CLOSE READINGS OF CHAPTERS: (1-8)

Close Reading (Definition): In literary criticism, close reading describes the careful, sustained interpretation of a brief passage of text. Such a reading places great emphasis on the particular over the general, paying close attention to individual words, syntax, and the order in which sentences and ideas unfold as they are read.  Close reading is "essential" in creating an effective text-based literary analysis, forcing the writer to avoid generalizations and, oftentimes, summary.  It drives the writer beyond the obvious and into more thoughtful interpretations of the text.

Chapter 1:

            What is the effect of making Huck Finn the narrator?

What kind of narrator would you expect him to be (if you have read Tom Sawyer)?

How does this chapter set Huck up as both the narrator and the central character? What kind of character is he? 

Chapter 2:

What does the prank Tom and Huck play on Jim say about their attitude toward him, especially his fear of witches and magic?

Chapters 2 and 3:

            What differences between Tom and Huck does this chapter set up?

What is the relationship between reading/literature and real-life experience set up in this chapter?

-          Tom: ideals of book learning; romantic notions grounded in literature, art, culture

-          Huck: pragmatism, realism; he stands of the American west; averse to civilization and its fancy notions

-          Source of knowledge: “You don’t seem to know anything, somehow—perfect sap-head.” (Tom about Huck)

Could this chapter be Twain’s comment on the literature or reading practices of people (like Tom) at the time?

Even if you haven’t read Tom Sawyer, how do these chapters seem to distance Huck Finn, the novel, from it?

Chapter 3: What are the parallels between Huck and Jim, so far?

            Important: common belief in magic

Chapter 6:

-          Describe Huck’s treatment by his dad!  How does it parallel Jim’s life?

-          Huck’s escape: presaging Jim’s escape later on

Chapter 8: Huck on Jackson Island

            What literary, cultural, and archetypal analogies?  Significance?

            Doubling and parallelism between Huck and Jim!?