1. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Context & Literary Elements

2. “All American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn…it’s the best book we’ve had.” –Earnest Hemingway

3. The Author
Huck Finn is considered Mark Twain’s (Samuel Clemens) masterpiece
Born 1835, died 1910
Grew up in Hannibal, Missouri
Took eight years to compose ( )
Was a vocal opponent of racism and imperialism
he first is that the name came from Twain's time on the riverboats, when the depth of "safe water" – two fathoms – was measured on a sounding line and indicated by calling "mark twain". The second explanation is that the name originated from his time in Nevada, when he would buy two drinks and ask the bartender to "mark twain" on his tab.

4. Historical Context Written 20 years after the Civil War
Story recounts pre-Civil War days when the controversy of slavery and free/slave states disfigured the face of America as a “land of the free”
Other 19th century reforms: Abolition, women’s Suffrage, utopian societies, prison and asylum reform, educational, political

5. Literary Elements: Vernacular & Dialect
H.F. is among the first pieces of American literature written in vernacular
Vernacular: Informal, everyday speech that is a variety of a language spoken by a particular group (sometimes cultural)
Dialect: variation of language spoken by a particular group; may differ in vocabulary, pronunciation, common expressions, spelling, speed and/or grammar
NOTE: Accent is often confused with dialect, but accent only refers to pronunciation
It’s important to distinguish between Huck’s voice and Twain’s use of that voice

6. Literary Elements: Picaresque Fiction
Usually a first-person narrative
Relating to the adventures of a rogue or low-born adventurer (picaro) as he drifts from place to place from one social setting to another in his effort to survive

7. Review of Satire Definition:
Uses ridicule of wit to attack human faults, vices, shortcomings, and follies with the intent of bringing about improvement
Usually meant to be humorous, but is also an attack on something of which the author/speaker strongly disapproves

8. Specific Satirical Strategies to look for in Huck Finn:
Caricature
Parody
Hyperbole
Also, note Twain’s use of understatements

9. Literary History: Romanticism to Realism
Romanticism: A reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature.
The movement validated strong emotion as an authentic source of aesthetic experience
Renaissance, the focus on learning for learning's sake
Baroque actually expressed new values, which often are summarized in the use of metaphor and allegory, widely found in Baroque literature, and in the research for the "maraviglia" (wonder, astonishment – as in Marinism), the use of artifices
An Age of Enlightenment (or simply the Enlightenment or Age of Reason) was a cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe, in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted science and intellectual interchange and opposed superstition,[1] intolerance and abuses in church and state.

10. Literary History: Romanticism to Realism
Realism: emphasis on themes, characters, and settings from a particular geographical region; often portrays a distinct region as having a homogeneous population
Realist authors opted for depictions of everyday and banal activities and experiences, instead of a romanticized or similarly stylized presentation

11. Literary History contd.
Regionalism: (aka “local color”) refers to fiction or poetry that focuses on specific features – including characters, dialects, customs, history, and landscape – of a particular region.

12. In Huck Finn:
According to the Oxford Companion to American Literature, there exists “the dual influence of romanticism and realism…from ordinary life to distant lands, strange customs, or exotic scenes, but retains through minute detail, a sense of fidelity and accuracy of description” (439).

13. Themes Freedom & Enslavement
Social Responsibility: Conformity & Civilization
Coming of Age & Search for Identity
Friendship & Betrayal
Christian religion vs. Superstition
Individual vs. Society
Man and the natural world
Family

14. Controversy Highly criticized since its publication
Often misread as a satirical text
Censorship: still being banned!