Preparing for the final exam.  These topics are for study only.  In order to do well on the in class easy you must be prepared, have notes and reviewed the book so you can support your ideas with details.

The questions for the essay will be worded quite differently so it does you no good to write your essay ahead of time or go to www. I cheated my way Through High School and I'm Proud of it/Huckfinn/html.com.

The only requirement is that the paper have an analytical approach, establish an argument about the book that you can support and incorporate one of the critical approaches (Historical-Autobiographical, Moral Philosophical, Myth Criticism (Jungian), Psychological (Freudian), Feminist or the New Critics.  You must use parenthetical references for your paper.  Failure to do so will result in minus 10%.

Review Critical Studies

Is Huck Finn an appropriate text for high school?. Focus on the last 12 chapters and the criticism of Julius Lester and Jane Smiley, either supporting or disagreeing with their ideas.  Be sure you can summarize accurately Smiley and Lester's arguments in an accurate, comprehensive way and then respond.  Most of the précis I saw missed the main points of both arguments.  The book might immoral and it could promote escapist unrealistic ideas.  Or perhaps, seen in a historical biographical context it is one man's satirical indictment of the human race and challenges students to confront their own knowledge of the 1840's and their implicit racism.

2. Ernest Hemingway says "All American literature came from Huck Finn" and by that he means the use of language as people spoke it and the realistic handling of previously taboo subjects (child abuse, hypocrisy in the South, ignorance and racism, friendship between an African American man and a white boy). Address Twain’s style and use of vernacular/colloquialisms that combined to satirize the social conventions of the 1840’s. Choose at least three historical subjects that he satirizes.  Give historical background on the subjects through research.  Focus on his use of imagery, word choice and use of irony.

3. Jim is/is not a fully developed, realistic African-American runaway slave from the 1840’s. If not, what possible reasons or failings did Twain show in not depicting him realistically.  If he is realistic explain why.

Some very good research and information on African Americans and Slavery can be found here:http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/huck/hucksg2.html

This site has four excellent source documents on the lives and experiences of slaves in the 1800's if you want to do some research for your essay.

4. Critics have suggested that Twain was a realist, writing about realistic social situations for that time. However he shows elements of being a transcendentalist (the river), and satirizes Puritanism. He also shows elements of, and satirizes Romanticism.

Discuss how Twain embraces or critiques these four literary movements in Huck Finn.  

Review Literary Movements

5. Julius Lester and Jane Smiley suggest that Huck and Jim’s experience on the river is a rationalization and unconscious suggestion to white Americans reinforcing their tendencies towards escape and ignorance towards racism. T.S. Elliot thinks of the river as a god and Huck as the archetypal "boy", undergoing a cleansing spiritual journey.

Using one form of criticism we studied (traditional, psychological, social-historical or mythological), examine what you think the river means and whether or not the book fulfills Lester's requirement for a moral novel. This could take the from of  a Freudian approach to the river and what it gives Huck.  Look at my web site for a summary of Freud's theories. 

6.  Read this  In your mind what was twain trying to do with writing Huck Finn?  In other words what argument was he making with the book?  be sure to take into account Twain's life, the historical context of the time and a little research into twain and his views on race.

Twains article "Only A Nigger" on the Lynching of Black Man."

Article on stoning of a Chinese Boy

7. Huck Finn: Transcendentalist Critique or Racist Apology?Based on your understanding of Transcendentalist and the Abolitionist movement, decide whether Huck Finn is Mark Twain’s critique of racism in the United States or a reinforcement of racist ideology. You must cite passages and examples from Huck Finn, as well as at least three of the web sites listed below.

Overview: In this WebQuest, you will explore and understand Transcendentalism, slavery, abolitionism, and the Underground Railroad. Then you will choose to explore one of two texts--Douglass's Narrative or Twain's Huck Finn. Based on your careful reading of your chosen text and the web sites you have explored, you will decide whether your chosen text reflects Transcendentalist principles.

Guiding Questions: As you explore the resources on this WebQuest, consider these questions: 1) in what ways can Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass be seen as a slave narrative written from a Transcendentalist perspective? And 2) is Huck Finn Mark Twain’s critique of racism in the United States or a reinforcement of racist ideology?

Step 1: Gain a basic understanding of Transcendentalism.

To begin your exploration of Transcendentalism, join Dr. Tate, Dr. Dwyer, and their students on a virtual tour of Transcendentalist America. Stop first in Boston, and then travel to Concord, the heart of Transcendentalism.