Huck Finn Chapters 6-11: Escape, Friendship, and Survival

Pap's greed

Pap wants Huck's money and sues Judge Thatcher for it.

Pap's control

He threatens Huck about going to school, but Huck keeps attending to spite him.

Kidnapping

Pap kidnaps Huck and locks him in a cabin in the woods.

Huck's cleverness

Huck finds a saw, makes a hole in the wall, and starts planning his escape.

Pap's drunken rants

Pap complains about a black man voting and slavery, showing his ignorance and cruelty.

Finishing the escape plan

Huck takes supplies, kills a pig, and makes it look like he's been murdered to trick Pap and townspeople.

The river and Jackson's Island

Huck hides a canoe and paddles quietly to the island.

Importance of Huck's escape

This is Huck's first real taste of freedom and adventure. He's independent and resourceful.

Search for Huck

Townspeople, including Pap and Tom Sawyer's family, search for Huck, thinking he's dead.

Huck's feelings

He feels pleased about outsmarting them but guilty about worrying Widow Douglas.

Meeting Jim

Huck finds Jim on the island. Jim has run away to avoid being sold and separated from his family.

Taking shelter

Huck and Jim move into a cave to hide and stay safe.

River storm

A flood passes, and a floating houseboat comes by.

Finding a dead man

They discover a man shot in the back but avoid looking too closely.

Scavenging

Huck and Jim take useful items and hide in the canoe to return to the island.

Bad luck

Huck handles a snake's shed skin, which Jim says brings bad luck.

Snake bite

Huck puts a dead rattlesnake near Jim as a joke, and its mate bites Jim. Jim's leg swells but heals.

Huck gathers info

Huck disguises himself as a girl to explore the town safely and learn about what people think.

Meeting Mrs. Loftus

Huck, disguised as a girl, talks to a woman who notices smoke from Jackson's Island.

Information gained

Huck learns Pap has a $200 bounty, and Jim has a $300 bounty on his head.

Covering tracks

Huck sets a fake campfire to distract anyone who might be searching and returns to tell Jim they must leave.

Big Picture Themes

Freedom vs. Control: Huck escapes Pap and societal rules, Jim escapes slavery.

Friendship and Loyalty

Huck and Jim form a bond that drives the story forward.

Cleverness and Survival

Huck uses his wits to survive dangerous situations.

Society vs. Morality

The adults around Huck often represent greed, cruelty, or ignorance; Huck learns to think for himself.

Pap's Lawsuit

Pap sues Judge Thatcher to get control of Huck's fortune.

Huck's Response to Pap

He keeps attending school to spite Pap.

Pap's Kidnapping

Pap takes Huck to a cabin in the woods, locks him inside, and rambles outside.

Huck's Escape Plan

He saws a hole in the wall and plans to escape from Pap and Widow Douglas.

Pap's Rants

His drunken rants show his racism, ignorance, and obsession with control.

Huck's Cabin Escape

He saws a hole in the wall, takes supplies, kills a pig, and stages a fake murder scene.

Huck's Destination

He paddles to Jackson's Island to hide.

Jackson's Island Significance

It represents Huck's first real taste of freedom and independence.

Huck's Feelings about the Search

He is pleased about tricking them, but guilty about worrying Widow Douglas.

Discussion Topics

Huck and Jim discuss superstitions and Jim's past failed investments.

Storm Protection

Huck and Jim take shelter in a cave during the storm.

Washed-out House

A washed-out house with the body of a man shot in the back floats past the island during the flood.

Houseboat Usage

Huck and Jim take useful items and hide in the canoe to return to the island safely.

Superstition Mishap

Huck places a dead rattlesnake near Jim; its mate bites him, causing a swollen leg.

Gathering Information

Huck disguises himself as a girl to safely learn about local events.

Importance of Disguise

Shows Huck's cleverness and his ability to navigate dangerous situations.

Meeting Mrs. Judith Loftus

Huck meets Mrs. Judith Loftus, a woman who notices smoke from Jackson's Island.

Bounty Information

Huck learns that Pap has a $200 bounty, and Jim has a $300 bounty on him.

Protecting Jim

Huck sets a decoy campfire and plans to leave the island safely.

Major Themes

Freedom vs. control, friendship and loyalty, cleverness and survival, and society vs. morality.