When I first heard I was going to read Huck Finn, I didn't think I would like it. During the first few chapter, I was confused with the dialogue. I also did not like the characteration of Huck Finn. He seemed an immature child, which I don't really care for. Then once I saw Huck change from the immature boy to a stong friend and man, I grewe to like. After that, I found it impossible to put it down. My favorite parts of Huck Finn were the characters In Huck Finn, Twain uses the dialogue, characters, and symbolisim to create a rich book filled with adventure and excitement in Pre-Civil War South.
The dialogues used in Huck Finn may have been hard to understand at the beginning for me, it made it realistic for the time period. Once I understood each dialogue, it gave me a glimpse into the time period. The way Jim talked was completely different from how Huck talked. That may show the difference in exposure. Due to Huck hearing on way of speaking, he learned to talk that way, and Jim was exposed to another accent and learned to talk with that accent. This makes it really realistic because back before the Civil War, the african american slaves had there own accent and the way of talking different from other whites. This makes very believable characters, which is what I think Mark Tewain wanted to portray that. It also helps create a view of African Americans and Whites back then as well. Jim's way of speaking makes him seem unintellegent while Huck seems to appear intellegent through his dialogue. Back then in the 19th century, American White population believed the black slaves to be beneath them and not as smart as them. I think that due to Twain growing around that envoirment, he portrayed Jim that way because that is what he believed.
I also liked the characters that Twain portrayed. Even minor characters were very well developed, and all characters were easily relatable. I saw myself relating to Tom Sawyer even though he was only mentioned in the beginning and the end of the story. He was troublesome and always wanted his plans to be over complicate his plans. I always try to overcomplicate plans and it always got me into trouble, just like Tom. Tom's personality also shows the differences in Huck Finn's character. In the end when trying to save Jim, Huck goes more of a simple plan, but can be as troublesome as Tom. This shows that Tom's relationship with Huck show that even though there can be difference in morals, peronality, etc., they can still be friends. I also like the relationship between Jim and Huck. I saw a true friendship that would survive all bounds. Many people have friendships like that and can relate to surviving all conflicts, like Huck and Jim, and they still had a great friend. I also liked to hate the character of Huck's father. It showed me that there are people so uncaring that they would beat the living daylights out of their children, and only care about his interests. In fact, at the end when it was revealed he was the dead many in the floating house, I didn't feel sorry for him. I believed he got what he deserved because of his actions.
Mark Twain's use of symbolisim made the book rich in figurative language as well as themes being presented. One symbol is when Huck trys to fool Jim, but ends up getting Jim bitten by a rattlesnake. This symbolizes a theme of every action has its consequences. Another symbol in Huck Finn is the feud of the Grangerfords and the Shepardsons. I believe that it means that revenge creates unrequireed deaths, and are extremely foolish. Another bit of symbolism in Huck Finn is the characters, "The Duke" and "The Dauphin". They probally symbolize the people you should probally avoid: the cheats and the con-men. Even though there were more symbolisim in Huck Finn, but those examples really stood out for me.
Although I didn't think I would like Huck Finn, it was a book filled with round characters, great symbolisim, and a wonderful use of dialogue made me rethink that idea. Twain's round characters kept me entertained and they made me relate the characters to people in my life. I also learned lessons from the various themes shown in the symbolism in various chapters. Finally, I enjoyed the different interactions of the characters, and I saw the true meaning of friendship from the relationship Huck had with both Jim and Tom. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is cleary a great classic novel for all ages.
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First, let me make a suggestion. The pink on the green is a bit difficult to read. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteNext, I want to focus on two things: the character contrast and the symbolism you address. Do you think it is important to show the contrast between Tom and Huck? Why? Can the audience understand the character contrast without having read Tom Sawyer? Why? Finally, do you think one is smarter than the other? How important is imagination, or is facing reality more important? I think you raise a lot of really good topics for discussion in the character contrast portion of your post.
The symbolism you found in the book I found interesting. Do these symbols relate to any themes found in the book? If so, what? Are symbols and themes closely related? How? These are two ideas that I would not mind seeing you possibly explore in detail in a longer piece, perhaps a future paper topic? Hmmm...
Finally, I want to thank you for making me realize my mistake. I responded to your post on my blog if you are interested in why I made the error. I sometimes need to be kept on track as much as students. Thanks.
I know exactley what you mean about the book being hard to understand. I disagree with you about him being an immature child! He acted beyond his years with the things he handled in this book. He saw many people die, he practically took care of himself, and he knew how to get around on his raft. His clever disguises showed truly how smart he is. But good job!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Mark Twain used great symbolism and vocabulary to describe the setting and time period. I also agree with CHandler that Huck was not an immature child. I think that Huck may have even been even more mature than most kids his age, as shown when TOm is in the novel at the end, and becomes sort of a foil to compare Hucks maturity to his own.TOm has much more crazy ideas than Huck and Huck knows they are crazy.
ReplyDeleteJust post a new comment. It will fall in order of posts, but do the same thing on your blog that you do on others to respond to someone. You may want to put his/her name, like in a letter, so he/she knows you are responding to him/her. Another way you can respond is go to their blogspots and post your response there. Either way will work. For example, I am responding to your question on my blog, but I will also put the same post on your blog so you are sure to find the answer. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the help Mrs. Jesik.
ReplyDeleteYes I do think it is important to show the contrast of the characters Huck and Tom. This is because it shows different character traits the can be admired in Huck and not Tom. Sometimes in my opinion, Tom's want to have trouble always ends up getting either himself or his friends hurt. Huck on the other hand does not want to hurt his friends, so he trys to avoid trouble. This makes Huck a man who is a wise leader. This may show that we, the readers, should try to be like him by not attracting trouble for ourselves. I also don't think it is necessary to read Tom Sawyer to get Tom's character. His actions in the ending chapters of Huck Finn show his kindness, courage, and quick thinking which are all important. I finally view Tom and Huck are both smart in their own way. They both make very smart plans to get Jim out, but it is just the ways to get Jim out are different. I think both imagination and facing reality are both important because facing reality will help the character or reader help solve problems for the better of man. It however takes imagination to think up those plans.
Yes, I do think some of my symbolisim I chose can relate to a theme. One theme that is presented is the theme of guilt. When Jim gotten bitten by the snake that was meant to be a joke for him, he later felt horrible. This can mean that guilt shows that people should feel guilt because that guilt can stop them from making the same mistake again. This would make them a better person. Another theme is the theme of revenge. The feud sited in my blog only brings pain and death. This can sow the reader that revenge is not the best way to solve your issues, and that would lead to a person learning to solve his or her issues peacefully instead of violence.
I do think that symbols and themes are related because that symbols in writing mean something else than what they truly are. Themes are usually shown in symbols or actions to convey a point of life to the reader.
Chandler and Kayla, I will explain why I first thought he was an imature child. When I saw how he acted towards his elders and running off to join a gang with Tom Sawyer showed me his immaturity. But when I read further, I saw he was not immature, but a man who has suffered alot and seen so much. I also saw his cleverness and his great courage to protect his friends. I understood that and grew to love his character. I'm sorry if i didn't show it that way.
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