The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn study questions

1. Why do you suppose the author writes in so many different dialects? Does it make the book more or less enjoyable? Have you ever known someone who spoke with an accent different than your own?

2. Superstition seems to play a big role in the story. Do you think it helped or harmed Huck? Are you superstitious?

3. When Huck finds the canoe, he has to decide if he should hide it for himself or give it to his father. Why does he choose as he does? What would you have done in his place?

4. How does Huck finally get away from his father? Do you think he was right to run away? Have you ever tricked someone into believing something that wasn’t true?

5. When Huck arrives on Jackson’s Island, he faces a series of frightening events. First he nearly steps on a snake, and then he stumbles upon the site of a recent campfire. How does Huck react to these events? How would you have reacted? What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?

6. What does freedom mean to Jim? What does it mean to Huck?

7. Huck and Jim have different reasons for running away. Do you think one is more important than the other? Have you ever wanted to run away?

8. Why does Huck dress up as a girl to go into town? How does the old woman discover the truth? Have you ever been caught in a lie?

9. Huck seems to be good at making up stories. Why do you suppose people are so willing to believe him? What is the best story you’ve ever made up?

10. Huck has a strong sense of responsibility. Why do you think he felt responsible for the feud between the Shepherdsons and the Granderfords? Have you ever felt responsible for something that wasn’t your fault?

11. Huck says there’s no home like a raft. Do you agree? Where do you feel most at home?

12. Why does the Duke think that the line “Ladies and Children Not Admitted” will draw a large crowd to his show? Have you ever wanted to go somewhere you weren’t supposed to be?

13. Huck says that the best way to get along with people like the King and the Duke is to let them have their own way. Do you agree? Have you ever met anyone like the King or the Duke?

14. Why does Tom think Huck is a ghost? Do you believe in ghosts?

15. Huck seems to live by his own code. What do you think his code is? Do you have a code that you live by?

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