2023-24 American Literature

 We need to look at chapters 24-25 today, but first I want to give you some time to work on your study questions.

 Today we will be looking at chapters 22 and 23.   Discussion Questions: XXI - XXIII Through the Grangerford episode, Twain was able to criticize the myth of Southern honor. What myth of Southern life does Twain satirize in the Sherburn / Boggs incident (which, by the way, was based on a true incident)? What aspect of human nature does Twain satirize through the scene in the drugstore? Compare the circus with the entertainment supplied by the duke and king? What does Huck's reaction to the circus incident tell us about him? Whom does he think was most deceived? What is Twain implying about human nature through the advertising for the "Royal Nonesuch"? "What was the use to tell Jim these warn't real kings and dukes? It wouldn't a done no good; and besides, it was just as I said; you couldn't tell them from the real kind." (117). What does Twain imply? What is s...

 Today we will finish chapter 20 and read 21. Discussion Questions: XXI - XXIII Through the Grangerford episode, Twain was able to criticize the myth of Southern honor. What myth of Southern life does Twain satirize in the Sherburn / Boggs incident (which, by the way, was based on a true incident)? What aspect of human nature does Twain satirize through the scene in the drugstore? Compare the circus with the entertainment supplied by the duke and king? What does Huck's reaction to the circus incident tell us about him? Whom does he think was most deceived? What is Twain implying about human nature through the advertising for the "Royal Nonesuch"? "What was the use to tell Jim these warn't real kings and dukes? It wouldn't a done no good; and besides, it was just as I said; you couldn't tell them from the real kind." (117). What does Twain imply? What is signif...

 Today we need to read chapters 19-20. First I will give you some time to work on the study questions below. Chapters 11-14 1. Compare and contrast the lies Huck gives to Mrs. Judith Lotus to the lies he tells the watchman? (chap 11 and 13). Think about purpose and results. Remember lies and inventing (or reinventing) personas is a motif. What theme do you think these lies reinforce? 2. Make a list of names Huck uses or invent. 3. Contrast the gang on the Walter Scott to Tom’s Gang (you might even look at some of the rules of Tom’s Gang). What is the significance of these two gangs? What idea is Twain trying to reinforce? 4. Look up Walter Scott on the internet. Why would Twain name the sinking boat Walter Scott? What is he making fun of? (Hint: Research the name and read about who Walter Scott was). 5. Look up the dimensions of the Mississippi. Write them down. Look up the Mississippi in Illinois and Missouri. What does the internet say about the river in...

 Today we need to finish 16 and read 17. Then give you some time to work on the study questions below. Wednesday: chaps 17 Thursday: chaps 18 Friday: chaps 19 Chapters 11-14 1. Compare and contrast the lies Huck gives to Mrs. Judith Lotus to the lies he tells the watchman? (chap 11 and 13). Think about purpose and results. Remember lies and inventing (or reinventing) personas is a motif. What theme do you think these lies reinforce? 2. Make a list of names Huck uses or invent. 3. Contrast the gang on the Walter Scott to Tom’s Gang (you might even look at some of the rules of Tom’s Gang). What is the significance of these two gangs? What idea is Twain trying to reinforce? 4. Look up Walter Scott on the internet. Why would Twain name the sinking boat Walter Scott? What is he making fun of? (Hint: Research the name and read about who Walter Scott was). 5. Look up the dimensions of the Mississippi. Write them down. Look up the Mississippi in Illinois and Missou...

  Tuesday: chaps 15-16 Wednesday: chaps 17 Thursday: chaps 18 Friday: chaps 19 Huck Discussion Questions: V - XI (5 -11) 1. Pap: "I won't have it. I'll lay for you, my smarty; and if I catch you about that school I'll tan you good. First you know you'll get religion. I never seen such a son." Discuss the meaning and irony. 2. How does the refusal of the court to grant custody of Huck to the Widow Douglas and Judge Thatcher reflect on society? 3. Even though Huck is regularly beaten, he prefers to stay at the shanty. Why? How does this reflect one of the major themes? 4. Comment on Pap's drunken tirade over the "govment." What message is Twain sending? 5. What major theme is reflected by Huck's escape from his father and his discovery of Jim? 6. What is ironic about Huck wishing Tom were there to help plan the escape? How do you think the plan would have developed had Tom been there? Would it have been successful? 7. Discuss the...

 Today I'll give you some time to work on your study questions. Monday: chaps 12-14 Tuesday: chaps 15-16 Wednesday: chaps 17 Thursday: chaps 18 Friday: chaps 19 Huck Discussion Questions: V - XI (5 -11) 1. Pap: "I won't have it. I'll lay for you, my smarty; and if I catch you about that school I'll tan you good. First you know you'll get religion. I never seen such a son." Discuss the meaning and irony. 2. How does the refusal of the court to grant custody of Huck to the Widow Douglas and Judge Thatcher reflect on society? 3. Even though Huck is regularly beaten, he prefers to stay at the shanty. Why? How does this reflect one of the major themes? 4. Comment on Pap's drunken tirade over the "govment." What message is Twain sending? 5. What major theme is reflected by Huck's escape from his father and his discovery of Jim? 6. What is ironic about Huck wishing Tom were there to help plan the escape? How do you think the plan wo...

