Huck Finn Chapters 26-31 Quiz

Questions and Answers

Why do the women insult their own food?

The women make degrading comments about their food so that they can elicit compliments from their guests.

What incident in the novel convinces Huck that he must get the money back to the Wilks girls?

The kindness of Mary Jane and Susan, and Joanna's apology for her accusations while they are eating in the kitchen convinces Huck that these girls do not deserve to be defrauded by the king and the duke.

In what way will Huck get the money from the king and the duke?

Huck decides that stealing the money would be the safest course of action.

Where does Huck hurriedly hide the money? Why does he choose this particular spot?

Huck hides the money in Peter Wilks' coffin because his plan to take the money outside is thwarted when the door is locked. Signup and view all the answers

How do the king and the duke justify selling the property so soon after the funeral?

The king and duke promise to take the Wilks girls home to England to live with them. Signup and view all the answers

Where do the slaves go when they are sold?

The two sons were sold up the river to Memphis and their mother was sold down the river to New Orleans. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the king sell the slaves the day after the funeral? How does the duke feel about this?

The king meets a slaveholder and makes a quick sale, and the duke feels that it was 'quick sales and small profits.' Signup and view all the answers

Why does the duke wish he had kept the slaves?

The duke admires the con game that he thinks they have played when they pretended to be sorry to leave but took the money with them. Signup and view all the answers

How do the Wilks girls react when the slaves are sold?

The girls' hearts are broken to see them sold away from the town and separated from their families. Signup and view all the answers

Why doesn't Huck tell on the king and the duke when they allow the slaves to be separated from their families?

Huck comes close to telling on the king and the duke when he sees the reaction of the girls, but he knows they will soon be back since the sales are illegal. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Huck tell Mary Jane the truth?

He sees how sad she is about the separation of the slave families and tells her they will soon be back. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Hines think that the king is an imposter?

He saw the king in a canoe the day before the funeral. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Huck ask Mary Jane to leave town?

Huck asks Mary Jane to leave so her face will not reveal the truth about the king and the duke after Huck has told her the whole story. Signup and view all the answers

How does Huck tell Mary Jane that he put the bag of money in the coffin?

He does not have the heart to tell her in person so he writes her a note and asks her not to read it until he has gone. Signup and view all the answers

How does Levi Bell propose to find out who the true Wilks brothers are?

He tries to compare their handwriting to letters Peter Wilks has received from his brothers, but it does not work because William Wilks has broken his arm and cannot write. Signup and view all the answers

What were the misfortunes of the Wilks brothers?

Their baggage has been dropped off in the wrong town, and one of the brothers has broken his arm. Signup and view all the answers

How do they finally solve the problem of identification?

By exhuming the body of Peter Wilks to find out who is right about the tattoo on his chest. Signup and view all the answers

Why don't they believe Huck when he says he's English?

Huck does not have an English accent. Signup and view all the answers

On his way to the raft, what does Huck see in the middle of town?

Huck sees the candle burning in Mary Jane's window. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Hines let go of Huck's hand allowing him to get away?

Hines was so surprised to see the bag of gold in the coffin that he forgot himself and let go of Huck's hand. Signup and view all the answers

What do Huck and Jim do as soon as Huck gets back to the raft?

Huck and Jim hurriedly take off down the river in the raft to try to get away from the king and the duke. Signup and view all the answers

Who do the king and the duke blame for stealing the money?

They blame each other for stealing the money. Signup and view all the answers

Who captured Jim and sold him?

Jim was captured by the king. He sold him for $40. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Jim go after he was sold?

Jim was sold to the owner of the Phelps Plantation. Signup and view all the answers

What does Huck tell the duke about the raft when he meets him in town?

He tells him the raft and Jim have both been stolen. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't Huck pray when he tries?

He can't pray because his heart isn't right. He says, you 'can't pray a lie.' Signup and view all the answers

Why does Huck tear up his letter to Miss Watson?

