Huck and James

Due to cancellations, we have a couple of openings for course:  A discussion of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain and James by Percival Everett.

The first class is May 5th at 6 p.m. Please let me know if you are interested: jamesgblaine2@gmail.com

The course will explore the two novels in four sessions.
Dates: May 5, 12, 19, 26 @ 6 p.m.
Each session will meet once a week on Zoom and last 45 minutes.
Class size: minimum of 8, maximum of 12.
Format: discussion group.
Cost: $75
Readings: the two books
Prerequisites: none

Class 1: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
What did you think of the book? What did you like/not like about it? The novel was published in 1885 about events taking place 20 years earlier. How does it stand up 140 years later? Think yourself back in time and compare what your reactions would have been then and now. Why do you think this has been the most banned book in America from its publication to the present?

Class 2: James
What did you think of the book? What did you like/not like about it? What’s the significance of the title? In what ways does Everett’s story follow and/or diverge from Twain’s story? In what ways did this book really stretch your mind?

Class 3: Jim and James, Huck and Tom
What role does each of these characters play in the books? Are James and Jim the same person? What unites them? What differentiates them? How does Jim’s role evolve? Is Huck the same person in both books? How does his role evolve from Twain’s book to Everett’s

Class 4: From the Mississippi to America
How do these two novels, taken together, affect your thinking about America, past and present?

Payment: You can pay by: sending a check to me (James G. Blaine, PO Box, 1027, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662) or Venmo or Zelle. I can also include a Stripe option if that works better for you.