Huck Finn Study Guide

How did Tom and Huck become rich?

They recovered 6,000 in gold

Why does Huck lose interest in Moses?

Moses is dead and Huck is only interested in the living

What is the "good place" to which Miss Watson keeps referring?

Heaven

Name the figurative language used in "the wind was trying to whisper something to me

Personification

In his stories, what does Jim tell people about his five-cent piece?

The Devil gave it to him

What idea is it that Huck and his friends don't fully understand?

Ransom

What is Huck's reaction to the widow's prayer?

He takes it seriously and goes off to the forest to think about it

Whose idea of the after-life foes Huck favor?

The widow's

Which people did Huck and Tom intend to ambush?

Arabs

What is unusual about the tracks that Huck finds in the snow?

There is a cross in the left boot heel

What does Huck do with his money?

He signs the entire amount to Judge Thatcher

What is the oracle that Jim consults?

A hairball

Why is father annoyed with Huck in chapter 5?

He doesn't like Huck's airs, nor does he like Huck being educated

Which of these statements is closest to a description of Huck's father?

He has a white face, long greasy beard and dark black eyes

Who gives new clothes to Pappy?

The new Judge

In what way is Huck's time with his father spoiled?

His father beats him frequently

How does Huck escape from the bacon he has been locked in for three days?

He saws his way out

As he chases Huck around the cabin, brandishing a knife, what does Pappy call his son?

The Angel of Death

What explanation does Huck give for having the gun in his hands?

He tells his father that someone was trying to break into the cabin

How many logs worth selling do Pap and Huck find?

Nine

What does Huck do with the canoe when he reaches Jackson's Island?

He conceals it under willow branches

Why are loaves of bread floating down the river?

People believe that bread dabbed in quicksilver will float to a corpse

Where does Huck go to cook his supper in Chapter 8?

The Illinois bank of the river

How does Jim react when he first sees Huck in Chapter 8?

He is frightened and genuinely believes that Huck is a ghost

Where, on the island, do Huck and Jim hide their belongings?

In a cavern

How is Jim alerted to the coming lightning storm?

He has an astute observation of birds

Why do Huck and Jim leave the baby's bottle in the house?

It is broken

What action does Jim fear brings bad luck?

Touching a snake's skin

How does Huck's practical joke on Jim backfire?

Jim is bitten by an actual snake

Why are Huck and Jim unable to land the catfish they caught?

The fish is too enormous for them to handle

What explanation does Sara/Mary Williams give for her journey?

She has to tell Uncle Abner that her mother is ill and out of money

What first alerts Mrs.Loftus to the fact that Sarah/Mary is a boy?

Huck does not thread a needle in a feminine way

What news does Mrs. Loftus give Huck regarding his murder?

Jim is a suspect

How do Huck and Jim first conceal themselves on the Illinois shore?

They hide in a cottonwood thicket

How does Huck augment his diet of river fish and shot waterfowl?

He steals chickens and raids gardens for things like watermelons

How do Huck and Jim enter the wrecked ship?

Through the forward skylight

Why do the murderers defer leaving in the skiff?

They want to get Turner's share of the money

What is the name of the sunken steamer?

The Walter Scott

What convinces the ferry captain to investigate the sinking ship>

Huck's story of a good financial reward

In Chapter 13, what is Jim's attitude to the adventure he and Huck have just experienced?

Negative,he did not enjoy it

What forms the basis of the humorous conversation in Chapter 14?

Huck's garbled retelling of the matter he has just read about

What word should Huck have used instead of "dolphin"?

Dauphin

Why do Huck and Jim find themselves riding the river through the thick fog in Chapter 15?

The sapling they used as a mooring is not strong enough to hold the raft

What is one symbol that the fog represents?

Journeying into the unknown

What separates Jim and Huck in the fog?

A large island

Why is Huck feeling "mean and miserable" in Chapter 15?

He is troubled by his conscience

In Jim's eyes how is Huck different?

Jim says Huck is the only "white" person who has ever honored a promise to him

What calamity befalls Huck and Jim at the end of Chapter 16?

The raft is destroyed in a collision with a large steamboat

What is the alias Huck uses at the Grangerfords?

George Jackson

Where had the Grangerfords beautiful oil table cloth come from?

PhiladelphiA

Who was allowed to sleep in Emmeline Grangerfords room?

Noone

How was Colonel Grangerford attired on Sundays?

In a blue tailcoat with brass buttons on it

What is the origin of the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shephersons?

No one knows, it has been too long

Where does Huck take refuge during the gunfight after Sophia's elopement?

In a tree

How can a snag in the river be recognized?

Through the appearance of a streak in the water

Who says "It is lovely to live on a raft"?

Huck Finn

Why does Huck take a canoe up a 'chute' in Chapter 19?

To find some berries

According to what Huck tells the King and the Duke, where did his parents come from?

Pike County in Missouri

Why are the streets of the 'one horse town' empty?

Most people have gone to the camp meeting

How has Jim been attempting to test the authenticity of the King's story?

