Ch. XXXI-XXXIV
1) Dramatic irony: How is Huck’s crisis of conscience and the decision he makes about Jim an example of dramatic irony?
Consider how he describes his decision to help Jim: “a low down thing,” “wicked,” and “a disgrace.”
• What about his statement, “All right, then, I’ll go to hell”? How do you think Twain intended the reader to regard Huck’s decisions?
• What does the reader know that Huck does not know?
• Does Huck’s belief that his actions and his decision to follow his heart are wrong make his decision braver? more noble? Explain.
2) Theme: Part of Twain’s artistry is to attack something while not appearing to be attacking it. Explain how he does this in Ch. 31.
• What white attitude of the time does Twain attack in Huck’s conversation with Aunt Sally in Ch. 32?
• What theme does this reinforce?
3) Theme: Continue to think about Twain’s message.
• How has Huck matured over the course of the novel? What actions and/or words indicate that Huck has grown up during this adventure? (specifically consider ch. 33)
• How does this change help contribute to a theme?
4) Characterization: Using evidence from Ch. 34, contrast Tom’s and Huck’s ideas of social morality.
• How does this contribute to the characterization of these two?
• Analyze the change in Huck’s character with the re-entry of Tom Sawyer into the story.
5) Tone: Tone is the attitude of the author toward the reader or the subject matter. It may be
• serious, playful, mocking, angry, commanding, apologetic, and so forth.
– How does the return of Tom to the story in these last chapters result in a shift of tone?
6) Mood: Mood is the atmosphere of the novel; it is how the reader feels while reading.
– How does the return of Tom to the story in these last chapters result in a shift of tone? ...