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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Chapter 27

Summary: The chapter opens with Huck hiding a sack of money in Peter Wilk's coffin as Mary Jane, the daughter of Peter Wilks, enters the room where her father's corpse lies. Huck never gets the chance to retrieve the money from the coffin which worries him. The dauphin sells off Peter's possessions such as the slaves and the estate. The dauphin separates a slave family in this chapter, sending the mother and her two sons in two different directions. Huck is somewhat bothered by the separation of the mother and her sons, but he convinces himself that the family will reunite. A question also arises on the whereabouts of the money. The con men question Huck on the disappearance of the money, but Huck tells them the slaves were responsible for the disappearance.

Discussion questions:
1. If you were ever in a situation like Huck where you would have to think fast, where would you hide your possessions? Why?
2. If you were in Huck's position would you have tried to help the slaves? Do you think Huck should have helped the slaves since they were not different from Jim?
3. Huck frames the slaves for the disappearance of the money. Why do you think he does this? Do you believe this relates to how Caucasians view(ed) African Americans? Why or Why not?

Themes:

  • Slavery- Slavery played an important role in chapter 27. A slave family was broken apart and I personally feel that Huck sympathizes with the family due to Jim being separated from his family as well.
  • Racism- Racism also plays a role in chapter 27. In this time period, Caucasians were not so fund of African Americans and African Americans did not really matter to them. The separation of the slave family shows how careless Caucasians were toward African Americans and slaves.
  • Hypocrisy- I found that it was ironic and strange for Huck to frame the slave family. Huck comes off as a genuine friend to Jim and a non-supporter of slavery and racism, but, in the same breath, frames those innocent people just to cover his own back. 

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