By trying to get him to speak French

What doesnt the Duke like about the portrayal of Juliet?

He is bellowing when he should be speaking softly

Which encores does the Duke suggest in Chapter 21?

The Highland fling, the sailors hornpipe and Hamlet's soliloquy

What has been bringing many people to town in Chapter 21?

A circus

Which alias does the Duke adopt for the performance?

An actor called David Garrick the Younger

Where does Colonel Sherburn stand to protect himself in Chapter 22?

On the roof of his front porch

What is the main accusation Colonel Sherburn levels at the crowd?

Cowardice

Who is responsible for tending the door on the night of the special performance in Chapter 23?

The Duke

How do they all make good their escape from the villagers in Chapter 23?

They sneak back to the raft and set off down the river

What does Jim confide to Huck in Chapter 23?

That he didnt realize that scarlet fever had made his daughter deaf and punished her for not obeying him

What does Huck call "the horriblest outrage I ever see"?

Jim dressed up and painted as a sick Arab

Who is the servant, Adolphus?

Huck Finn

What was Peter Wilk's occupation?

Tanner

In contrast to the expressions of grief acted by the King and the Duke, what does Huck view as a good thing?

Music

Why isnt Lawyer Bell present in Chapter 25?

He is on business in Louisville

What are yallarboys?

Gold coins

Who pumps Huck for information about England?

Joanna

How does Huck give himself thinking time when questions about England become awkward?

He pretends to choke on a chicken bone

Why is Huck pleased he chose to hide behind the curtain and not under the bed in Chapter 26?

Because the first thing the Duke does is look under the bed

Where does Huck hide the money in Chapter 27?

In Peters coffin

Who has "no more smile to him than there is to a ham"?

The undertaker

What is the source of the commotion in the cellar in Chapter 27?

A dog that has found a rat

What happens two days after the funeral?

The King puts the property and slaves up for sale

When the King questions him in Chapter 27, what lie does Huck tell?

He claims that "the ******s were in the Kings room

Why is Huck worried when the coffin lid is screwed on?

He doesnt know whether or not the bag of money is still in the coffin

Hucks narrative includes the words: "but i was over the shoal water now" This is an example of what sort of figurative language?

Metaphor

Who is the other person Huck tells Mary Jane in Chapter 28 would be in big trouble?

Jim

Why does Huck want Mary Jane to leave before breakfast?

He knows the expression on her face will show the King that she is onto them

What illness is supposed to be a problem at the Proctors?

Mumps

Who suggests telling Uncle Harvey about Mary Jame and the mumps?

Joanna

In Chapter 28, where was the auction held?

In the public square

What injury has the real William Wilks sustained?

A broken arm

In Chapter 29, how does the King claim he arrived in the town?

On the Susan Powell from Cincinnati

Who keeps hold of Hucks hand in Chapter 29?

The doctor

Where does the King lay the blame for the missing money?

The slaves from the Wilks household

How does the doctor rate Huck as a liar?

Poorly

For what reason is Peter Wilks body to be exhumed?

To see if there is a tattoo on his chest

What excuse does Huck give the King for his flight from the cemetery?

He claims that he was warned and could be hanged

In Chapter 30, what do the King and Duke accuse each other of doing?

Hiding the money in the coffin

What makes Huck squirm in Chapter 30?

Hearing his lie about the Wilks slave being repeated

What does the Duke threaten to do to the King if he lies again?

To drown him

What does the King do after his confession?

He retired to the wigwam with a bottle

How soon do the King and Duke make up their quarrel in Chapter 30?

In half an hour

How does Huck describe the Spanish moss he sees?

Like long gray beards

Which characters are dreadfully blue and desperate in Chapter 31?

The King and Duke

Which character leaves the raft to check out Pikesville?

The King

How did the King obtain the money to get drunk?

He sold Jim as a runaway slave

Where does Huck hide the raft in Chapter 31?

At the woody island in the river

Where will Huck be able to find Jim?

At the Phelps farm

What kind of enterprise does the Phelps family have?

A cotton plantation

What does Huck think is 'the lonesomest sound in the whole world"?

The hum of a spinning wheel

According to Huck, what delayed his steamer?

It blew a cylinder head

In Chapter 32, who does Huck say gave him breakfast?

The steamboat Captain

Why is Silas Phelps scared?

He thinks something dreadful has happened to the boat

Why does Huck say in Chapter 32 that he needs to make a trip to town?

To collect his baggage

Why does Tom Sawyer say "H'aint ever done you no harm"?

He thinks Huck is a ghost come to haunt him

What secret does Huck share with Tom in Chapter 33?

That he is trying to steal Jim out of slavery

Who built Silas Phelps church?

He built it himself

Who is the stranger from Hicksville?

Tom Sawyer

Who is Aunt Sally's sister?

Tom's mother

Why didn't Huck mind Uncle Silas long blessing?

The food was so good

Who works out that Jim is confined in the ash hopper?

Tom Sawyer

What are the clues that there is someone in the ash hopper?

