Huckleberry Finn: Duke and King Analysis

Jim's Star Theory

• Jim theorizes that the moon laid the stars like chickens lay eggs.

Introduction of the Duke and the King

• Huck encounters the duke and the king while canoeing to find berries; he helps them escape from a mob.

Background of the Duke and King

• Both con artists are running from townspeople due to previous scams.

King's Deception at Camp Meeting

• The king falsely claims to be a pirate seeking salvation and thus gains the crowd's sympathy.

Duke's Scheme for Daylight Travel

• Creates a fake handbill to indicate Jim is a runaway slave, intending to capture him for a reward.

Huck's Compassionate Nature

• Huck instinctively helps the duke and king without overthinking their motives.

Characteristics of Camp Meeting Attendees

• The crowd is gullible, eager to believe in redemption, and willing to support those in need.

Duke's Performance Details

• Claims to perform Richard III, mixing various Shakespearean works to entertain the audience.

King's Performance Details

• The king is also set to perform, notably delivering Hamlet's soliloquy as an encore.

Arrival in Arkansas

• The group arrives in a small town in Arkansas to consider staging a Romeo and Juliet show, competing with a circus.

Flyer for Their Play

• The play is directed at a poor audience, but the con artists decide to exclude women and children from the next performance.

Huck's Description of Town Fun

• Huck observes cruel acts, such as burning dogs, and recounts a chaotic circus experience that entertained him.

Incident with Boggs

• Boggs, a drunken local, insults Colonel Sherburn and is eventually shot dead by Sherburn after refusing to leave.

Buck Harkness

• A character known as "half a man" who leads the mob after Boggs' death.

Duke's Con Activities

• Younger con artist who previously sold ineffective toothpaste, causing tooth enamel damage.

King’s Background

• Elder conman involved in a temperance group until discovered drinking.

Huck's Ethical Stance

• Huck refrains from exposing the duke and king's lies, believing to let them have their way keeps his life simpler.

Sleeping Arrangements

• The duke and king sleep in comfort while Huck and Jim opt to stay outdoors.

New Con: Shakespearean Performances

• The duo shifts to performing Shakespeare plays as a new scheme to swindle money.

King's Pulpit Trick

• The king pretends to be reformed, eliciting donations from the gullible crowd, which he later exploits for personal gain.

Jim and Huck's Sentiments on Con Artists

• Jim expresses disdain for kings and dukes, voicing a desire to avoid more con men.

Huck's Observations About the Town

• He remarks on local arguments and the muddy roads, painting a vivid picture of the town's rustic charm.

Confrontation Between Boggs and Sherburn

• An escalating feud leads to Boggs' shooting, demonstrating Sherburn’s ruthless demeanor.

Aftermath of Boggs' Death

• Townsfolk place a Bible under Boggs' head, prompting mocking reactions and a mob mentality aiming for revenge on Sherburn.

Mob's Visit to Sherburn

• The mob confronts Sherburn, who remains composed and challenges their courage, ultimately dispersing them ashamed.

Circus Chaos

• The circus features horsemen and dancers; hilarity ensues when a drunken man unwittingly becomes part of the act.

Drunken Man's Antics

• The incident ends with the man shedding suits, adding unexpected entertainment to the show.

Reception of Shakespearean Plays

• The uneducated audience fails to grasp the con artists' performances, prompting a shift in strategy.

Crowds' Reaction to New Show

• Audiences are initially furious but ultimately want to see the con artists punished after a short, chaotic performance.

Third Night of Performances

• The townspeople prepare to pelt the duke and king with rotten fruit; however, the con artists escape before the crowd's ire can be unleashed.

Jim's Perspective on Conmen

• Jim believes all kings are dishonest, reflecting on historical figures with a similar reputation.

Jim's Family Story

• Jim shares a poignant story about his daughter, highlighting themes of misunderstanding and familial love.

Jim's Disguise

• The con artists dress Jim in Arab attire to hide his identity as a runaway slave.

Arrival in Town

• The king and Huck show up dressed well, attracting attention and gossip as they enter town.

Gossip about Peter Wilks

• The town buzzes with news of Peter Wilks' death, his fortune tied to his missing brothers and orphaned nieces.

New Scheme: Impersonating Wilks' Brothers

• The duke and king plot to impersonate Wilks’ relatives, intending to exploit the nieces for their inheritance.

Huck's Moral Dilemma

• Huck feels conflicted and frustrated with the conmen’s deception and humanity’s greed.

Huck's Backstory on Travel Restrictions

• He reveals their need to travel discreetly due to Jim being seen as a runaway, following personal tragedy related to steamboat accidents.

Explore the intriguing storyline of Huck Finn as he navigates the schemes of the duke and king. This quiz delves into their deceptive tactics, Huck's moral compass, and the gullibility of the camp meeting audience. Test your understanding of these key characters and their impact on the narrative.