Huck Discussion Questions XXIV - XXVII

1. The appearance of Jim as a sick Arab shows the theme of dehumanization. The new clothes the king and duke get represent the theme of appearance vs. reality and gullibility.

2. The prior schemes played by the duke and king were less personal, less apt to emotionally ruin people, and were played on less innocent and kind people than the townspeople of Peter Wilks (compared to the inhabitants of the Arkansas town and their way of life). Huck is naive and hasn't experienced such charades as the one the duke and king play on the Wilks family, he still gives the human race some credit. Huck probably also feels that it is disrespectful to the dead, as superstitious as he is.

3. They're young and innocent, have just experienced a death, and live in a small town.

4. Joanna eating in the kitchen and being called "harelip" and how she is treated is significant because it backs up the theme of dehumanization, and how it is not just directed towards African Americans.

5. Twain shows the gullibility of people and how they are easily persuaded of one thing to be true, and how hard it is to dissuade them of their so-called "truth". Once one person goes along with it, the others follow. People become so wrapped up in what they believe to be true, that they can't see if they're obviously wrong, or just don't want to be proven wrong. Most people say that seeing is believing, but sometimes just seeing isn't enough, because people can put on some pretty good shows.

6. See answer to number 3. Having met the Wilks girls, and the townspeople, Huck is driven even more to foil the plans of the duke and king. He doesn't think it is right or fair to play such tricks on innocent, gullible, people who have just had a loved one die, especially Mary Jane, whom he is quite fond of. The themes of coming of age, gullibility, naivety, ignorance, and appearance vs. reality all play roles in Huck's change in attitude. Perhaps most change-inducing are the themes of coming of age, gullibility, naivety, and Huck's struggle with his conscious. Huck's conscious is winning in this case, and his moral values are coming out.