Huckleberry Finn : In Review
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Transcript of 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)