Chapter 32- End: The Exciting Escape!

This section is dripping with satire of romantic writers; which of Tom Sawyer's ideas did you find most ridiculous? Why do Huck and Jim go along with him? What do Huck's actions in this section reveal about his "journey" throughout the novel? (Has he grown or backtracked in this section?) Some critics (Hemingway included) love the book, but are unhappy with the end. Were you satisfied with the ending or do you agree with them? How does the tone of the ending contrast with the rest of the novel? How does the focus/emphasis shift? Are these positive or negative changes? How does Huck fare in the inherited prejudice vs. human dignity spectrum in this part? What are Huck's plans at the end of the novel? What does the last statement he makes tell you about him? How does it relate to a recurring theme in the novel?

Chapters 24-31: Conning the Conmen

What's your opinion of the duke and king at this point? What should Huck and Jim do about them? What do you think is the object of Twain's satrical barbs in the Wilks episode? What is Huck's major moral tranformation? What did you make of his exchanges and thoughts regarding Mary Jane? Could it be love? How does Twain develop the themes of truth vs. falsehood and appearance vs. reality here? Do you notice any irony or foreshadowing in this section? What else were you thinking as you read these chapters?

Chapters 17-23: A Little Land Action

Soooo, what did you make of the Grangerford episode? Did it remind you of anything? What do you think Twain is satirizing in this section? What do you make of the "duke" and "king"? Which of their antics do you find the most absurd, comical, and/or despicable? What function do you think they serve in the plot/narrative structure? How are they examples of satire? This section takes place mostly on land. Keeping in mind the theme of nature vs. civilization, what is Twain implying by the dark events that occur in this episode? Did you notice any examples of irony, parody, allusion, symbol, or possible foreshadowing? What do you think (or hope) will happen next?

Chapters 8-16: Rattlesnakes, Murderers, and Dense Fog- Oh My!

Esteemed ladies and gentlemen of this class, what advice do you have for Huck for the next time he is pretending to be a girl? (This is probably an easier question for the ladies of the class to address...)How has Huck been battling with his conscience in this section? (Specifically with the murderers and his thoughts about Jim...) What is Huck's internal conflict regarding Jim? How does the conflict illustrate the theme of inherited prejudice vs. respect for human dignity? What contrasts do you notice between natural life on the river and the "civilized" life of society in this section? Going along with the theme of truth vs. falsehood, what do you notice about Huck's lies? What does he lie about? In which situations are the results favorable? Which lies come back to haunt him? Do you see a pattern here?
*As always, you may choose to address any of these questions or float off in your own direction...(attempted river pun)

Huck Finn Begins! Chapters 1-7

After reading chapters 1-7, what are your impressions of the characters and style so far? Twain loves satire- what are the objects of his satirical gibes? Any ideas for possible themes? Have you noticed examples of irony, symbols, or possible foreshadowing? What do you think of Tom Sawyer? Huck's father? Judge Thatcher? What else could Twain be mocking through these characters? Is Huck himself a symbol for something else? Do you have any questions, predictions, or other comments about the novel so far? Inquiring minds want to know!

The Exciting Conclusion

Post your response to Chapter 20 through the end of the novel here. You may choose to write a reader's log, re-write the ending of the novel in a melodramatic fashion (think: Desperate Housewives), and/or discuss the conclusion of the novel. Did it end as you expected? Did you think the ending was fitting/appropriate? What is the "sweet moral blossom" (the theme/message) that Hawthorne promised us in chapter one? What symbols did you notice in the conclusion of the novel? Other thoughts, ideas, interpretations, and questions are always welcome. Post or turn in by Wednesday before class.

The Scarlet Scandal- I mean Letter- Reader's [B]Log

Post a response to chapters 13-19 here in the typical reader's log fashion. You may post your responses, questions, predictions, interpretations, and insights, etc. You may choose to address themes, symbols, characterization, or issues that you've been thinking about as you read the novel. As you've noticed, the text teems with symbolism, moral dilemmas, and irony, so those are always fair game also. You may also discuss Hawthorne's style, and/or the structure of the novel. Do you like the technique of withholding information from the reader and slowly revealing it through foreshadowing and discovery? What do you think will happen next? How will the characters extricate themselves from this complicated love triangle (which is perhaps more of a square/rectangle if Pearl is included)? What do you think would be a good ending for The Scarlet Letter? Write your own if you're feeling creative. If you're feeling really creative, write it like a modern day soap opera using Hawthorne's dialect.