Huck Finn Chapter 37-43 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Why is Aunt Sally upset?

She cannot find Uncle Silas' shirt, a spoon, six candles, a sheet, and a brass candlestick are all gone.

How do the boys confuse Aunt Sally?

They take spoons and put them back so Sally is confused, and they put the sheet back on the line and take one from the closet.

Why is it ironic that Tom insists that Jim must have a coat of arms?

Royal prisoners have coats of arms, not slaves who cannot trace their images due to slavery. Also, 'bar sinister' means that a person is illegitimate.

Why must Jim have spiders, rats, and snakes in his cabin?

All prisoners in books have pets. Signup and view all the answers

What is Jim's response to keeping a rattlesnake as a pet?

Jim will leave before he tries to tame a rattlesnake; he compromises by having garter snakes with buttons tied to their tails. Signup and view all the answers

Why was keeping the rats under Aunt Sally's bed not a safe place?

Her son, Thomas, let them loose in the house. Signup and view all the answers

How did the snakes escape? What was Aunt Sally's response?

Huck and Tom did not tie the sack securely, and the snakes escaped into the house. Aunt Sally was upset and a nervous wreck. Signup and view all the answers

How does Jim get along with his new pets?

Jim and the spiders do not get along, and rats and snakes got into his bed which was already crowded with the grindstone. Jim uses the blood from the rat bites as ink for his journal. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Tom send the 'nonnamus letter' to Aunt Sally and Uncle Silas?

They are afraid if Silas advertises about Jim in the St. Louis paper, Jim will be recognized. Tom wants to make Jim's escape more exciting. Signup and view all the answers

If you were Aunt Sally and Uncle Silas, how would you handle the instructions in the letter from the 'unknown friend'?

I would be armed and ask neighbors to help watch against the gang of outlaws. Signup and view all the answers

Do you think Twain goes too far in creating humor which diminishes the serious message of the novel?

Yes, Twain shows how inconsiderate Tom Sawyer is about others' feelings and welfare. Signup and view all the answers

What is Tom's main motivation?

Tom's motivation is to have a good time and all the excitement, despite the cost to others. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Huck goes to the cellar to get butter? Who is in the parlor?

Aunt Sally catches him and makes him go to the parlor where farmers have gathered. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Tom during the evasion or escape?

Tom is shot in the calf of his leg when his pants catch on the fence and make a noise. Signup and view all the answers

Who insists that Tom must have a doctor?

Jim refuses to escape until Tom has seen the doctor. Signup and view all the answers

What puzzles the farmers and their wives about Jim's cabin?

They think Jim is crazy for carving inscriptions, having a rope ladder, and other oddities. Signup and view all the answers

What does Huck promise Aunt Sally?

That he will be good and stay in the room. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Aunt Sally worried about Sid?

He has not come back since the night that Jim escaped, and she is afraid something may have happened to him. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the farmers ultimately decide not to lynch Jim?

They cannot hang him since they do not own him, and fear Jim's owner would make them pay. Signup and view all the answers

What does the doctor tell them about Jim?

Jim gave up his freedom to help the doctor take care of Tom. Signup and view all the answers

What does Tom tell Aunt Sally about Jim's escape?

Tom tells her that he and Huck were behind Jim's escape. Signup and view all the answers

What important fact does Tom reveal about Jim?

Jim has been free for two months since Miss Watson died and left Jim his freedom in her will. Signup and view all the answers

Who arrives and what does she tell Aunt Sally?

Aunt Polly arrives and wants to know why Sally mentioned Sid in letters. Signup and view all the answers

Are there too many coincidences at this point in the story?

Yes, Polly shows up, Tom produces letters, and Jim was given freedom in Miss Watson's will. Signup and view all the answers

What does Tom give Jim for putting up with the escape plans?

Tom gives Jim 40 dollars for being such a good prisoner. Signup and view all the answers

What does Huck find out about Pap?

