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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

by Mark Twain

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Why does Huck put a dead snake on Jim's blanket in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?

Quick answer:

Huck puts a dead snake on Jim's blanket as a joke because Jim believes touching a snake skin brings bad luck, which Huck dismisses. However, the prank backfires when the snake's mate bites Jim, causing him to be sick for four days. This incident leads Huck to feel guilty, highlighting his growing maturity and concern for Jim's well-being.

Expert Answers

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In Chapter 10, Huck plays a joke on Jim because Jim believes that touching a snake skin brings bad luck. Huck doesn't believe in it, and puts a dead rattlesnake on Jim's bed to prove his point. It does bring bad luck, however, when the snake's mate comes and curls around the dead snake and bites Jim in the heel.

Jim is sick for four days after the snake bite, and Huck feels terrible about what he has done. This scene shows that Huck is becoming increasingly more mature and more concerned about Jim.

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