# Chapter XX explained — The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

> Chapter companion for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

## What happens

Huck, Jim, the Duke, and the King continue their journey down the river. The Duke devises a plan to allow daytime travel by creating a handbill describing Jim as a captured runaway slave. The King attends a camp-meeting to scam the attendees, while the Duke works at a printing office. They navigate a storm and avoid towns, with Huck and Jim expressing relief at having only two kings on board.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Identity

The Duke creates a false handbill to disguise Jim as a captured runaway, and Huck fabricates a story about their journey to avoid suspicion.

### Hypocrisy of Society

The King exploits the religious fervor of the camp-meeting for personal gain, highlighting the hypocrisy of those who profess piety while engaging in deceit.

## Character check-ins

### Huckleberry Finn

Narrates the chapter; devises a cover story to explain Jim's presence; goes with the King to the camp-meeting.

### Jim

Travels with Huck; expresses relief at not encountering more kings; tries to get the King to speak French.

### The Duke

Prints a handbill describing Jim as a runaway slave; devises a plan for daytime travel; works at a printing office.

### The King

Attends a camp-meeting to scam attendees; argues with the Duke over sleeping arrangements; is described as drunk.

## Key lines

> Goodness sakes! would a runaway nigger run south ?

Huck argues that a runaway slave would not head south, implying that Jim is not a runaway.

_Huck uses logic to deflect suspicion about Jim's status._

> Now,' says the duke, 'after tonight we can run in the daytime if we want to.

The Duke announces that his plan will allow them to travel during the day without risk.

_The Duke's scheme involves using a fake handbill to present Jim as a captured slave._

> Huck, does you reck'n we gwyne to run acrost any mo' kings on dis trip?

Jim asks Huck if they will encounter more kings on their journey.

_Jim expresses weariness with the King and Duke's antics._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters/xx
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/huckleberry_finn_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/huckleberry_finn_se/chapters