All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn Ernest Hemingway Racism amp Slavery written after Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery but time period of story set during slavery ID: 681794
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Slide1
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
"All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn" Ernest Hemingway Slide2
Racism & Slavery
written after Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery, but time period of story set during slavery during
Reconstruction
,
a less institutionalized form of slavery existed in the South (Jim Crow laws)allegorical portrayal of conditions of “Blacks” in U.S. after end of slaverySlide3
Hypocrisy of “Civilized” Society
Society’s laws (Miss Watson and Widow Douglas) vs. higher moral values (Huck and Jim)Rules and precepts that reflect faulty logic
Civilized vs. Natural
A “just” society that condones slavery
Unsteady justice is blinded by cowardice, prejudice, and a lack of common senseSeemingly good and just characters are slave-ownersHypocrisy of “civilized” society which values morality, but condones slaverySlide4
Freedom
importance of individual thinking and ideasescaping an illogical and oppressive societyMississippi River as a safe havenslavery vs. libertyoutcasts labeled by citizens (
mob mentality
) are arguably the only truly free charactersSlide5
Food
Food plays a prominent role in the novel. In Huck's childhood, he often fights pigs for food, and eats out of "a barrel of odds and ends." *Thus, providing Huck with food becomes a symbol of people caring for and protecting him. For example, in the first chapter, the Widow Douglas feeds Huck, and later on Jim becomes his symbolic caretaker, feeding and watching over him on Jackson's Island. Slide6
Mockery of Religion
A theme Twain focuses on quite heavily on in this novel is the mockery of religion. Throughout his life, Twain was known for his attacks on organized religion.
Huck Finn's sarcastic character perfectly situates him to deride religion, representing Twain's personal views.
In the first chapter, Huck indicates that hell sounds far more fun than heaven.
Slide7
Superstition
Superstition appears throughout the novel. Generally, both Huck and Jim are very rational characters, yet when they encounter anything slightly superstitious, irrationality takes over. The power superstition holds over the two demonstrates that Huck and Jim are child-like despite their apparent maturity.
In addition, superstition foreshadows the plot at several key junctions.
For instance, when Huck spills salt, Pap returns, and when Huck touches a snakeskin with his bare hands, a rattlesnake bites Jim.
Slide8
Maturation and Development
BildungsromanA moral coming of age story. being open-minded is a quality that Huck represents, as a child, which allows for his development and maturation
Huck’s relationship with Jim assists his progression throughout the novel
Huck’s experiences and apprehension about society help lead to his maturity
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Symbols
The Mississippi Rivera source of freedom; a safe havenLifeconfluence of all currents of American life in the first half of the nineteenth century The Land
Real vs. Ideal (the river)
Raft
tool for escapesafe place Moneyseparates the civilized from the “outcasts”Slide11
Terms to know:
Emancipation ProclamationReconstructionJim Crow Lawsallegorysuperstition
mob mentality
Bildungsroman
hypocrisyironydialectparody