huckleberry finn : in review

HONORS/PRE-IB ENGLISH I I

MR. MOCCIA

Huckleberry Finn: In Review

Huck as Journey

If the novel is a journey, what sort of journey is it?

Moral journey – away from social to more universal ones

Journey of satire – journey through the major problems Twain sees in society

Coming of age journey: loss of innocence; Huck’s moral, social awakening – recognition of world’s flaws

Vernacular, Regionalism, and the Picaresque

Twain takes these three elements, categories, and devices and transforms them into literature

In doing so, he transforms people’s ideas of literature – and in the process, makes a very distinct mark on American literature

Slavery

What comment is Twain making about slavery? (Remember that slavery was already abolished when the novel was written and published.)

Critical of those still in favor of slaveryExtremely critical of the treatment of blacks

post-abolition – illogical laws

Racism

What is Twain saying about racism?Uses cognitive dissonance to show the

problems with racismSweet and good Christians can be racist The inhumanity of racism

Morality

What is Twain saying about morality?Judgmental of simply “accepting” society’s

moral values Appeals to a deeper sense of morality – a

morality that we can discover, but only if we’re empathetic and willing to step beyond social norms

Satire

What is being satirized?Suspicion of education,

adventure novels, modern aristocracy, laziness

The average person: ability to be manipulated; doesn’t think for him or herself; non-recognition of humanity of others (Sherburn; mobs)

Deeper Satire

Racism and Slavery

Violence “Human beings can

be awful cruel to one another” (Chapter 33)

Callousness Lack of moral-

mindedness

Socratic Irony

How is Socratic Irony used?Although Huck recognizes the humanity of

Jim, he never questions the legitimacy of his society’s values – in doing so, he reveals the illogical and inhumanity of his society

Socratic Irony

Why is Socratic Irony used?As a tool of satire, it is an effective tool – the

reader better recognizes the flaws of American society

Cognitive Dissonance

How is cognitive dissonance used?“discomfort”Huck’s “discomfort” in not handing Jim in –

but there would be “discomfort” if he handed him in

The situation reveals the contradiction

Continued

Secondary level: The reader feels “discomforted” in Huck not recognizing the issues with society

The last line (perhaps) points to Huck’s decision between the two

Jim

What do we is Jim’s purpose in the novel?Despite the stereotypical presentation of Jim,

and his apparent racism, one could argue he is the moral center of the novel

Examples?

Racist Novel?

So…do we think the novel is racist?

Main Overarching Theme?

Freedom From slavery From ignorance From social norms and morality (conscience)