"Montagues and Capulets" from Romeo and Juliet
Scene: Jim and Huck dive off their raft to avoid a steamboat that collides with and breaks it. Huck makes it ashore and is taken in by the Grangerfords, a family that owns a large estate. The Grangerfords have been feuding for over 30 years with another wealthy local family, the Shepherdsons. At this point, nobody even remembers why the conflict started, but the situation is growing more violent. This escalate when Sophia Grangerford runs away with Harney Shepherdson, resulting in a bloody gunfight. (chapter 17-18)
Connection: The main, repeating melody in this song excerpt is related to the theme of death in the ballet Romeo and Juliet. It corresponds to the part of the score following a fight between the Montagues and Capulets, two rival families whose children fell in love with each other. The theme is also used after the fatal duel between Mercutio and Tybalt. With the song’s connection to death and forbidden love between rival families, it relates well to the situation with Sophia and Harney.
II Penseroso (The Thinker)
Scene: As they approach the mouth of the Ohio River, Huck wrestles with his conscience about whether he should return Jim to his “rightful owner”. After hearing Jim plan to possibly have abolitionists kidnap the rest of his family, Huck plans to give him up when he goes onshore. However, after Jim calls Huck his only friend, his heart softens and he decides definitively that he will help Jim reach his freedom even if it goes against what he has been taught. (chapter 16)
Connection: This is a contemplative song, corresponding to how chapter 16 is a reflective moment for Huck. The left hand is deliberative and demonstrates inner turmoil as it interrupts its own phrases. Meanwhile, the right hand roams as if it is following a stream of consciousness.
Birmingham Blues
Scene: One foggy night, Huck in the canoe gets separated from Jim on the raft. After temporarily being separated, Huck reunites with Jim, who is asleep. Jim is thrilled to see Huck alive, but Huck tries to trick Jim into thinking Jim dreamed up their separation. Jim believes him at first, but realizes Huck is trying to play him when he notices the debris on the raft. Jim is hurt, and Huck humbles himself and apologizes (chapter 15)
Connection: Blues have a blurry, muddled texture, similar to the foggy environment. Instead of just pure triad chords, there are 7ths, diminished chords, and accidentals added to give the song a more complex feel.
Katy's Dance
Scene: Jim and Huck come across a wrecked steamboat. They initially plan to loot it, but discover two robbers threatening to kill a third while exploring. Huck wants to book out of the suddenly dangerous situation (alert: murderers onboard) but Jim tells him their own boat has broken off. They steal the robbers’ escape boat and leave them stranded on the sinking wreck. (chapters 12-13)
Connection: The whole situation is actually fairly serious, but Twain communicates the scene in a casual and playful manner, and the scene moves quickly. The song has clashing chords, but is still lighthearted, and the melody moves quickly.
Piano Sonata in F Major K. 332
Scene: Huck goes ashore dressed as a girl to get information about what is going on in town. He is able to get information by talking to a new woman to the area, Mrs. Loftus. She deduces through a series of clever tests he is actually a boy, but Huck makes up a cover story about being an apprentice running away from a mean farmer. (chapter 10-11)
Connection: Syncopation is playing “off the beat”. When Huck dresses as a girl, the woman can tell something is off. The minor and 7th chords resolve to major chords, but the syncopation is still there. The woman thinks she has resolved the situation by getting Huck to “confess” that he is a run-away apprentice, but unbeknown to her, something is still off - Huck has narrowly avoided exposing himself, but has discovered that Mr. Loftus and some men are planning to search Jackson’s Island for Jim. He dashes back to Jim to warn him and help him escape.