Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is widely regarded as one of the cornerstones of American literature. Mark Twain wrote this novel during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War, in response to the newly enacted Jim Crow laws. Teaching students about this background, as well as the historical context of slavery, Sentimentalism, and the Second Great Awakening will help them better understand the novel. Students should also know what satire is, so they can elucidate how Twain satirizes these aforementioned institutions and movements.
In recent decades, Huckleberry Finn has become controversial for its use of the n-word. Before starting this book, your class can discuss race in America, with a particular focus on the nineteenth century. This conversation will place the dialogue in historical context and help students understand why Twain, an abolitionist, would use such a racial slur in his book. After reading the novel, students can discuss how race and racism are portrayed in the book, with particular focus on Jim, his humanity, his degree of agency, and how he is racially stereotyped.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
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Summary of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Key Facts
- Length: 288 pages
- Lexile Measure: 980
- Publication Date: 1884
- Recommended Grade Band: 9 – 10
After Huckleberry Finn acquires money and is adopted by Widow Douglas, who tries to civilize him, he is kidnapped by his drunken father. Huck runs away to avoid his father's abuse and encounters Jim, a runaway slave. Together, the two journey down the Mississippi River, where they deal with slave catchers and con artists. Over the course of their adventures, Huck gains new insight on slavery and morality.
Content Warning: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn contains some profanity, including racial slurs.
What Your Students Will Love About Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- The amount of adventure in the story
- The themes that are still relatable in today's world
Potential Student Struggles With Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- Understanding the historical context of the story and the harsh racism that was present in the South
- Understanding the regional dialects
Learning Objectives for Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- Trace Huck's maturity and understanding of his world.
- Discuss the cruelty of slavery and the dehumanizing of African Americans by the white nineteenth-century culture.
- Discuss the restrictions on one's freedom in town life, as opposed to the freedom to live outside civilization.
- Note and discuss the objects of Twain's satire.
- Point out differences between the author's and the narrator's point of view.
- Determine how the second half of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn seems like a different book.
Literary Elements in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- Allusion
- Dialect
- First-Person Point of View
- Hyperbole
- Irony
- Malapropism
- Metaphor
- Satire
- Symbolism
- And more!
Major Themes in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Racism — During his journey on the river with a runaway slave, Jim, Huck confronts the realities of racism within society.
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Identity — Huck's journey is one of growth; he learns about where he fits in his Southern society.
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Morality — The ethical issues of slavery are brought into full focus as Huck experiences the negative aspects of his world.
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Other Resources for Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
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This free guide was originally posted in January 2015. It has been updated as of May 2020.