The last 150 pages of The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn are very eye opening and eventful. Some of the things that take place are very hard for me to believe. But with all of the things that happen, Huck doesn't seem to be substantially affected. He does however battle with his conscience and the norms of society.
Lies and deceit are a big part of this section. It first starts when Huck and Jim come across two men who are only out for money. They go from town to town with Huck and Jim trying to get money out of people. They do anything imaginable to become rich. Some of the things include claiming to be British, pretending to be heirs to a deceased rich man and claiming to have lost "everything". This impacts Huck on an emotional level. He feels bad for the people they cheat out of money and is always thinking of ways to escape from them.
One thing that I realised in this last section is that Huck compares himself to Tom Sawyer. When he comes up with plans, he always finishes by saying "I do wish Tom Sawyer was [here], I knowed he would take interest in this kind of business." (Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 31) In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom is always mentioning how great Huck's life is and how awesome is would be to be him. In my opinion this really adds to the characters and to the story because the reader gets two perspectives on one topic.
This book is similar to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in that both Tom and Huck have to decide between good and bad. Huck knows what the right thing to do is, but is worried that he will be "taking considerable many risks."(154) Huck does make the right choice though and he feels the benefits of telling the truth; "'I'll pray for you' [she said] it makes my eyes water a little to remember [her]."(157)
Overall, Huck learns the consequences and impacts of lying. Just like in our world today, there are punishments for those who chose to break rules. There are also rewards for those who speak out such as Crime Stoppers and MADD. That said, it is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Response 3
This post will be focusing on the first part of the book The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn is one of Tom Sawyers best friends and loves adventure just as much as him.One of the themes of the first half of this book is friendship. In this book, Huckleberry Finn runs away from his abusive father with an African-American slave named Jim. At the time that this book is set in, the slaves are looked at as animals and not as equals; "The men was very huffy, and some of them wanted to hang Jim for an example...But the others said don't do it...his owner would turn up and make us pay for him." (Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 230) But Huck befriends Jim and thinks nothing of the prejudice around him. This shows the innocence of children. Just like today, many children are blind to the circumstances around them even though influences are everywhere. It is interesting that Huck isn't affected by the influences because, they are all around him and are even more substantial than the influences today.
This part of the book very clearly shows that there are no limits to love and friendship. If Huck would have been caught with Jim, he would have been punished severely but he still stuck beside him all the way to the end; "Jim won't ever forgit you, Huck, you's de bes' fren' Jim's ever had, en you's de only fren' ole Jim's got now." (251) Friendship can exist in a world of hatred and inequality. We chose who we befriend and who we leave out; labels and stereo-types shouldn't decide for us.
In my opinion, this section of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has a really nice message of friendship conquering all. It also demonstrates that we as humans shouldn't let our societies influence our choices and decisions. Our lives can be whatever we want and should be of our choosing.
Response 2
The second half of this book held many exciting and very unexpected adventures for Tom. Over the course of the rest of The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer Tom grows as a character and as a human being. He has a lot of courage and determination which helps him to mature.
At more than one point in the book, Tom has to experience things that I don't think a child should have to. He witnesses a man get murdered and has to save himself and his friend Becky from a cave. Even though these events are horrific, they don't seem to affect him. He comes out with more confidence in himself and becomes even more adventurous; "With and eager auditory about him, [he] told the history of the wonderful adventure." (Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 160) It was amazing to read that Tom could remain calm and collected in such terrible situations. The stereo-types that we have for children as being weak and fragile are disproved by this book. We shouldn't assume that children are incapable or can't handle certain things just because they are small and young. They should be given the chance to experiment and grow as human beings.
Throughout the second half of this book, Tom becomes more aware of his values and morals; "Every reference to the murder sent a shudder to his heart, for his troubled conscience." (117) He realises that telling the truth to save others is better than keeping a secret to save himself. His selfishness decreases as he realises the benefit of others was more important. In my opinion Tom becomes a more relatable character when he had to chose between good and bad. Prior to this point, I really had no personal connection to Tom because I don't really love adventure and the factors that influence his life, don't influence mine. For example, the idea that innocent people can be hung doesn't exist in Canada anymore. But when he shares that he is fighting with his conscience, I immediately understand how he feels and why he has such a hard time deciding.
His near death experience also helps him to mature and almost open his eyes to the dangers of the world around him. When he is trapped in the cave, every trick and game he played before seemed insignificant to the expedition he would have to go on to escape. This is expressed clearly when Tom's Aunt Polly says "He warn't bad...only mischeevous...he never meant any harm, and he was the best-hearted boy that ever was." (83) His maturity helps him to stay calm in this situation and think of a logical plan of escape. This situation really forces him to grow up and stop playing childish games.
Overall, Tom grows substantially as a character in the last part of this book. His reaction to events shows that children should be given a chance to succeed in what ever they do, even if it is dangerous or risky.
At more than one point in the book, Tom has to experience things that I don't think a child should have to. He witnesses a man get murdered and has to save himself and his friend Becky from a cave. Even though these events are horrific, they don't seem to affect him. He comes out with more confidence in himself and becomes even more adventurous; "With and eager auditory about him, [he] told the history of the wonderful adventure." (Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 160) It was amazing to read that Tom could remain calm and collected in such terrible situations. The stereo-types that we have for children as being weak and fragile are disproved by this book. We shouldn't assume that children are incapable or can't handle certain things just because they are small and young. They should be given the chance to experiment and grow as human beings.
Throughout the second half of this book, Tom becomes more aware of his values and morals; "Every reference to the murder sent a shudder to his heart, for his troubled conscience." (117) He realises that telling the truth to save others is better than keeping a secret to save himself. His selfishness decreases as he realises the benefit of others was more important. In my opinion Tom becomes a more relatable character when he had to chose between good and bad. Prior to this point, I really had no personal connection to Tom because I don't really love adventure and the factors that influence his life, don't influence mine. For example, the idea that innocent people can be hung doesn't exist in Canada anymore. But when he shares that he is fighting with his conscience, I immediately understand how he feels and why he has such a hard time deciding.
His near death experience also helps him to mature and almost open his eyes to the dangers of the world around him. When he is trapped in the cave, every trick and game he played before seemed insignificant to the expedition he would have to go on to escape. This is expressed clearly when Tom's Aunt Polly says "He warn't bad...only mischeevous...he never meant any harm, and he was the best-hearted boy that ever was." (83) His maturity helps him to stay calm in this situation and think of a logical plan of escape. This situation really forces him to grow up and stop playing childish games.
Overall, Tom grows substantially as a character in the last part of this book. His reaction to events shows that children should be given a chance to succeed in what ever they do, even if it is dangerous or risky.
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