The Adventures of Huck Finn: Wilks Family Gold

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Where does Huck hide the Wilks family gold?

In Peter Wilks's coffin

Who goes into the front room while Huck is hiding the money to weep?

Mary Jane

What disrupts the funeral the next day?

A dog barking in the cellar

Who silences the dog, and what does this person say the dog caught?

The undertaker, a rat Signup and view all the answers

Why is Huck horrified when the undertaker seals the coffin without looking inside?

The money is still in there Signup and view all the answers

Where does the king say that he will take the girls?

Saying he will take the Wilks girls to England Signup and view all the answers

How does Huck convince the con men that he did not steal?

He makes them think that the Wilks family slaves were responsible Signup and view all the answers

How does Mary Jane feel about the slave family being separated?

She is very upset Signup and view all the answers

What does Huck tell Mary Jane regarding the slaves when he sees her crying?

The family will be reunited in less than two weeks Signup and view all the answers

What does Huck tell Mary Jane to do?

He tells her to wait at a friend's house until later that night Signup and view all the answers

Where is Mary Jane headed?

Mr. Lothrop's Signup and view all the answers

How does Mary Jane respond to Huck?

She promises to remember him forever and to pray for him Signup and view all the answers

What story does Huck make up when Mary Jane leaves for her sisters, Susan and Joanna?

Mary Jane went to see a sick friend who has pluribus-unum mumps Signup and view all the answers

What happens during an auction of the family's possessions?

A mob interrupts the auction Signup and view all the answers

What do the duke and the king claim about the newcomers?

The newcomers are frauds Signup and view all the answers

Why were the real Harvey Wilks and William Wilks delayed?

Their luggage was misdirected and his mute brother broke his arm Signup and view all the answers

What does Doctor Robinson declare?

The duke and the dauphin are frauds Signup and view all the answers

How do the frauds draw suspicion initially?

They don't have the $6,000 in inheritance and claim that slaves stole it Signup and view all the answers

What does the real Harvey tell them regarding the old letters?

The letters were written by William Signup and view all the answers

How does the real Harvey try to put an end to the situation?

He declares he knows of a tattoo on his brother's chest Signup and view all the answers

What does the king say was tattooed on Peter's chest?

A thin, blue arrow Signup and view all the answers

What does the real Harvey say was tattooed in his brother's chest?

Peter's initials Signup and view all the answers

What does the undertaker decide to do to remedy the situation?

Dig up the body Signup and view all the answers

What is in the coffin that surprises everyone?

The gold Signup and view all the answers

When the gold is discovered in the coffin, what does Huck do?

He runs away as fast as possible Signup and view all the answers

What diminishes Huck's joy when he is on the raft?

The duke and the king approach them in a boat Signup and view all the answers

Summarize chapter 30.

The dauphin nearly strangles Huck out of anger at his desertion, but the duke stops him. Signup and view all the answers

Where do Huck and the duke find the king when he doesn't come back?

In a bar Signup and view all the answers

What does a passerby boy tell Huck about Jim's whereabouts?

An older man caught the runaway slave and sold him for $40 Signup and view all the answers

What decision does Huck ultimately make regarding writing a letter to tell Miss Watson about Jim's whereabouts?

Huck decides to write to Tom Sawyer to tell Miss Watson where Jim is Signup and view all the answers

What is the climax of the story?

When Huck rips up the letter and decides to help steal Jim out of slavery Signup and view all the answers

What does the duke tell Huck about Jim?

The king sold him Signup and view all the answers

Huck sets out to the farm of...?

Silas Phelps Signup and view all the answers

Huck decides to 'trust in ______' and just march right up to the door.

Providence Signup and view all the answers

Who comes outside to see Huck?

Aunt Sally thinks Huck is her nephew, Tom Signup and view all the answers

How does Huck explain why he has been so delayed in arriving?

Huck explains that a cylinder head on the steamboat blew out Signup and view all the answers

Sally and Silas Phelps are the aunt and uncle of whom?

Huck's best friend, Tom Sawyer Signup and view all the answers

What does Huck do when he hears a steamboat go up the river?

Huck heads out to the docks to intercept the real Tom Sawyer Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Wilks Family Gold

Huck hides the Wilks family gold in Peter Wilks's coffin.
Mary Jane enters the room to weep while Huck is concealing the money.
The funeral is disrupted by a dog barking in the cellar, which the undertaker silences, claiming it caught a rat.

Huck's Horrors and Realizations

Huck is horrified when the undertaker seals the coffin without checking inside, realizing he may never find out if the duke and dauphin retrieved the gold.
He considers writing to Mary Jane to urge her to have the coffin dug up.

The King's Actions

The king deceives the Wilks girls, claiming he will take them to England, while he sells off the Wilks estate and slaves, separating heartbroken families.

Con Men and Accusations

The con men interrogate Huck about the missing gold, but he convinces them it was the family slaves who took it.
Huck reassures Mary Jane that the separated family will soon be reunited.

Huck's Truth and Plans

Huck tells Mary Jane to wait at a friend's house to ensure his escape, aware that Jim's fate also hangs in the balance.
He leaves her a note with the location of the money and a message to invoke the frauds' punishment.

Auction Disruption

An auction of the Wilks' possessions is interrupted by a mob claiming to be the real Harvey and William Wilks.
Doctor Robinson declares the duke and the king as frauds and takes the matter to a tavern for further investigation.

Tattoo Dispute

The real Harvey Wilks seeks to prove his identity by referencing a tattoo on Peter's chest, but conflicting accounts from the con men confuse the situation.
An undertaker's inability to recall the tattoo leads to the decision to dig up the body.

Gold Discovery and Escape

The discovery of the gold in the coffin shocks everyone, prompting Huck to flee quickly.
He is relieved to see Mary Jane's window light on, indicating she will manage the turmoil, before escaping with Jim.

Conflict Between Con Men

After Huck departs, the duke and the dauphin quarrel over the found gold, leading to a destructive realization about their deceitful relationship.
Huck learns Jim has been sold by the king and is distressed over the betrayal of his friend.

Huck's Moral Dilemma

Faced with the decision to inform Miss Watson of Jim's whereabouts, Huck wrestles with his conscience.
Ultimately, he rips up the letter intended for Miss Watson, vowing to help Jim escape, embracing his rebellion against societal norms.

New Encounters

Huck encounters Aunt Sally, who mistakes him for Tom Sawyer.
Providing a fabricated explanation for his delay, Huck ensures continuity in his disguise while plotting his next move.

Tom Sawyer's Connection

Aunt Sally and Silas Phelps are relatives of Tom Sawyer, deepening Huck's connection with his best friend and highlighting his journey.
Huck prepares to intercept the real Tom Sawyer, intent on revealing the truth of Jim's predicament.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores key moments surrounding the Wilks family gold in Mark Twain's novel, 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.' Examine Huck's moral dilemmas, the actions of the con men, and the emotional turmoil faced by characters like Mary Jane. Test your understanding of themes like deception and family bonds through this engaging quiz.