" America's Favorite Family

2. "America's Favorite Family

3. Huck and Tom view the steamboat

4. Tom and Huck watch their own funerals

5. ...but it's not what you think

6. Data Speaks to a 49er

7. Mark Twain talks to a Reporter

8. Sam Clemens on Star Trek

9. Twain on the Enterprise

10. Condemnedas racist Condemned for promoting stereotypes Condemnedof containing graphic instances of nudity and death Condemnedfor holding little humor and regarded as the “veriest trash” Condemnedfor being unsuitable for young readers

11. It touches the heart It gives a deeper understanding of the American scene H.L Mencken lists it as one of the ten most important novels in America’s literary history. “The source from which all American literature derived.” “It’s the best book we’ve had. All American writing comes after that. There is nothing before. There has been nothing as good since.”– Ernest Hemingway

12. “If I had to say as much about American as I possibly could in only two words, I would say these two words: ‘Huck Finn.’” – Charles Kuralt

13. This novel excels in capturing reality, dialect, the natural speech of Huck, the very tragedy and comedy of his going with the whims of the river.

14. Like the Odyssey, the novel is episodic – it is a pilgrimage Some thinks it is of the picaresque genre, which originated in Spain and depicts in realistic detail the adventures of a roguish hero, often with satiric or humorous effects Others say Huck is not a rogue, therefore, the novel is not picaresque Interestingly, Twain did not consider Huck is best work; however, it continues to dominate with the amount of scholarly articles

15. It thrives because of its original narrative style, its realistic subject matter, and its depiction of loyalty and sacrifice Twain created a completely original American voice He depicts a realistic version of the squalid and cruel environment of the South in a brutal and raw manner The novel is a satire used to attack vice and stupidity Huck’s journey is an adventure in democracy, a way of living in which the ultimate triumph lies in how human beings treat each other.

16. Many of the sources of Twain’s tales are from oral tradition and folklore Based on fact and fiction, observation and experience, reminiscence and imagination, descriptions and commentary

17. Characters The supreme achievement of an author is the creation of a living, breathing human being. Huck Displays an uncanny wisdom that goes beyond his years His feelings and interpretations are not necessarily that of Twain -- Twain is exploring his own reservations about religion and its ties to slavery Always literal, a realist A product of the environment

18. Can adapt to any situation Observations are not judgmental He never laughs at the incongruities he describes Accepts at face value the social and religious rules pressed upon him by society until his experiences cause him to make decisions in which his learned values are called to conflict He doesn’t recognize the contradiction of “love thy neighbor” and slavery Reports simply what he see He lies, cheats, steals, and defrauds to survive, but in the end makes the right decision

19. Tom Foil to Huck Huck always believes what Tom says Twin with differing dominate personality characteristics A romantic, insensitive representative of the society Huck hates He takes control, romanticizes, and exaggerate all situation The humorous exaggeration symbolizes Twain’s dislike of popular romantic novels (ex. Don Quixote)

20. His humor is bitter satire to show hypocrisy, violence, and squalor Knowledge comes soles from books Symbolic of civilized society Jim One of the most controversial figures in American literature Superstitious Simple and trustworthy to the point of gullibility – doesn’t change but they prove to be positive instead of negative

21. Simple nature becomes common sense Always chooses the right path Completely trusts his friends, especially Huck – believes in him throughout the novel – becomes a father/son relationship Product of society and his circumstance – conditioned to put others above himself, regardless of the consequences Twin to Huck in that they both want freedom Loyal, without question He is a hero

22. Everything he does is presented through emotions We are to feel sympathy for Jim and outrage against the society that would harm him Pap Symbolic of the abuse underscoring the chaotic and violent environment after the Civil War Threats are funny because of the irony He exudes bigotry and hate Symbolizes civilization

23. Widow Douglas Guardian of Huck Wanted to “sivilize,” and instill religion in Huck

24. Dialect Twain criticized other authors’ use of dialect, so it is probable that he paid careful attention to this in his writing Many different levels of dialect in the novel On the surface dialect functions a an instrument of humor, but Twain is addressing some very serious issues with this humor Characters who use proper grammar and elevated vocabulary would contend that they are superior to those who speak differently. Twain questions this.

25. Dialect can indicate whether or not they are privileged, but it cannot allow for an assessment of their morals. Twain’s concern for the discrepancy between the speaker’s intention and the listener’s understanding of the words is another source of humor, but this discrepancy also allows Twain to make some statements regarding class structure

26. The complexity of Twain’s dialogue doesn’t exist only because of the dialect but because of the communication between characters Twain uses locution and illocution Locution: call someone’s house, “Is Gina there?” Illocution: caller wants to speak with Gina It is a discrepancy between our words and our true message behind the words Twain makes a conscious choice not to edit regional bigotry through the language

27. Mississippi River Named the “great river” by the Indians because of its size Approximately 2,300 miles One mile wide Its source is in northern Minnesota Flows southward and empties into Gulf of Mexico Provides drainage for about 1/3 of the land area of the US Adjacent land is very fertile for faming Cuts the country in two from north to south

28. Functions as the core of an entire network of waterways leading east and west Vital for travel Pathway for US trade and exchange of prodcts between different sections of the country was well as for products imported The great ear of Mississippi trade was during Twain’s lifetime Helped river cities to grow Problems: washes away large amounts of topsoil and floods land Became less efficient for travel with the railroad

29. Huck Finn is a great book because it is about a god (the river) – about, that is, a power which seems to have a mind and will of its own This river god generally provides a place of refuge, peace, and sanity for Huck – there is evil (the duke and king) On shore Huck encounters what is wrong with the world: violence, greed, fraud, and cruelty – there is goodness (Mary Jane Wilks) Obviously it is symbolic of Huck’s peaceful, natural life The descriptions emphasize the serenity of the river as opposed to the shore – called the raft/shore dichotomy – very important motif

30. Humor • Considered one of America’s most famous humorists • Techniques: • 1. Incongruity: putting things together that do not belong together (mixing Hamlet and Macbeth, mixing the duke with Shakespeare) • Theatrics – Huck’s ability to disguise himself and convince gullible adults • Points out the ridiculous aspects of people, society, and customs – uses satire

31. 4. Huck’s deadpan narration juxtaposed to events that are not logical – he doesn’t see the humor in what he says – he does not recognize the irony – he doesn’t mean to be disrespectful or sarcastic – he simply states the facts 5. Irony -- Huck constantly believes he is evil because he goes against society’s rules -- Jim is technically free from the bonds of slavery, he is chained to societal views 6. Dialect

32. Themes • Civilization and “natural life” – Twain seems to say the “uncivilized life” is better • 2. Honor • 3. Food – a sign that Huck has someone to take care of him • 4. Mockery of religion – attacks organized religion throughout • 5. Superstition – shows childlike ways and foreshadows

33. 6. Slavery – pushed to the background – never debated in the novel – comes out in the end Without a doubt the realities of slavery and racial division are the most important and controversial elements 7. Money – emphasizes the gap between the rich and poor – Huck sees it as a luxury/Jim sees it as freedom, allowing him to live like a white person

34. The recognition of the heroic struggles of both Huck and Jim make the novel a classic. It is a testament to human perseverance, loyalty, and faith embodied through Huck and Jim’s gestures of sacrifice.