1. Why does Huck start to feel remorse about this hoax in which he has become

involved?

2. Despite the doctor nearly spoiling the plan, the king is still confident. Why?

3. What would you suppose Twain’s opinion of the human race is at the time he wrote

these passages?

1. Where does Huck hide the bag of gold?

2. Who do the king and duke believe have taken the gold?

1. Why does Huck tell Mary Ann the truth?

me think a minute; and she set there, very impatient and excited and handsome, but looking

kind of happy and eased-up, like a person that’s has a tooth pulled out. So I went to studying it

out. I says to myself, I reckon a body that ups and tells the truth when he is in a tight place is

taking considerable resks, though I ain’t had no experience, and can’t say for certain; but it

looks so to me, anyway; and yet here’s a case where I’m blest if it don’t look to me like the

time or other, it’s so kind of strange and unregular. I never see nothing like it. Well, I says to

myself at last, I’m a-going to chance it; I’ll up and tell the truth this time, though it does seem

most like setting down on a kag of powder and touching it off just to see where you’ll go to.”

(Pgs. 181-182)

The above quotation explains a great deal about Huck’s increasing maturity and

understanding of morality, as well as his keen observations. What is explained?

1. Chapters 27, 28, and 29 move along quickly and hold the reader’s attention. Why?

2. At the end of this chapter why is Huck first elated, then depressed?

1. What does the duke remind the king of?

2. Why does the king confess that he is the one who stole the gold and put it in the

coffin?

3. What single incident proves the king and duke to be nearly as stupid as the

townspeople?

1. What is Huck’s reaction when he learns that the duke and the king sold Jim for $40?

2. Why is Huck’s conscience troubled in this chapter?

3. Part of Twain’s artistry is to attack something while not appearing to be attacking it.

Explain how he does this in this chapter.