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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn · Chapter
Notice explained
The author issues a humorous warning against readers who seek a motive, moral, or plot in the narrative, threatening prosecution, banishment, or shooting.
What happens
The author issues a humorous warning against readers who seek a motive, moral, or plot in the narrative, threatening prosecution, banishment, or shooting.
Key passages
“Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot.”
Anyone who tries to find a reason behind this story will be taken to court; anyone who tries to find a lesson in it will be sent away; anyone who tries to find a storyline in it will be killed.
The author's playful threat warns readers not to overanalyze the story.