Huck+Finn+Film+Questions

__Mark Twain PBS Video by Ken Burns__
Answer the following questions. (Caron)
 * 1) The film defends //The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn// as a non-racist novel. Briefly discuss at least three ideas that are presented (including the opinions of the scholars) which highlight the significance of the book as a breakthrough for the United States and its people.
 * 2) Twenty years had passed since Mark Twain took a trip up and down the Mississippi River. What did Twain learn after taking a trip up and down the Mississippi River?
 * 3) What is the importance of the line, "Alright, then, I'll go to hell"? How does it address the "solidarity of the human race"?
 * 4) How does Huck Finn's "race and space" make for an original American literature? What had Twain included in his writing that other American writers had not?
 * 5) Put at least one note that you took.

__Answers__
1. Jim is eventually transformed from a slave to a human being. It shows the compassion for slaves despite the fact that some thought slaves could not feel as white people could. Also the novel shows how Jim protects Huck and allows him to mature and grow under the right kind of father figure, which shows him love and compassion even when Huck is doing wrong. 2. He learned of the slaves and their lifestyles, also their troubles with separation, etc. 3. The line depicts Huck being a fearless boy, he did believe that he was going to hell for breaking the law and helping a slave escape. Huck did not say it as a literal statement, he thought of it as literal. Showing his returned compassion for Jim. 4. This novel was the first to use coarse, rough, natural language and depict the harsh language used towards some people, especially those of color. It is also the first to actually confront the issue of race and racial differences. All of this is spread throughout America, it covers the land and shares with everyone the issues at hand. 5. Jim was the first African American character in a novel that became a human being. (A.J.)