Today we need to look at chapters 9-11. Friday: chaps 9-11 Monday: chaps 12-14 Tuesday: chaps 15-16 Wednesday: chaps 17 Thursday: chaps 18 Friday: chaps 19 Huck Discussion Questions: V - XI (5 -11) 1. Pap: "I won't have it. I'll lay for you, my smarty; and if I catch you about that school I'll tan you good. First you know you'll get religion. I never seen such a son." Discuss the meaning and irony. 2. How does the refusal of the court to grant custody of Huck to the Widow Douglas and Judge Thatcher reflect on society? 3. Even though Huck is regularly beaten, he prefers to stay at the shanty. Why? How does this reflect one of the major themes? 4. Comment on Pap's drunken tirade over the "govment." What message is Twain sending? 5. What major theme is reflected by Huck's escape from his father and his discovery of Jim? 6. What is ironic about Huck wishing Tom were there to help plan the escape? How do you think the plan would have ...

  Thursday: chaps 7-9 Friday: chaps 10-12 Monday: chaps 3-14 Tuesday: chaps 15-16 Wednesday: chaps 17 Thursday: chaps 18 Friday: chaps 19 Huck Discussion Questions: V - XI (5 -11) 1. Pap: "I won't have it. I'll lay for you, my smarty; and if I catch you about that school I'll tan you good. First you know you'll get religion. I never seen such a son." Discuss the meaning and irony. 2. How does the refusal of the court to grant custody of Huck to the Widow Douglas and Judge Thatcher reflect on society? 3. Even though Huck is regularly beaten, he prefers to stay at the shanty. Why? How does this reflect one of the major themes? 4. Comment on Pap's drunken tirade over the "govment." What message is Twain sending? 5. What major theme is reflected by Huck's escape from his father and his discovery of Jim? 6. What is ironic about Huck wishing Tom were there to help plan the escape? How do you think the plan would have developed had Tom ...

 Today we need to look at chapters 5-7 Thursday: chaps 8-10 Friday: chaps 11-12 Monday: chaps 3-14 Tuesday: chaps 15-16 Wednesday: chaps 17 Thursday: chaps 18 Friday: chaps 19 Huck Discussion Questions: V - XI (5 -11) 1. Pap: "I won't have it. I'll lay for you, my smarty; and if I catch you about that school I'll tan you good. First you know you'll get religion. I never seen such a son." Discuss the meaning and irony. 2. How does the refusal of the court to grant custody of Huck to the Widow Douglas and Judge Thatcher reflect on society? 3. Even though Huck is regularly beaten, he prefers to stay at the shanty. Why? How does this reflect one of the major themes? 4. Comment on Pap's drunken tirade over the "govment." What message is Twain sending? 5. What major theme is reflected by Huck's escape from his father and his discovery of Jim? 6. What is ironic about Huck wishing Tom were there to help plan the escape? How do you think ...

   Today we are going to look at chapters 3-4 of Huckleberry Finn. HUCKLEBERRY FINN QUESTIONS    Discussion Questions NOTICE - IV 1) Describe the Widow Douglas.  How does Huck respond to the Moses story?  What does this tell the reader about Huck's character?  (Moses will be a motif in this book) 2) Discuss superstition as a motif.  Provide examples. 3) Discuss Huck's view of death and the afterlife.  Death is mentioned frequently in chapter 1.  Why? 4) Comment on the trick Tom and Huck play on Jim. 5) "Jim was most ruined for a servant..."  Discuss the significance of this quote. 6) Considering the themes listing in the objectives, comment on Tom's decision to leave 5 cents for the candles.  Do you think Huck would have done the same thing?   Why or why not? 7) Compare and Contrast Tom and Huck. 8) Why does Tom think it important that the gang be considered "highwaymen" rather than burglars? 9) Disc...

 TEST

 Today we are going to look at chapters 1-2 of Huckleberry Finn. HUCKLEBERRY FINN QUESTIONS    Discussion Questions NOTICE - IV 1) Describe the Widow Douglas.  How does Huck respond to the Moses story?  What does this tell the reader about Huck's character?  (Moses will be a motif in this book) 2) Discuss superstition as a motif.  Provide examples. 3) Discuss Huck's view of death and the afterlife.  Death is mentioned frequently in chapter 1.  Why? 4) Comment on the trick Tom and Huck play on Jim. 5) "Jim was most ruined for a servant..."  Discuss the significance of this quote. 6) Considering the themes listing in the objectives, comment on Tom's decision to leave 5 cents for the candles.  Do you think Huck would have done the same thing?   Why or why not? 7) Compare and Contrast Tom and Huck. 8) Why does Tom think it important that the gang be considered "highwaymen" rather than burglars? 9) Discuss Huc...

  Today we will discuss Huckleberry Finn and then you should have some time to study for the test on Romanticism .  Huck Finn Geography HUCKLEBERRY FINN Introduction:             Huckleberry Finn, published in 1885, is considered not only a great book, but according to Ernest Hemingway (and many critics), it is the foundation of American literature.   It is the first novel to address uniquely American problems such as slavery and the hypocrisy of American Society (particularly of the Southern Gentile Tradition).   It is the first novel to have as its narrator a true American: an uneducated homeless boy of the lower class who has been raised for most of his life by no one and who owns nothing but his own ingenuity.   In fact it is the naivety of the narrator that allows Mark Twain to condemn society.   Huck Finn, while a liar, a thief, a minor conman (or con-boy), a rapscallion, a d...