Based on chapters 22 and 23 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, what is ironic about the fact that the judge proposes the plan to fool the other townspeople into attending the play?

Question

A judge usually only holds authority within the courtroom.
A judge should merely listen and not make suggestions.
A judge does not belong at a play with the townspeople.
A judge is typically viewed as the height of moral conduct.

Answer 1

The irony in the judge proposing the plan to fool the townspeople into attending the play in chapters 22 and 23 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is best captured by the option: A judge is typically viewed as the height of moral conduct.

Judges are expected to embody fairness, integrity, and moral authority, yet in this scenario, the judge is engaging in deceitful behavior by crafting a scheme to trick people. This contrasts sharply with the expected role of a judge, highlighting the irony of someone in a position of moral authority participating in manipulation and trickery.

Answer 2

Read the excerpt from chapter 23 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

I stood by the duke at the door, and I see that every man that went in had his pockets bulging, or something muffled up under his coat—and I see it warn't no perfumery, neither, not by a long sight. I smelt sickly eggs by the barrel, and rotten cabbages, and such things; and if I know the signs of a dead cat being around, and I bet I do, there was sixty-four of them went in.

How does Huck’s use of dialect to describe the setting affect this part of the story?
The expressions he uses decrease the conflict by showing that Huck and the others will be good sports about the townspeople’s retaliation.
The expressions he uses increase the conflict by revealing how frightened Huck and the others are at the thought of the townspeople’s revenge.
The expressions he uses add humor and lessen the tension that is building as the townspeople file in to exact their revenge on Huck and the others.
The expressions he uses heighten the suspense that is building as the townspeople file in to exact their revenge on Huck and the others.

Answer 3

Huck’s use of dialect to describe the setting affects this part of the story by: The expressions he uses add humor and lessen the tension that is building as the townspeople file in to exact their revenge on Huck and the others.

Through Huck’s colorful and exaggerated descriptions of the townspeople’s bulging pockets and the unpleasant smells, the tone becomes more humorous, which alleviates some of the tension associated with the impending confrontation. This comedic approach contrasts with the potentially dire situation, making it more lighthearted and entertaining for the reader. Huck’s perspective allows for a moment of levity amid the seriousness of the scenario.

Answer 4

Which excerpt from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn contains humor?
Well, that night we had our show; but there warn't only about twelve people there—just enough to pay expenses.
And they laughed all the time, and that made the duke mad; and everybody left, anyway, before the show was over, but one boy which was asleep.
So next morning he got some big sheets of wrapping paper and some black paint, and drawed off some handbills, and stuck them up all over the village.
The third night the house was crammed again—and they warn't new-comers this time, but people that was at the show the other two nights.

Answer 5

The excerpt from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that contains humor is:

"And they laughed all the time, and that made the duke mad; and everybody left, anyway, before the show was over, but one boy which was asleep."

This passage offers a humorous take on the situation where the audience finds the performance amusing, causing frustration for the duke, who is trying to run a serious show. The detail about everyone leaving except for one boy who is asleep adds to the comedic situation, highlighting the ineptitude of the performance and the absurdity of the events that unfold.

Answer 6

Read the excerpt from chapter 23 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

When the place couldn't hold no more, the duke he quit tending door and went around the back way and come on to the stage and stood up before the curtain and made a little speech, and praised up this tragedy, and said it was the most thrillingest one that ever was; and so he went on a-bragging about the tragedy, and about Edmund Kean the Elder, which was to play the main principal part in it; and at last when he'd got everybody's expectations up high enough, he rolled up the curtain, and the next minute the king come a-prancing out on all fours, naked; and he was painted all over, ring-streaked-and-striped, all sorts of colors, as splendid as a rainbow. And—but never mind the rest of his outfit; it was just wild, but it was awful funny.

Which best describes the source of the humor in this excerpt?
the fact that the place was packed
the duke’s speech to the audience
the image of the king performing
the audience’s high expectations

Answer 7

The best description of the source of the humor in this excerpt is: the image of the king performing.

The humor derives from the absurdity and vividness of the king’s entrance, coming out naked and painted in colorful stripes, which is both unexpected and ridiculous. The contrast between the audience's high expectations set by the duke and the comical reality of the king’s performance creates a comedic effect. The imagery of the king in such outlandish attire adds to the humor of the situation.

Answer 8

Which excerpt from chapter 23 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn most clearly illustrates that the duke is someone who does not take responsibility for his actions and would rather blame others if something does not go well?
So the duke said these Arkansaw lunkheads couldn't come up to Shakespeare; what they wanted was low comedy—and maybe something ruther worse than low comedy, he reckoned.
Then the duke he lets the curtain down, and bows to the people, and says the great tragedy will be performed only two nights more, on accounts of pressing London engagements, where the seats is all sold already for it in Drury Lane.
“‘Walk fast now till you get away from the houses, and then shin for the raft like the dickens was after you!’"
“‘Greenhorns, flatheads! I knew the first house would keep mum and let the rest of the town get roped in; and I knew they'd lay for us the third night, and consider it was their turn now.’”

Answer 9

The excerpt that most clearly illustrates that the duke is someone who does not take responsibility for his actions and would rather blame others if something does not go well is:

“Greenhorns, flatheads! I knew the first house would keep mum and let the rest of the town get roped in; and I knew they'd lay for us the third night, and consider it was their turn now.”

In this quote, the duke expresses his disdain for the audience by calling them "greenhorns" and "flatheads," indicating he blames them for the failure of the show rather than taking responsibility himself. This attitude underscores his tendency to deflect accountability and shift the blame onto others rather than recognizing his own role in the situation.

Answer 10

Read the excerpt from chapter 23 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The people most killed themselves laughing; and when the king got done capering and capered off behind the scenes, they roared and clapped and stormed and haw-hawed till he come back and done it over again, and after that they made him do it another time. Well, it would make a cow laugh to see the shines that old idiot cut.

What is the effect of the last line of this excerpt?
It emphasizes the fact that Huck is prone to wild exaggeration.
It emphasizes the outrageousness of the king’s new comedy act.
It emphasizes the idea that Huck sees the townspeople as animals.
It emphasizes the possibility that the king is actually quite talented.

Answer 11

The effect of the last line of this excerpt is: It emphasizes the outrageousness of the king’s new comedy act.

The phrase "it would make a cow laugh" suggests that the king's antics are so ridiculous and outrageous that even a cow, typically not known for laughter, would find them amusing. This exaggeration highlights the silliness of the king's performance and the uncontrollable laughter it provokes in the audience, reinforcing the humorous and absurd nature of the situation.