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Thursday, March 28, 2013
First Impression
My theme is enslavement and freedom which can be seen throughout the novel various times. The main character, Huck is enslaved first by society and Pap. It is only when he runs away with Jim that he feels freedom on the raft. However, my impression on the book isn't a very good one. I believe it is because there is not climax so far. They're just traveling and meeting people but nothing is really happening. It was only until I got my theme that I started really focusing on each little detail. For example, Huck and Jim meet these two men who claim to be a king and duke. Huck figures out they are lying but decides to not say anything because of Pap. The values Pap instilled in Huck remain and still affect the way Huck behaves. This can be seen as enslavement. For freedom, both Jim and Huck say they were relieved upon being in the raft. They felt safe and away from the rules of society which is their freedom. It was interesting to see these two examples. Then when Buck kills a man, the crowd decides to lynch him. However, Buck says that the people are cowards and are only planning on killing him because one person suggested it. In a way the people were slaves of cowardice because in the end. They all scramble out of his property. Even Huck leaves. I feel the book is now more interesting than the beginning causing the events now to seem much more significant to me. I've also noticed Huck has matured more. He doesn't see everything as a game as when he did with the snake prank. He apologizes to Jim admitting it was difficult to do so and now thinks of Jim's safety. Even when he looses Jim and has to stay in a very nice house, he doesn't act out and lies quite well in order to keep himself safe. I think Huck has made great progress. also, Miss Sophie was a slave of the conflict with the Shepherdsons but eventually gains freedom by running away with her love. It was sort of cute even though I'm not into dramatic romance novels. I'm hoping for the future there will be more growth in Huck and more freedom than slavery. I also hope Jim finds his wife and children because if not, I will be very mad. But overall, the novel isn't boring and I believe I can learn a lesson from it.
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4 comments:
Honestly, from reading I didn't pick up that Pap actually instilled any value in Huck. Being the fact that I guess I was just so focused on him being abusive and a drunk. I learned something new on that. But as you said Huck and Jim feel like they have their freedom on the raft. If they truly felt a sense of freedom I don't think they'd be so worried and trapped in their own minds with their thoughts. It's true that Huck finally matured somewhat. I've noticed that because he knows that if he's going to be on his own there is no time for childish games. He has to grow up anyways because a child cannot do what Huck is doing. Protecting himself and Jim from lives they don't wish to return to. I also hope Jim gets his family back together I think of it as a great ending. I'm glad that we now read with our themes in mind because the book becomes so much more interesting.
I also said that Huck, the main character, is enslaved not only by society, but by his father too. The only comfort that Huck finds is when he escapes to the deserted island. The values that Pap enslaved on Huck truthfully were enslavement. However, I don’t agree when you say that your impression on the book isn’t a good one. I will admit some parts of the book are really boring, but most of it makes you believe like you are the main character. Hopefully, the book turns out better for both Jim and Huck. Huck will maybe meet his father again in a better world and Jim will meet his wife and children. I also believe that we can definitely learn a lesson from this book and I am very intrigued to see what the future beholds from this book.
LJ, I think you make a good point about bringing up society! Andrea, I am sorry to hear that you odn't like the book too much but think about this - Huck is a 13 year old boy who has never had anyone instill any real values or responsiblities in him. He runs away from a bad life with a black man who is fleeing for his life. There are no opportunities for either male in this time period in this place. They need real change in order to be free. Huck needs a positive male role model and Jim needs a way to find a life without the confines of slavery and then still be able to free his family. They are both stuck and they are working hard to change their lives and break their chains.
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