The adventures of huckleberry finn
- A novel written by Mark Twain in a first person narrative who is also the main protagonist 'Huck Finn'.
- He talks directly to the reader and engaged the reader in the opening of the novel.
- He talks in first person, making the novel more personal and friendly.
- Suspension of disbelief - readers known that it is Mark Twain speaking to them but they choose not to believe this and instead choose to believe that he is talking as Huck.
- Verisimilitude
2) How would you describe Huck's language?
- Syntax - His idiolect is unusual as his order of words is different.
- His language is unusual but gives him an identity.
- Colloquial language - slang.
- From his language we can tell that he is white.
- His Idiolect is unusual as he adds extra words which changes the order (syntax)
What are Huck's likes and dislikes?
- Huck dislikes stories about dead people and does not care about the past - E.G Moses being dead and Huck learning about this after the widow tells him the story.
- He likes Tom Sawyer and tells us he wants to go to hell with him.
- He dislikes his father because he is always drunk and is constantly making trouble for him.
- He dislikes maths
- He disliked school at first
- Huck dislikes wearing fancy clothes which the widow dresses him in and hates being civilised.
- He hates lies and hypocrites.
- Friendship - Huck and Finn
- Family - His problems with his father
- Crime - Forming his gang
- Freedom - He wishes to be free from his father and away from everyone including the widow.
- Rebellion
- He wanted to be part of a group as Huck does not have parents.
- He took an oath and made a deal if anyone finds out then their family members will be killed.
- He wants to be away from his boring life with the widow
- Ben Rogers couldn't get out so they all had to decide to do it on Sunday.
- Rob people for their money.
- Tom Sawyers idea - he reads pirate and robber books.
- Huck is more mature than Tom.
- Tom is more of a troublemaker than Huck.
- Tom is more daring.
- Tom has been brought up in a loving household with his auntie who loves him a lot, whereas Huck lives with his drunken father who does not care about him, is jealous of him and him having an education and beats him.
- Tom fantasises more than Huck e.g when they pretend to rob people.
- What do we learn about Huck's character?
- He seeks freedom.
- He's adventurous.
- He isn't scared or worried.
- He is extremely smart for example when he plans his escape from his dad.
4) When Huck's father returns what does Huck think he will do?
- Huck's father thinks he will make him quit school and take all his money that Judge Thatcher has.
How does he stop this from happening ?
- He throws salt over his shoulder/goes to see the nigger Jim who tells him his fortune with a hairball.
5) How would you describe Huck's father?
- A drunken and jealous man, because him or his wife were not educated so he does not want Huck to be educated and is always taking money of him.
- He is also crazy, poor and dangerous because he attacks Finn with a knife.
- He has a rough dialect with taboo language such as swear words.
- His words are slurred due to being a drunkard.
What does Judge Thatcher do about Huck's dad?
- Tries to get custody over Huck by taking him to court.
- Takes him home and tries to reform him by giving him a place to stay, clothes etc...
- Allows him to take custody if he changes his ways/reforms himself.
What does this say about the law?
- In that time they were not bothered and did not take things too seriously, in the book Huck says a new judge said the law was not to interfere with family matters and the court case was extremely slow.
- The law is hypocritical.
- To a secluded cabin in the middle of the woods far from town.