Focus+Questionss

1. I believe Twain put this NOTICE in the book in order to make fun of those that find this book out of line or in appropriate for, in its time, Huck Finn was written in a very modern style an may not have been accepted by some.

2. The book's 43 chapters can absolutely be organized into categories based on the happenings within each chapter. Each has a distinct action filled event or none at all and the ones with one can most definitely be organized into groups.

3. Huck’s first decision is when he chooses to stick beside Jim and in a sense protect him. He becomes attached to Jim even though he is aware of the consequences of aiding a runaway.

4. When Huck and Jim go past the mouth of the Ohio River in the fog, their plan to sell there goods and boarding the steamboat are spoiled. This was a trick induced by Huck to cover up his losing of the canoe. The entire trip is a bit ironic for they travel south into the heart of slavery.

5. Huck and Jim are sent further south as they pass the mouth of the Ohio River due to extreme “pea soup” fog. This continuation of southern travel is indicative of less than genius captains and creates further implications on their journey to free Jimbo.

6. The traversing from land to river is a common event through the story. It symbolizes different techniques of survival and each has traits in concealing the two when the time comes.

7. The King and the Duke are con artists and they find themselves riding the raft with Huck and Jim. These thieves use Huck and Jim to partake in their dishonest acts and all they can do is comply for fear of being exposed.

8. Tom, the King and the Duke all treat Jim as a slave. This is partly due to the fact that Jim is black and that he was once a slave, yet the King and the Duke mainly use Jim for economic benefits while Tom on the other hand used Jim as a mere minion in his plan to become a hero.

9. Huck is found in danger many a time and one of the first was a threat induced by Pap. Pap physically abuses poor Huck and this leads to the faking of his own death. In doing this Huck is freed from his drinking father. He uses this technique of “running away” numerous times throughout the adventure.

10. The ending is pushing the grasps of reality in that for the 3 to come upon the same place is quiet incredible. Then the farm turns out to be Huck’s best friends Uncle and Aunt which all seems a bit fishy and farfetched.

11. I find Tom Sawyer to be quiet an interesting character in that he has such a huge imagination. He may not be the sharpest crayon in the Crayola box yet his enthusiasm for great plans and schemes is interesting. I believe Jim and Huck had a very attainable goal yet Sawyer had to complicate everything with his absurd stratagems.

12. Tom was cruising for a broozing and for him to finally pay for his outrageous schemes is a relief. He seems to always lead everyone into events way over their head and then he is empty handed in the end when the consequences start emerging.

13. I say who cares if it’s a lie because its one of the greatest stories ever. I think that we must trust him to become enveloped into the story and discover its vast adventures and feel it’s true meanings however we perceive the book.