Vocabulary

frauds – fakes

galluses – suspenders

galoot – slang for “fellow”

lineal – direct; in a line

phrenology – the practice of telling people’s fortunes by feeling the bumps on their heads

rank – foul-smelling

revival – religious meeting

1. This chapter opens by describing a typical 24-hour period in their lives. What is

described and what is the tone?

2. At one point, Huck and Jim seem to have a serious philosophical discussion about

whether the stars were made, created by a supreme being, or whether the universe was

the result of some kind of accident. What is Jim’s theory?

3. How does Huck meet the duke and the Dauphin?

4. What causes the elder man to claim royalty also?

5. What is Huck’s opinion of the two?

Chapter XX

Vocabulary

benefactors – those who help others

cipher – figure

concern – business; establishment

dissipating – spreading thin and eventually vanishing

haughty – proud

histrionic – theatrical; overly dramatic

mire – mud

sockdolager – exceptional blow

1. Critics say that Twain is satirizing excessive religious fervor in the camp-meeting

incident. What is your opinion? Is he satirizing it or simply describing it?

2. What has the duke done that will allow them to run the raft during daylight hours?

Chapter XXI

Vocabulary

blackguarding – insulting; talking badly about

bodkin – dagger

bray – make a sound like a donkey

illustrious – outstanding; famous

imperative – pressing; important and necessary

soliloquy – dramatic monologue

1. Hamlet’s soliloquy on page 136, as remembered by the duke, is a bunch of nicesounding

lines from several different Shakespearean plays jammed together, but they

mean nothing. What are some lines you recognize, and from what plays do they come?

2. At first, the town loafers seem to be lazy but good-hearted men. What do they do,

however, that seems cruel?

3. How do the townspeople describe Boggs? What happens to Boggs?

Chapter XXII

Vocabulary

acquit – dismiss from charges

camelopard – giraffe

nonesuch – a person or things without an equal

sot – drunk

1. What does Col. Sherbourne say about “the average man”?

2. This is probably Twain’s bitterest attack on people. Do you think Twain believes that

people are as bad as Sherbourne says they are? Do you agree with Sherbourne’s

comments on people?

3. The business with the drunk, who turns out to be a trick rider, fools the crowd at first.

In the end, who is the only one that Huck thinks had been fooled?

4. After their first show fails, the duke plans a second show. Why does he think his last

line on the playbill will really draw the crowd?

Chapter XXIII

Vocabulary

greenhorns – inexperienced or unsophisticated people

indifferent – unconcerned

rapscallions – rascals

shines – tricks; capers

1. Why does the crowd that attends the Royal Nonesuch show tell everyone else in town

that it is a good show?

2. Huck tells Jim about kings and gets some of his facts straight, but some are totally

wrong. What one opinion of Huck’s (and probably Twain’s) comes across clearly?

3. Why is Huck surprised that Jim cares so much for his children?

4. What story does Jim tell that is filled with sentimentality and sadness?

Chapter XXIV

Vocabulary

duds – clothes

rip – libertine

yawl – a small boat

1. Find the paradox on page 155.

2. Where does the king get all his information about the Wilks family?

3. Huck concludes this chapter by saying, “It was enough to make a body ashamed of the

human race.” (Pg. 159) To what is he referring?

Chapter XXV

Vocabulary

lingo – slang for “language”

obsequies – funeral rites

passel – large number

sanctified – made sacred

vale – world

1. In this chapter Twain has his characters misuse two words, “diseased” and “orgies.”

What words should the character have used?

2. On page 162 what is Huck referring to when he says, “I never see anything so

disgusting”?

3. How does the king try to cover his mistaken use of the word “orgies”?

4. Who challenges all the nonsense?