summarize the
scene, then analyze the scene in terms of how your theme impacts the
narrative. This should be roughly 1-2 pages.
You may discuss – but are not limited to – the following questions:
 How is the theme/motif presented in the chapter?
 What is the author’s perspective regarding the theme/motif?
 Does the theme/motif impact the reader? Why/why not?
 Analyze the theme/motif in its textual context. Does it have a moral?
Is there a universal truth? Does it impact the novel as a whole?
 Is this theme or motif reflected symbolically?
These questions and charts should guide you in the creation of your game.
Task 2:
Find at least one example of your theme in contemporary society that you will
illustrate in your board game. Show how your modern perspective embodies
the same elements/motifs Mark Twain presented. Remember to make this
easy for the players to understand your connection. Discuss where it happens,
what country/state/overall setting, who, when and why. [For example: If your
theme is about how greed can destroy lives, one could choose to cite the
tabloid frenzy that surrounds everything Britney Spears does as their example
(but not anymore, because I used it).]
You can pursue many avenues of research for this comparison. Here are a few
basic ideas:
 Current events (i.e. newspapers, credible magazine articles (see
me if you have doubts), journals), politics, and social/global issues
 Pop culture (Music, Hollywood, etc.)
 Family structure and trends
 News media
 Current religions
The Big One:
Create a board game that exemplifies the theme you chose from Adventures
of Huckleberry Finn. Utilize color, paints, foliage, and – most of all – creativity.
This is meant to be fun as well as informative – so try something new! Make
sure your board illustrates key plot points that highlight your theme, symbols,
motifs etc.
Do research on the major issues of Twain’s era as well as your theme/motif
(slavery, politics, and family life). Write a one to two page analysis, with one ¶
discussing how you incorporated your research in your game, a second ¶ that
analyzes your theme, and a final ¶ that will discuss the contemporary issue
that connects to your theme. Include copies of your research, an MLAformatted Works Cited page, and your summary in a small portfolio (see
below).
Develop detailed directions that are grammatically correct and easy to
follow. These clear and concise directions must be typed. Include objectives,
answer sheets (if necessary), and gameplay rules.
Create questions that incorporate facts and analysis about your theme. Be
sure to label the difficulty level of your questions. You must have at least
twenty questions (since it would be a short game otherwise!), although some
of you will undoubtedly make more. Do not copy the discussion questions!
Design and create game pieces that reflect the pioneer spirit or local color of
the novel and your theme. Make sure your game pieces coincide with the era
(no cars, planes, blimps, etc.).
Be original, invest yourself in your work, and impress me!
Grade Breakdown:
Board and Research: 40% of grade
Directions: 20% of grade
Questions: 20% of grade
Period-Centric Design: 10% of grade
Overall Creativity/Effect: 10% of grade
Due Date: January 28th, 2008
You will turn in the board, pieces, and a small portfolio (with a creative
cover!) containing a table of contents, copies of your research and summary,
and an MLA-formatted Works Cited page.