He wants to turn Jim in, but he can't go through with it. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Chapter 31 a climactic chapter in the novel?

It is the ultimate moral decision for Huck to help Jim to freedom. Signup and view all the answers

How does Huck feel about his decision to 'buy Jim out of slavery'?

Huck feels that he is wicked for doing so, but he values Jim's friendship above everything else. Signup and view all the answers

Why doesn't Huck tell on the king and duke when he has a chance?

He wants to be rid of them and have nothing more to do with them. Signup and view all the answers

What made Jim and Huck uneasy at the start of the chapter?

How the duke and king were plotting and whispering to each other. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'tight.'

Drunk. Signup and view all the answers

What did Huck do immediately after he discovered Jim was not on the raft?

Huck sat down and cried; he couldn't sit still for long. Signup and view all the answers

How much did the king sell Jim for?

$40, Jim was worth $200 according to the flyer. The king used the money to get drunk. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the significance of the line, 'But it is though-- straight as string.'

What had happened, the king getting $40 for Jim was a lowball deal. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the first person Huck runs into on his way to town?

The Duke. Signup and view all the answers

The Duke says that after he and the king discovered the raft was lost, they decided to try to do what again?

The Royal Nonesuch. Signup and view all the answers

At this point, what does the Duke admit to Huck?

He admits that he sold Jim. Signup and view all the answers

The Duke calls Jim, _____________.

his end (his slave). Signup and view all the answers

Who is Abram G. Foster and why is he important?

The name the Duke gives Huck, saying that is where Jim is. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapters 26-31 Overview

The women in the story insult their own food to provoke compliments from their guests.
Huck feels compelled to return the stolen money to the Wilks girls after witnessing their kindness and distress.
Huck chooses to steal the money from the king and the duke, believing it's the safest way to help the girls.

Important Incidents

Huck hides the money in Peter Wilks' coffin when a locked door prevents his escape, showing quick thinking under pressure.
The king and the duke justify selling the Wilks family's property by claiming they will take the girls to England.
The separation of slaves from their families leads to a heartbroken reaction from the Wilks girls, showcasing their empathy.

Characters' Reactions and Motivations

Huck nearly reveals the true nature of the king and the duke out of sympathy for the Wilks girls but ultimately holds his tongue, hoping the illegal sales will be reversed.
Huck informs Mary Jane about the true situation, wanting to protect her from inadvertently exposing herself to danger from the king and the duke.
Hines suspects the king is an imposter based on his previous sightings, adding tension to the plot.

Plot Developments

An attempt to identify the true Wilks brothers involves comparing handwriting, but complications arise due to one brother's injury.
The climax involves the exhumation of Peter Wilks to validate claims regarding a tattoo, a dramatic method to resolve the conflict.
Huck observes an emotional candle in Mary Jane's window, symbolizing their connection and urgency in the unfolding events.

Moral Dilemmas

Huck's acknowledgment of his reluctance to pray stems from guilt over his potential betrayal of Jim, reflecting his internal conflict regarding morality and friendship.
Tearing up the letter intended to betray Jim illustrates Huck's struggle between societal expectations and personal loyalty.

Key Themes

Chapter 31 serves as a pivotal moment for Huck, marking his moral decision to assist Jim in escaping bondage, challenging his ingrained beliefs.
Huck grapples with his perceived wickedness for helping Jim, yet prioritizes their friendship, highlighting the theme of personal values versus societal norms.
The duke and king’s blame game illustrates their self-preserving behavior in the face of financial loss and betrayal.

Additional Notes

Jim's sale for $40 emphasizes exploitation, as he is actually worth much more, revealing the dehumanization present in slavery.
The emotional weight of Huck's decisions illustrates the broader themes of friendship, loyalty, and the moral consequences of one's actions.

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Description

Test your understanding of Chapters 26 to 31 of 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'. This quiz covers key events and character motivations, helping you deepen your comprehension of the text. Ideal for students looking to reinforce their knowledge of these chapters.