Jestice/English 3
Final Exam Prep for Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Your final exam will consist of three parts:
1. December 14: An in-class essay, graded on in-class grading rubric (use quote
notecards).
2. Final’s Day: Multiple Choice comprehension on reading passages from Huck Finn or
about Huck Finn. (I hope you’re reading!)
3. Final’s Day: Multiple Choice grammar questions:
A. Verb tense consistency
B. Parallel structure
C. Commas
D. Semi-colons, Colons
E. Agreement
F. Who/Whom
G. That, which, who
H. Appropriate use of transitions
I. Concise word usage
J. Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices
K. Sentence Combining
We’ll continue to prepare in class, but the final essay, you must prepare for while you read-which also helps prepare for the final exam!
Allegory
Archetype
Motif
Symbol
Motifs lead the reader to theme.
YOUR JOB for the essay . . .
Directions:
1. Each student will be given an envelope with several close reading topics; choose three.
2. As you read Huck Finn, copy passages pertaining to your topic onto index cards or small
slips of paper and put them in the envelope. You should have 6 quotes per topic for a
total of 18 quotes. DUE on December 14--100 points. You will use these on your
essay.
3. On the front of the index card, write the quote; record the speaker and the page number
in MLA format after each quote you select.
4. On the back, write a full explanation of the quote in your words.
Jestice/English 3
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Envelope close reading activity, using motif and theme.
Motif Choices (Identify repeated symbols that lead to motifs that lead to theme)
Example: Raft=symbol of Huck’s Freedom. We see it over and over, which means it is a
motif. Eventually the raft is tied to Jim’s freedom. The raft becomes a motif (repeated
symbol) for the theme of freedom. Huck is white; Jim is a black slave. Twain’s point (the
theme)—people want freedom.
Example: Clothes=symbol of Nature or Civilization, depending what is being worn. We
see Huck change clothes depending on whether he is in nature or civilization. Clothes
become a motif (repeated symbol) for the theme of nature vs. civilization. Comfortable
clothes are closer to nature; starchy clothes are closer to civilization. Twain’s point (the
theme)—people like to be close to nature, which is closer to freedom.
Freedom/Slavery: (6 quotes plus explanations)
Escapes--much of the story involves escaping from one place / situation or another. Are
there similarities? Significance?
Slave owners and slaves – how are these people characterized? Are they all bad or are
some good? Are they developed characters or flat? Is Twain following societal
stereotypes or parodying them?
Huck’s mistreatment of Jim – how does Huck mistreat Jim? What does this say about
Huck? Is the behavior ever justified? How does Jim react? What does Huck realize?
Freedom vs. restriction – Where are the instances of either situation--significance?
Law vs. morality – where do the two conflict--significance? Who is on which side?
Friendship – how is friendship portrayed in the novel? Consider how Jim and Huck show
their friendship to each other. What do we learn about the characters?
What are the different kinds of freedom/bondage? Note on your quotes.
Gender Roles: (6 quotes plus explanations)
The female and male role in society: where is there mention of what a woman/man is
supposed to do or be? How is the character in question representative (or not) of the
role? Male/female conflict: Where is there a battle between the sexes? Who wins? How
do the winner and loser appear? Is there trickery involved? What is the implication?
Education: (6 quotes plus explanations)
Education – Who is educated? Who is not? What does this seem to do for the
characters? Of what studies does the education consist?
Some characters think book learning is more important than practical knowledge
from/about life experiences, and some characters think the opposite. Group your data
into these two categories. Then, make notes about which characters believe schooling is
more important and which characters believe practical knowledge from life experiences
is more important. What do you think Twain believed?
Jestice/English 3
Religion/Superstition: (6 quotes plus explanations)
Superstitions – What superstitions are mentioned? Who holds them? What is Twain
saying about people who believe?
Practicality vs. imagination – who is practical / down to earth? Who is flighty and / or
imaginative? What can you say about these characters?
Examples of “religious” behavior / commentary / rules, etc. Is the religious belief real or
pretense? Do the people so characterized actually show true piety?
Huck’s conscience – note Huck’s discussion of his crises of conscience. What is his
conflict? What can we learn about his goodness / immorality?
As you are reading, you will probably see that different characters in the book have
different opinions about religion, and through those characters, Twain also gives his
opinions. Categorize your data by characters. After you have done so, look at the
examples of what each character says or does relating to the theme of religion. What do
you think Twain’s view is? Most of the references to superstitions in the book are put
forth by Huck and Jim. Group your examples accordingly. Look at your examples, then,
for each character. What are Huck’s attitudes towards superstitions? What are Jim’s?
Nature/Civilization: (6 quotes plus explanations)
Descriptions of nature: How does Twain view nature through Huck’s eyes? What
philosophy does he reveal here?
Weather – how does weather figure as an antagonist? Are there any evidences of
Romanticism? Consider how the weather causes problems and/or aids Huck.
There is a basic conflict between nature and civilization. As you are reading, note what
kinds of things happen when the characters are in nature vs. away from civilization.
What happens to the characters when they are back in “civilization?” Judging from your
quotes, what do you think Twain was perhaps trying to tell readers about nature,
civilization, and people?
Hypocrisy/False Appearances: (6 quotes plus explanations)
Exaggeration – record events, dialogue, etc. where the characters exaggerate what is
happening, has already happened, or what is being described. What is the effect of the
hyperbole?
Contrast of opposites -- Where are there opposites juxtaposed? Look for free / slave,
good / bad, etc. Are there ironies apparent?
False appearances / lying: Who is not what he/she appears to be? Who presents a false
front to the world? Who blatantly lies? Look for connections between these people.
Hypocrisy: Who is behaving hypocritically? Where is there hypocrisy? Where do you
see someone not practicing what they would profess to believe? Are there any parallels?
Betrayal: Where does a character betray another? What do we learn about the betrayer?
How does the betrayed one react? What do we learn? Who is playing a con-game?
False identities – where are people assuming a false identity? What could we discover
about the situation and / or the character?