Chapter 27
Group 5
Summary
Close Reading Examples
"It injured the frauds some; but the old fool he bulled right along, spite of all the duke could say or do, and I tell you the duke was powerful uneasy," (Twain 186). Huck shows that the two thieves know they are close to being caught because of everything that has gone wrong. They are starting to realize that their plan may not be carried out due to the mishap of losing the money. This allows the reader to see that people are eventually caught in their games and exposed. The appeal is things are working out in Huck's favor to the point that he could get away and save Jim without having to worry about the two thieves popping back up and getting in the way. The reader wants to continue reading due to the suspense and mystery set up during this chapter.
Imagery:
"I tucked the money-bag in under the lid, just down beyond where his hands was crossed, which made me creep, they was so cold, and then I run back across the room and in behind the door." (Twain 182) clearly explains the purpose of death and how it makes Huck feel. It sets his attitude for the rest of the chapter because of the sadness it causes especially when he sees how upset the girls are, "Them poor things was that glad and happy it made my heart ache to see them getting fooled and lied to so, but I didn’t see no safe way for me to chip in and change the general tune," (Twain 185). The imagery allows the reader to see the events which also allows them to see how Huck's plan is being put into play to expose the conmen. The attitudes, the con itself, and how Huck is feeling sets up the plot for the following chapter, as well as shows how Huck is able to fool the conmen in order to keep himself alive so he can save and free Jim. This shows an appeal to the emotional state of the reader allowing them to sympathize with the girls leading to him/her agreeing that the conmen need to be exposed and arrested for their crimes.
Conflict:
"and I might get catched—catched with six thousand dollars in my hands that nobody hadn’t hired me to take care of." (Twain 183) shows the main conflict of the chapter due to Huck taking the money, causing suspicion as to where the money went, as well as how to get it back. This is appealing due to the fact that it sets up curiosity as to what is going to happen, and whether or not the money is going to be found. The entire chapter is about Huck's conflict, both internally and externally, about the money and trying to get the thieves caught so they could not scam the girls. This shows Huck's respect towards women by showing his sympathy for the girls, especially Mary Jane due to his attraction to her.
Hypothesis of Purpose
How the Purpose is Achieved and Works in Context of the Entire Novel
Discussion Questions
If Tom was present, do you think Huck would have handled the situation differently?
What has influenced Huck’s moral reasoning to take the money? Should Huck have kept the money? Should he have given it to Jim, how would the novel change?
Huck is quick on his feet to come up with lies. What does this say about his morality? When is it right or wrong to lie?
If and when the con men get caught, do you think they would turn in Jim?
If the con men kept the money, would they leave Jim and Huck? If that was the case, should Huck have let them keep the money?
Citations
Twain, Mark. The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn. Chatto & Windus / Charles L. Webster And Company, 1884. Print.