Read!

Attempt to read up to and including Chapter 22.  Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!

Journal #39

Choose one of the two journal prompts:

1.) The elopement of Harney and Sophia is reminiscent of the plot of Romeo and Juliet.  What other characteristics and elements of this episode resemble Shakespeare’s play?  The feud has been called a satire of the Civil War as well.  In a short writing, argue for or against the effectiveness of this satire.

2.) In the quotation provided below, Huck exhibits symptoms of what is now called PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder.  In a short writing argue for or against this diagnosis, considering how many deaths Huck has encountered by Chapter 18.

“I ain’t a-going to tell all that happened—it would make me sick again if I was to do that.  I wished I hadn’t ever come ashore that night to see such things.  I ain’t ever going to get shut of them—lots of times I dream about them” (116). 

Remember study for the vocabulary quiz tomorrow and read Chapter 19 of Huck Finn. 

Huckleberry

READ!
Continuing reading and taking notes on Huck Finn through chapter 18 to be completed by Tuesday.  Be ready to discuss chapters 15 & 16 in depth on Monday.

The Picaresque Novel

For those who missed class today (Monday, March 11th) we began discussing the characteristics of a Picaresque novel or narrative and how Huck Finn meets the criteria.  Below you will find the details of a Picaresque novel.  Continue reading Huck Finn you should have through chapter 16 (pg. 65)  by Thursday.

Picaresque Novel:

The picaresque novel (Spanish: "picaresca," from "pícaro," for "rogue" or "rascal") is a popular sub-genre of prose fiction which is usually satirical and depicts, in realistic and often humorous detail, the adventures of a roguish hero of low social class who lives by his wits in a corrupt society. This style of novel originated in sixteenth century Spain and flourished throughout Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It continues to influence modern literature.

Seven Characteristics:

Seven qualities distinguish the picaresque novel or narrative form. All or some of these may be employed for effect by the author. (1) A picaresque narrative is usually written in first person as an autobiographical account. (2) The main character is often of low character or social class. He or she gets by with wit and rarely deigns to hold a job. (3) There is no plot. The story is told in a series of loosely connected adventures or episodes. (4) There is little if any character development in the main character. Once a picaro, always a picaro. His or her circumstances may change but rarely result in a change of heart. (5) The picaro's story is told with a plainness of language or realism. (6) Satire is a prominent element. (7) The behavior of a picaresque hero or heroine stops just short of criminality. Carefree or

HUCK FINN

Keep reading y'all...
For Monday read up to and including Chapter 11.

Click here to view the original illustrations that accompanied the novel.

Huck Finn: Journey Underway

Young Elijah Wood as Huck!

Our journey along the Mississippi will officially begin tomorrow ladies and gentlemen.  Be ready for plenty of Twain-esque humor and a healthy portion of satire to help frame quite possibly one of the most important novels in American Literature.
Please READ:  
Up to and including chapter 5 for Wednesday's class.
Up to and including chapter 8 for Friday's class.

Also the vocabulary quiz will now be on Thursday.

New words:
Surreptitious- secret; stealthy
Bowdlerize- to remove offensive passages of a play, novel, etc.
Victuals- food