Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapter 35 summary

What happens

1. Huck and Tom gather fox-fire for light, and Tom complains that Jim’s escape offers too few difficulties.
2. Tom proposes sawing the bed leg, making a sheet ladder, and supplying materials for Jim to record his imprisonment.
3. Huck takes clothing, and Tom argues that stealing supplies is acceptable when they serve an escape.
4. Tom carries their supplies into the lean-to while Huck keeps watch.
5. Tom rejects digging tools in favor of case-knives, but agrees they must work quickly and merely imagine a lengthy imprisonment.
6. Huck suggests using an existing saw blade, but Tom insists that he steal three knives instead.

In this chapter

What to notice

Tom openly admits that the obstacles are unnecessary. His desire to imitate adventurous escapes matters more to him than freeing Jim by the simplest means.

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