The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin

Summer 2007 Writing Assignment

For American Literature

Length of Essay: 3-4 pages

Format: Your essay should be typed in size 12 Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and should have standard margins. You should include your name, the date, and the title of your essay.

For this writing assignment, choose one of the following two topics and write a 3-4 page paper (typed) that addresses the question. The main question your essay should focus on has been underlined. The other questions will help you develop the main idea of your paper. Be sure to build your essay around a clear central thesis presented in a clear, concise thesis statement. Develop your argument paying attention to the structure of the paragraphs as well as to the overall structure of the essay. Include textual evidence in the form of examples and quotes. Don’t forget to proofread.

1. The River. What is the significance of the Mississippi River in the novel? Is the river a place of peace or of danger? How do the main characters’ perspectives on the river change, depending on whether they are on the raft or on the riverbank? Does the meaning of the river itself change as Huck and Jim travel further south? How is the river important to the story or to the characters? What does the river represent?
2. Lying and Storytelling. What is the role of lying in the novel? Are the lies the characters tell “good” or “bad”? Huck frequently admits to lying – does that mean we do not trust the story he tells? How do we see through the lies? How is lying similar to or different from storytelling in the novel?