Ch. 4-7 Study Group Questions

Ch. 4-7 Overview:
As a critique of Social Darwinism, what specific quotes can you point to that might show/explain/reveal Twain’s satire, or criticism of this belief?


These chapters make two suggestions: first, that one’s friend can be crueler than one’s enemy (pp. 39) and that the powerful are able to escape chastisement (pp. 39). Do you agree? Why or why not?

Ch. 4
How did “nurture” instead of nature create Tom’s negative personality?

How did the time period add to the environmental influences on Tom?
What is it about teething, the terrible two’s, and the way white people “help” children in this time that forms their character forever?

Ch. 5
Look at p. 38, the chapter that starts with “Tom’s Eastern polish…” .

How does this paragraph reveal irony within the community and an elevated sense of self that Tom has.
How does the Widow Cooper’s reaction to the letter from the twins asking to take her room, reveal small town mentality? (both positive and negative)

Ch. 6
How are the twins successes of Social Darwinism? (look at p. 43)


Ch. 7
How do you think the calendar phrase about lies has anything to do with the young woman Pudd’nhead sees? Make a prediction based on word choices (p. 48-49).


Calendar
Lastly, go back through the calendar excerpts at the beg. of each chapter (1-7). And discuss its possible meaning…

Ch. 3 Study Group Questions

Find the historical perspectives of the time through Roxy’s speech, action, and wonderings about the 2 boys in Ch. 3.

Ch. 2 Study Group Questions

Look at specific lines in Ch. 2 to illustrate Twain’s portrayal and purpose for the character Roxy.


What adjectives, descriptors, stand out?

What images does Twain create?

What tensions and conflicts does he create on the surface?

What contradictions does he suggest under the surface, at the satirical level?

Where do you question Twain?

Where do you trust Twain?

Consider Roxy’s portrayal based upon the background knowledge you have steretypes/caricatures about black nannies. What fresh insights, ah ha’s, shocks, come about?

Study Groups Ch. 1

Look through the first two pages of this text. Make note of word choice, imagery, and specific object description to illustrate the opinion and concept we as the reader should have of this small town.


Then, narrow in on the section that changes our perspective of this small town. What words, phrases or images does he use to change our thinking? What specific word changes it?

What might be his purpose in crafting the town in this way and then yanking us to a whole new image of this town?