Pap was the dead man on the floating house. Signup and view all the answers

What does Huck plan to do at the end of the book? Why?

Huck is going to 'light out for territory' because Aunt Sally wants to 'sivilize' Huck and adopt him. Signup and view all the answers

Do you like the way the book ends? Why or why not?

The ending leaves questions about what will happen to Huck. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 37-43 Highlights

Aunt Sally is upset because several items, including shirts, spoons, and candles, have mysteriously disappeared.
Tom and Huck confuse Aunt Sally by returning spoons in odd places and taking sheets from the closet, enhancing her perplexity.
The irony lies in Tom’s insistence that Jim should have a coat of arms, a privilege not afforded to a slave, highlighting the absurdity of Jim’s situation.
Tom’s request for Jim to have pets like spiders and snakes is rooted in literary conventions where fictional prisoners have companions.
Jim refuses to keep a rattlesnake as a pet, opting instead for garter snakes with buttons tied to their tails, showing his practicality.
Keeping rats under Aunt Sally’s bed is risky as her son Thomas has previously let them loose, causing chaos.
The escapees' failure to secure a sack allows snakes to invade the house, leading to Aunt Sally’s distress and her scolding Huck and Tom.
Jim struggles to cohabitate with his new pets, dealing with bites from the rats and writing in his journal with their blood, indicative of his plight.
Tom writes an anonymous letter to Aunt Sally and Uncle Silas to alert them about potential dangers concerning Jim, motivated more by a desire for dramatic flair than genuine concern for safety.
If Aunt Sally and Uncle Silas received the letter, their likely response would involve preparing for threats from outlaws, emphasizing frontier dangers.
Twain critiques Tom’s selfishness, showing his disregard for others' welfare, and portrays Huck’s loss of autonomy when around Tom.
Tom’s primary motivation is adventure rather than genuinely freeing Jim, highlighting a self-serving attitude.
Aunt Sally catches Huck in the cellar and redirects him to the parlor, where farmers gather to defend against outlaws.
During the escape attempt, Tom is shot in the leg while trying to navigate a fence, risking physical harm for adventure.
Despite his injury, Jim prevents their escape until Tom sees a doctor, displaying loyalty and care.
Farmers are puzzled by Jim's suspicious activities at his cabin, reflecting societal prejudices and assumptions about enslaved individuals.
Huck promises Aunt Sally to behave, indicating his desire to conform and avoid trouble.
Aunt Sally worries about her son Sid's absence, fearing he might be in danger after Jim's escape.
The farmers consider lynching Jim but ultimately refrain, demonstrating the ownership mentality towards enslaved individuals and their perceived value.
The doctor informs them of Jim’s sacrifice during Tom’s delirium, elevating Jim’s status briefly, though he remains chained and mistreated.
Tom confesses to Aunt Sally that he and Huck orchestrated Jim’s escape, complicating the moral landscape.
Tom reveals Jim has been free for two months, raising ethical dilemmas about their actions and Huck's reaction is supportive since he knows Jim’s true status.
Aunt Polly arrives, connecting family dynamics and coincidences in the unfolding events regarding Sid’s letters.
The story’s climax is filled with coincidences, culminating in Tom’s reveal of Jim’s freedom, adding layers of irony.
Tom compensates Jim for enduring the escape plans, showcasing his obliviousness to Jim's true suffering.
Huck discovers his father, Pap, was the deceased man found in a floating house, closing the loop on his backstory.
Huck decides to "light out for territory," symbolizing his desire for freedom from societal constraints as Aunt Sally plans to civilize him.
The ending of the book leaves readers questioning Huck's future direction, reflecting ongoing themes of freedom and societal norms.

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Description

Explore key concepts from Chapters 37 to 43 of 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' with these flashcards. Test your understanding of character actions and ironic situations in this classic novel. Perfect for reinforcing your knowledge before exams!