The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Summer Reading Quiz

 

Section I: Reading

Briefly answer each of the questions and show that you read the novel.

  1. How does Huck escape from his father’s cabin?
  2. Why does Huck feel so guilty about putting the rattlesnake on Jim’s bed?
  3. How does Jim get his freedom?
  4. Why do Huck and Jim call the con men the Duke and the King (Dauphin)? How do they finally escape them?
  5. Why does Huck leave the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons?
  6. Why does Mary Jane Wilks’ sister, the harelip, ask Huck so many questions about his church in Sheffield and where he sits and why he sits there, etc.
  7. How do the Duke and the King (Dauphin) escape from the Wilks situation?

 

Section II: Analysis

When you argue your opinion or interpret the novel, be sure to use specific examples from the text.

  1. Analyze how Huck has changed by the end of the novel.
  2. Compare and contrast Jim and Huck.
  3. What social commentary does Twain convey through this novel? (i.e. What is his opinion of southern society?). Be specific.
  4. Analyze the symbolism of the river in the novel.
  5. Briefly describe and critique the ending of the novel. Argue your opinion.
  6. Is the tone of Huckleberry Finn humorous, cynical, scathing, or depressing? Explain.
  7. Explain the context and reflect on the following quotation:

“When I got all wore out wid work, en wid callin' for you, en went to sleep, my heart wuz mos' broke bekase you wuz los;, en I didnt' k'yer no mo' what become er me en de raf'. En when I wake up en fine you back agin', all safe en soun;, de tears come en I could a got down on my knees en kiss yo' foot I's so thankful. En all you wuz thinkin 'bout wuz how you could make a fool of ole Jim wid a lie.”

 

  1. Explain the context and reflect on the following quotation:

“I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before.”

 

  1. Explain the context and reflect on the following quotation:

“All right then, I’ll go to hell!”