Exercise 1: Vocabulary
1. Bulrushers:
Definition: People associated with bulrushes, typically referring to the story of Moses being placed in a basket among the bulrushes.
Example: “After supper, she got out her book and learned me about Moses and the Bulrushers.”
2. Stock:
Definition: To have an interest or investment in something.
Example: “I don’t take no stock in dead people.”
3. Spelling-book:
Definition: A book used for teaching and learning spelling.
Example: “Miss Watson…took a set at me now with a spelling-book.”
4. Middling:
Definition: Moderately or fairly.
Example: “She worked me middling hard for about an hour.”
5. Fidgety:
Definition: Restless or unable to sit still.
Example: “Then for an hour it was deadly dull, and I was fidgety.”
6. Gap:
Definition: To yawn or stretch one’s mouth widely.
Example: “Then she told me all about the bad place, and I said I wished I was there.”
7. Wicked:
Definition: Evil or morally wrong.
Example: “She said it was wicked to say what I said.”
8. Advantage:
Definition: A favorable or beneficial circumstance or position.
Example: “Well, I couldn’t see no advantage in going where she was going.”
9. Particular:
Definition: Fussy or choosy.
Example: “I warn’t particular.”
Exercise 2: Story
After supper she got out her book and learned me about Moses and the Bulrushers, and I was in a sweat to find out all about him; but by-and-by she let it out that Moses had been dead a considerable long time; so then I didn’t care no more about him, because I don’t take no stock in dead people.
Pretty soon I wanted to smoke, and asked the widow to let me. But she wouldn’t. She said it was a mean practice and wasn’t clean, and I must try to not do it any more. That is just the way with some people. They get down on a thing when they don’t know nothing about it. Here she was a-bothering about Moses, which was no kin to her, and no use to anybody, being gone, you see, yet finding a power of fault with me for doing a thing that had some good in it. And she took snuff, too; of course that was all right, because she done it herself.
Her sister, Miss Watson, a tolerable slim old maid, with goggles on, had just come to live with her, and took a set at me now with a spelling-book. She worked me middling hard for about an hour, and then the widow made her ease up. I couldn’t stood it much longer. Then for an hour it was deadly dull, and I was fidgety. Miss Watson would say, “Don’t put your feet up there, Huckleberry;” and “Don’t scrunch up like that, Huckleberry—set up straight;” and pretty soon she would say, “Don’t gap and stretch like that, Huckleberry—why don’t you try to behave?” Then she told me all about the bad place, and I said I wished I was there. She got mad then, but I didn’t mean no harm. All I wanted was to go somewheres; all I wanted was a change, I warn’t particular. She said it was wicked to say what I said; said she wouldn’t say it for the whole world; she was going to live so as to go to the good place. Well, I couldn’t see no advantage in going where she was going, so I made up my mind I wouldn’t try for it. But I never said so, because it would only make trouble, and wouldn’t do no good.
Exercise 3: Questions
1. Who is the narrator talking about when he mentions “Moses and the Bulrushers,” and how does he feel about them?
2. How does the widow, who is taking care of the narrator, respond when he asks to smoke? Why does she react this way?
3. Describe Miss Watson and her interactions with the narrator. How does he feel about her teachings?
4. What does the narrator mean when he says, “She got mad then, but I didn’t mean no harm”? Explain the context of this statement.
5. Why does the narrator decide not to try for the “good place” that Miss Watson is aiming for? What does this reveal about his character?
Exercise 4: Discussion
1. In this part of the story, we see the widow and Miss Watson imposing their values and beliefs on the narrator. How does this reflect the cultural norms and expectations of their society during that time? Are there any similarities or differences with how education and morality are conveyed in your culture?
2. The narrator expresses his disinterest in learning about Moses and suggests he doesn’t “take no stock in dead people.” How might this attitude toward history and religion be seen as a cultural difference? Are there similar attitudes or perspectives in your culture regarding historical or religious figures?
3. The widow and Miss Watson’s insistence on proper behavior and their views on the “good place” and the “bad place” are shaped by their cultural and religious background. Can you draw parallels between their beliefs and values and those of any cultures or communities you are familiar with?
4. Smoking is seen as an undesirable habit by the widow, while snuff-taking is considered acceptable. How do cultural norms influence what is considered socially acceptable or unacceptable behavior, and can you draw comparisons to similar norms in your culture?
5. The narrator’s desire for change and his disinterest in conforming to the widow and Miss Watson’s expectations might be reflective of a cultural gap. How is individualism and the desire for personal freedom viewed in different cultures? Can you provide examples or contrasts from your own cultural perspective?