There's a lock on the door and watermelon is taken in there at suppertime

What doesn't Tom Sawyer like about Huck's plan for releasing Jim?

It is too simple

Select the set of character traits that Tom Sawyer is shown to have in Chapter 34?

Imaginative, brave, true to his word, innovative and romantic

How does Huck re-enter the house in Chapter 34?

Through the back door

What is the slave guard afraid of?

Witches

According to Tom, what is the problem with Jim's captivity?

Difficulties have to be invented

What is the problem with Jim keeping a journal?

He cannot write

How does Jim receive his food while in captivity?

On a pan

According to Tom, how long did it take the Marseilles prisoner to dig out and where did he emerge?

Thirty seven years to dig his way to China

What does Huck see behind the smokehouse in Chapter 35?

An old rusty saw

In Chapter 35, what does Tom instruct Huck to do?

Steal three knives

How do Huck and Tom exit the house in Chapter 36?

Down the lightning rod

What time is it when the boys become too tired to carry on?

Around midnight

With the case-knives not working what does Tom then choose for digging tools?

Picks

Why cant Tom get back up the lightning rod?

His hands are too sore

At what point do Huck and Tom enter Jims cabin?

Under his bed

What sociable activity do Jim and the boys share in Chapter 36?

Smoking corncob pipes

Where was Aunt Sally's apron in Chapter 37?

Hanging on a chair

Why is Aunt Sally cross in Chapter 37?

She cant find a shirt belonging to Uncle Silas

In Chapter 37, what does Uncle Silas promise to do the next day?

Stop up the rats holes

What falls out of Uncle Silas hat?

A shingle nail

What "relict" do the boys procure from the garret in Chapter 37?

A brass warming pan

What does Jim throw out the window in Chapter 37?

A tin plate

Why is Jim initially confused about getting a coat-of-arms?

He thinks its clothing

How many mottoes does Tom devise for Jim's coat of arms?

Four

What is the problem with Jim being imprisoned in a log cabin?

There is no rock for him to trace his coat-of-arms

Which animal does Tom suggest Jim might tame?

A rattlesnake

What suggests that Jim is only paying along with the two boys in their outrageous escape plan?

He threatens to leave if he had to put himself in physical danger

According to Tom, how do prisoners always water their plants?

With their tears

Where do Huck and Tom obtain a wire rat trap?

They buy it in the village

What types of snakes of Huck and Tom catch?

Garter snakes and house snakes

Why isn't Jim able to sleep in Chapter 39?

He is disturbed by the animals activity

Why is there no reply to the letters Uncle Silas sends the plantation owners?

The plantation does not exist

Why does Huck dress as a servant girl?

Tom persuades him that the anonymous letters must be delivered by a servant girl

Where does Tom leave an anonymous letter?

At the back of the nexk of a sleeping slave

Who dresses in Aunt Sally's clothes in Chapter 40?

Tom

How many gun-toting farmers were in the sitting room in Chapter 40?

Fifteen

For Huck, what is the effect of the farmers visits and Aunt Sally's questions?

He is scared and confused

What does Aunt Sally think is wrong with Huck in Chapter 40?

He has brain fever

What is Toms reaction when he hears that there are men with guns after the gang?

He is excited and energized

Why was it ineffective to set the dogs on the gang in Chapter 40?

The dogs knew the boys and Jim

How does Huck explain Toms wound to the Doctor in Chapter 41?

He says Tom kicked a gun in his sleep, during a dream

The doctor uses the word "singular", in context what does this word mean?

Unusual

What explanation for Toms absence does Huck give Uncle Silas in Chapter 41?

He says Tom has gone to the blacksmiths to see what is going on

What is Mrs. Hotchkiss's opinion of Jim?

He is crazy

What does Huck confess to Aunt Sally in Chapter 41?

That he and Tom had escaped via the lightning rod

What is Aunt Sally doing when Huck again escapes down the lightning rod?

Sleeping

How does Tom arrive back at the Phelps farm in Chapter 42?

Carried on a matttress

Where is Aunt Sally's calico dress in Chapter 42?

Its being worn by Jim

What prevents Jim from being hanged?

Financial considerations- they'd have to pay his owner for him

Why is Huck "mighty thankful to the old doctor"?

Because he spoke up for Jim

Who does Tom say almost spoiled their adventure?

Aunt Sally

What distance has Aunt Polly traveled to check up on Tom?

Eleven hundred miles

How had Tom planned to compensate Jim for the problems he caused him?

To have further river adventures and have a brass band procession

Why is Jim lavishly fussed over by the aunts?

They discover how wonderful Jim was in helping the doctor care for Tom

In what way does Jim think his prophecy of riches has been fulfilled?

He has received $40 from Tom

Why does Huck think he has no money left?

He imagines his father has obtained the money from Judge Thatcher and spent it all on drink

What secret does Jim reveal in the end of the book?

That Huck's father was the dead man in the floating house

Why will Huck be the first to go into Indian territory?

Because he wants to escape Aunt Sally's plans to adopt him and civilize him