In this activity students will identify a theme and support the theme with evidence from the text.
Another theme in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is friendship. Huck and Jim are dedicated to helping each other and look out for one another as they move down the river and avoid capture. Jim calls Huck "a true friend". Huck and Tom Sawyer also have a close friendship. Huck and Tom develop a complex plan to free Jim. They follow through with the plan, and improve when needed, even when they are close to being caught. Jim demonstrates his friendship toward Tom as well. Instead of escaping, Jim stays to assist the doctor in saving Tom who had been shot in the calf.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Encourage critical thinking by leading a class discussion where students share and analyze key themes, like deception and friendship, from the novel. This helps students connect ideas and deepen their understanding.
Write questions that prompt students to think beyond the surface, such as 'Why might Huck use deception?' or 'How does friendship shape Huck and Jim’s journey?' This supports student-led exploration of main ideas.
Divide the class into small groups to discuss the questions. This allows every student to participate and share their thoughts in a supportive environment.
Ask students to cite specific passages from the book that support their ideas about each theme. This helps them practice close reading and strengthens their arguments.
Invite each group to present their theme analysis and supporting evidence. This fosters collaborative learning and exposes students to multiple perspectives.
The key themes in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn include deception—where characters use tricks to achieve their goals—and friendship, shown in the strong bonds between Huck, Jim, and Tom Sawyer.
Deception is a major theme in the novel. Huck fakes his own death to escape captivity, disguises himself to gather information, and the King and Duke pretend to be heirs to steal a fortune. These acts show how characters use trickery to survive or get what they want.
Friendship is central to the story. Huck and Jim protect each other and work together as they travel down the river. Their loyalty and trust highlight the value of true companionship in overcoming challenges.
Have students create a storyboard that identifies and illustrates key themes from the novel, such as deception or friendship. Each cell should show an example from the book, with a short description underneath.
Students can look for specific examples and quotes in the text where themes like deception or friendship are shown—for example, when Huck fakes his death or when Jim helps Huck and Tom. Citing these helps support their understanding of the novel's messages.