Chapter 1 Summary

Huckleberry Finn introduces himself as one of the protagonists in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He tells how he and Tom recovered six thousand dollars in gold and became rich. The Widow Douglas took Huckleberry as a son and tried to civilize him by subjecting him to a life of made beds, dinner bells and prayer. She also introduced him to the story of Moses, whose basket was hidden in the bulrushes, but Huck didn't think the story very practical. Her sister, Miss Watson, tried to introduce Huck to reading and manners, both of which he didn't take to easily. After having a shaking fit following his accidental murder of a spy, he heard something outside. It was Tom Sawyer.

Chapter 1 Analysis

Twain's masterful use of language in this book underscores his portrayal of an ignorant, country boy possessed by a lot of...