An introduction... and exploration!

1. • "All modern
American literature
comes from one
book by Mark
Twain called
Huckleberry Finn"
Ernest Hemingway
Mark Twain & The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

2. • Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens , on November
30, 1835 in Florida , Missouri , in a slave owning
family.
• Family later moved to river town of Hannibal.
• Apprenticed as river boat pilot.
• Began using pseudonym Mark Twain (meaning two
fathoms) when writing political reports as
journalist for a Virginian newspaper.

3. ADVENTURES OF
HUCKLEBERRY FINN
First published in 1885

4. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Commonly named among the Great American Novels, the
work is among the first in major American literature to be
written in the vernacular
Set in pre-Civil War years
Set 40-50 years before 1885 publication
Satirizing a Southern society, Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn is, among other things, an often critical look at deep-
rooted attitudes, particularly racism.

5. PERSPECTIVES ABOUT THE HYPOCRISY OF “CIVILIZED”
SOCIETY
• Society’s laws (Miss Watson and Widow Douglas) vs.
higher moral values (Huck and Jim)
• Rules and principles that reflect faulty logic
• Civilized vs. Natural life / freedom?
• A “just” society that condones slavery
• Unsteady justice is blinded by cowardice, prejudice, and
a lack of common sense
• Seemingly good characters are slave-owners
• Hypocrisy of “civilized” society which values morality, but

6. Characterisation – PERSPECTIVES ABOUT MATURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
• The novel is a moral coming-of-age story
• Being open-minded is one of Huck’s qualities
• Huck is a child – Huck’s characterization positions the responder to follow
the natural development and maturation of Huck’s moral compass
• Through the first person narration, Huck’s inner conflicts between “right
and wrong” develop Huck’s character as being essentially human – this
invites a stronger sense of connection between the reader and Huck.
Describe (and find quotes for) two different “adventures” which show
Huck’s inner conflict between right and wrong.
• The reader gains a balanced insight into the reality of the world in which
Huck has travelled. How?
• Huck’s relationship with Jim assists his progression throughout the novel.
Find quotes which support this statement
• Huck’s experiences and apprehension about society help lead to his
maturity .

7. PERSPECTIVES ABOUT RELIGION
• Twain focuses on the different perspectives/interpretations of
religion.
• Throughout his life, Twain was known for his attacks on organized
religion.
• Huck Finn's sarcastic characterization invites the reader to
challenge various perpectives about religion.
• In the first chapter, Huck indicates that hell sounds far more fun than
heaven.

8. PERSPECTIVES ABOUT THE NATURE OF FREEDOM
• The novel explores different perspectives about
the value (OR danger) of individual thought and
ideals.
What is a the dominant perspective presented
in the novel? Individuality & personal liberty
OR Social conventions for the ‘common good’ of
a “’sivilsed” society?
• Is it possible to escape an illogical and oppressive
society?
Identify two different perspectives about
whether or not society is oppressive. For whom?
Why?
• Explore the perspectives on slavery vs. liberty
Are the “outcasts” of society the only truly free
characters? Explain and support your position.

9. Symbols
The Mississippi River
 a symbol
• The Land (Civilized society) Vs The River
(individual freedom)
• Raft: is a symbol for escape  safe place
As Huck puts it: "Other places seem so
cramped and smothery, but a raft don't. You
feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a
raft."
Money / wealth / property
 a symbol
• separates the civilized from the
“outcasts

10. Literary and Artistic Movements:
REALISM and REGIONALISM
• Realism is a style of writing, developed in the 19th century,
that attempts to depict life accurately, as it really is, without
idealizing or romanticizing.
Regionalism is literature that emphasizes a specific
geographic setting and that reproduces the speech,
behavior, and attitudes of the people who live in the region.

11. • Attack upon Romantics and Transcendentalists
• Goal of realism is to represent cultural, social, political and personal
perspectives with truth and honesty  “warts-and-all”  exploring
hypocrisies which exist in:
• our world
• our communities
• our institutions
• our families, and….
• in ourselves.
• Realism is pragmatic, democratic, and experimental 
Twain uses phonetic spelling, vernacular, dialect and idiom to separate
various perspectives. Find quotations which show different dialects and
– subsequently – different perspectives.
Literary and Artistic Movements:
REALISM and REGIONALISM