AP English Lit

Name: Kelsie Mcfadden and Grace Hunter

Major Works Data Sheet: Do not cut/paste from a website, which is a form of plagiarism.
Title: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Biographical information about the author:

Author: Mark Twain Born in 1835

Date of Publication: December 10, 1884
Genre: satire
Historical information about the period of
publication or setting of the novel:
Takes place before Civil War: 18351845.
Mark Twain moved to Hannibal at age 4.
Hannibal was a town on the Mississippi River
very similar to the town depicted in Huck
Finn
Slavery had ended, but racism still relevant
due to Jim Crow Laws
During this time the Industrial Revolution
was in its peak and there existed extreme
contrasts between the rich and poor
the novel takes place along the Mississippi
River, a place in the South where racial
tensions were very high at the time and
African Americans were still seen as slaves,
not as regular people. This causes character
conflict throughout the novel.
Along with a writer he was a riverboat
pilot, journalist, inventor, entrepreneur,
and lecturer.
Also wrote The Adventures of Tom
Sawyer
Real name Samuel Langhorne Clemens,
Mark Twain was his pen name.
Growing up, their family struggled
economically which inspired his writing.
They lived in Hannibal a town situated
on the Mississippi River.
Twain witnessed violence in Hannibal at
young age. At 9, he saw a cattle rancher
murdered by a local man. At 10, he
witnessed a slave die after a white man
hit him with a piece of iron.
Characteristics of the genre:
satire uses the device of humor to elicit
social change. Satire is often implied,
meaning the reader must look closely to
find the humor of the novel. satire is
directed at certain types of people or
society as a whole. It is exaggerated to
make a point very obvious, and can
oftentimes be seen as offensive. Satire
often uses humor, irony, and parody to
make a political/social statement.

Plot Summary: Do not cut/paste from a website, which is a form of plagiarism.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn takes place in the 1840s when slavery was very present in the
South. Huck, a young boy, runs away from home, and meets Jim, a runaway slave. They become friends
and undertake a series of adventures including meeting the King and Duke, who send them on a
different path. The story follows the duo showing Huckleberrys slow change of his views on racism. As
Jim is discriminated, Huck begins to distinguish between right and wrong. Lastly, Huck is faced with
going along with world's prejudice, of which he's been taught, or the lessons he has grown to
understand about the evils of racism by knowing Jim.
 Major Works Data Sheet
Memorable Quotes at least 3- more is better
Quotation Significance

It was fifteen minutes
before I could work myself
up to go and humble myself
to a nigger; but I done it,
and I warnt ever sorry for
it afterwards, neither.
This quote is significant because its the beginning of change in Huck.
Society has grained into him their ideals of slavery and racism. Huck,
growing up in the South, has become a racist himself. However, as a young
boy, he is just beginning to establish his own beliefs about the world
around him. In this sentence, Huck goes against societys norms of talking
to a slave because he believes that is the right thing to do.

We said there warnt no In this quote, Jim and Huck have just escaped the Grangerfords, separating
themselves from society again. They express their comfort in nature, as
home like a raft, after all.
they taste freedom. Huck and Jim are seen as similar rather than different
Other places do seem so without societys labels, it is at these times when Hucks attitude changes.
cramped up and smothery,
but a raft dont. You feel
mighty free and easy and
comfortable on a raft

Good gracious! Anybody

hurt? This quote is significant because it shows us the racism that was still very
Nom. Killed a nigger prominent in the south and their attitude towards slaves. Even though Aunt
Polly, who says this to Huck, is considered a nice woman, society has
Well its lucky; because pounded their ideals into her brain, causing her to believe that slaves are
sometimes people do get not considered people.
hurt

Major Works Data Sheet

 Characters
Name Role in the story Significance
Huck Finn Protagonist. Runs away from Novel revolves around
home and adventure down the his journey as he runs
river ensues. away
Jim Deuteragonist. Accompanies sidekick to Huck
Huck on the journey. through his journey
down the Mississippi
Tom Sawyer Foil Shows the reader how
Hucks life could have
turned out
Pap Finn town drunk exemplifies a
negative tone
throughout the novel
The Duke and The first people Huck Teach Huck that not
The King encounters on his adventure everyone should be
easily trusted
the Grangerfords provide Huck with a place to represent a southern
stay aristocratic family
the Shepherdsons enemies to the Grangerfords engage in many feuds
with their competing
neighbors 5 miles
down the road
Adjectives
Brave, Happy-go-lucky,
wise, witty, confident,
gullible
Superstitious, wise,
humble, selfless
successful, polite,
responsible, well-
rounded
despicable, solemn,
carefree
Manipulative, money
hungry, poor, greedy
wealthy, hospitable,
concerned with
appearance
wealthy, arrogant

Major Works Data Sheet

Setting Significance of the opening scene
 The story takes place along the
Mississippi river bordering Missouri,
Illinois, and Arkansas.
Before the Civil War
1830s-40s
The story takes place in the South
Slavery was legal
Most inhabitants were uneducated and
drunks.
In the opening scene of Huckleberry Finn, Huck
describes an incident in which the Widow Douglas
teaches him about the story of Moses trying to sivilize
him. In the opening passage, Huck states that he would
be willing to go to hell. In the first scene, Huck is is
seen Huck is stubborn following his perfect Christian
upbringings. Therefore, foreshadowing his likeness to
get himself into trouble.

Symbols or Motifs (at least three) Significance of the ending / closing scene
Childhood: Huck and Jims youth and lack As the novel comes to a close, Jim is freed from slavery,
of life experience get them into more aunt Sally has offered to adopt Huck, and Huck still has
trouble than adults would face in similar all the money to his name. It is noted that in this happy-
environments. They are viewed in less of go-lucky ending Twain alludes to the American spirit.
a harsh light by those around them and Despite all that Huck faced on his long journey, his
pardoned more for their actions due to persistence in the long run led to riches and success.
their youth.
Superstition: Jims variety of fears and
superstitions seem to reflect his lack of
intelligence, but many of his beliefs end
up helping the duo along their journey.
This implies that book knowledge is not
necessary to thrive.
The Mississippi River: represents
freedom and new opportunity as the
boys travel away from their
abuse/enslavement.
Possible Themes Topics of Discussion (elaborate) minimum of 3

Racism: Treatment of Jim and other slaves in the novel and its significance
Morality: Huck Finn struggles with the moral dilemma of accepting Jim when the South did not.
Friendship: The relationship between Huck and Jim.