Trial of Mark Twain
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Transcript Trial of Mark Twain
Trial of Mark Twain
A FINAL DISCUSSION ON RACISM IN
THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
Is or isn’t Huck Finn racist?
Does reading Huck Finn help or harm race relations?
You will be staging a mock trial with Mark Twain as
the defendant. You will gather evidence, present it
before a Jury, and the Jury will come up with a
verdict.
The Trial of Mark Twain
Mark Twain has been accused of promoting racism
in the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
As a class, you will try the author and determine his
guilt or innocence.
Roles
2 - Judges
1 - Defendant (Mark Twain) and 1 Defense Team (3
students)
1 - Prosecution Team (3 students)
6 - Witnesses
3 - Jury Members
Role: Judge
Research court procedure and preside over the trial
Role: Defendant
Mark Twain
Role: Defense Team
Lead Counsel
Co-counsel
2 Attorneys
Role: Prosecution
Lead Counsel
Co-counsel
2 Attorneys
Role: Witnesses
Characters from the novel, authorities on Mark
Twain, authorities in racial matters, civil rights
leaders, authorities on Twain’s era of the novel, etc.
Role: Jury
Serve during the trial and reach a verdict based on
evidence presented in the courtroom.
Now….
Now that the counsel has been decided, your first
step is to decide who your witnesses are going to be.
You must come up with 3 witnesses to serve for you.
This decision must be made by tomorrow. You may
not share a witness, so if you may need to discuss
your final choices with your opposition before
tomorrow.
Tomorrow, all witnesses will be assigned to their
respective counsel.
Ready? Set! Go!
Split up into your respective roles and begin
researching and working on your role in this trial!
Remember, if this is done well…
NO FINAL HUCK FINN TEST FOR YOU!