Topics for Reflection-- Pick two to respond to.
1. What is Mark Twain satirizing in the novel? Be specific and provide textual support for your claims.
2. How does Twain's depiction of Jim evolve as the novel progresses? Again be specific and provide textual support.
3. What is Huck's moral dilemma and how does he struggle? Again be specific and provide textual support.
4. Which of the secondary characters that Huck has met seems the most significant or meaningful to you? Why?
3. Huck's moral dilemma throughout the novel is whether or not he should continue to hide and protect Jim, or whether he should turn Jim in as a runaway. He knows that turning Jim in is the right thing to do because if he ever got caught with Jim, Huck himself could be in a great amount of trouble for helping to hide Jim. The first time that this moral dilemma arises is before the raft gets ruined by the steamboat. On the river, Huck was beside himself on what he should do about Jim, he was pacing up and down the raft. He finally decided that the next time they hit land, which was supposed to be Cairo, he would confess about Jim and turn him in. However, he never got to do this because he was thrown overboard and lost Jim. When he was reunited with Jim, he still felt uneasy about continuing this illegal adventure, but decided that it would be best for him and Jim to stay together. That way, Jim would be protected, and neither of them would be alone, considering that they have now become very close friends. Huck struggles with his own mind. He understands that the right thing is always the hardest, and knows the possible consequences of being an accomplice to a runaway slave. The struggle will likely continue throughout the rest of the book.
ReplyDelete4. A secondary character that is most significant to me is the King. The Duke and the Dauphin are two con men that join Huck and Jim on their adventures. The Dauphin is pretending to be a king. The king is so significant to me because his personality is very humorous, and makes the book enjoyable to read. The king is very clever, and can always think of something to get out of a tough situation. For example, he had the idea to do the Shakespeare revival in Arkansas in order to make money, and the idea that they would tie Jim up in a rope and pretend they had found a runaway if they ever had to bring him on land. Also, the King had the idea to pretend to be Peter Wilks's brothers in order to get money out of his will. Furthermore, the King is my favorite secondary character because he makes funny remarks, and tries to annoy Huck and Jim while on the raft. Overall, the king adds a different element to the novel other than the main characters, Huck and Jim.
2. How does Twain's depiction of Jim evolve as the novel progresses? Again be specific and provide textual support.
ReplyDeleteThe reader sees the story through the eyes of Huck, so the only way to track the progress of Jim as a character is how Huck sees him and gradually recognizes elements of his humanity. Though we so far have only read about half of the book, it is clear that Huck’s perception of Jim has changed. The first time the character of Jim is mentioned, Huck and Tom Sawyer are wandering in the night and Tom wants to prank Jim, which Huck seems uncomfortable with. Though Huck does not want to intentionally wrong Jim, he does not seem to care about him or think of him highly either. He later describes Jim in a rather condescending manner because Jim believes he has been kidnapped by witches as a result of Tom’s prank. After escaping his father, Huck encounters Jim again, who tells him he has run away from Miss Watson. Huck, though he does not know Jim well, promises him he won’t turn him in, saying “Well I did. I said I wouldn’t, and I’ll stick to it” (Twain 43). He still does not know Jim or possibly even see him as a person, but because he holds himself to his word, he seems to, at bare minimum, regard Jim as a human. Later in the book comes an important point in Huck and Jim’s relationship. It is foggy, so Huck tries to trick Jim into thinking he is hallucinating, only to be found out and have Jim be mad at him. Huck writes, “It was fifteen minutes before I would work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn’t even sorry for it afterward, neither” (Twain 86). This shows that Huck has learned to not only see Jim as a person, but he respects him enough to humble himself for someone he’s been told all his life is lesser than him. Huck and Jim continue to travel, their relationship seems to strengthen, and Huck learns about Jim’s family as well. Jim lets Huck in on the extreme guilt he feels for beating his daughter, not knowing that she had become deaf. This shows to the reader more of Jim’s humanity, as well as Huck, who can now see that Jim is a person with both family and emotions, and worth respecting. The fact that Jim is willing to share this with Huck also shows the level of trust they have built up, as so far Jim did not much more than mention them. If the novel is going to continue as it has so far progressed, I would guess that by the end Jim will be a fully dynamic character in both Huck and the readers’ eyes, with morals and emotions, which is very significant given that in the beginning he was shown only as a foolish, superstitious slave.
4. Which of the secondary characters that Huck has met seems the most significant or meaningful to you? Why?
Sherburn is the most significant to me because his story seemed almost out of place. He shot a man and was going to be lynched, but instead yelled at the crowd that they were cowards and somehow convinced them to not lynch him. This does not seem to affect Huck other than the fact that he witnesses the event; however, I think that Twain is making another scenario to demonstrate the dangers of a mob mentality. Huck has been conditioned to believe certain things, some which he rejects, like the need to go to heaven, and others that he seems to be working to overcome, like his perception of Jim as a human and not a slave (talked about above). The side story of Sherburn parallels Huck’s own story, and how easily one can be swept into a common belief and think that they are morally justified (as in lynching Sherburn), but be called out as cowards individually, which is what Huck tries so hard to prevent, as he attempts to act bravely and have adventures like Tom but always ends up needing the security of some sort of a crowd, otherwise he feels lonely.
2) Evolution of Jim
ReplyDeleteThe developing and changing identity of Huckleberry Finn in this story is something readers should focus on and think about when reading. However, it is also important to see the change in Jim through Huck’s eyes since we are reading in his viewpoint as a white male in the time of slavery. The change in Huck's character can be emphasized most clearly in his attitude towards Jim, the runaway slave who is his companion and future best friend aside from Tom Sawyer. Initially, Huck treats Jim in a way that we would expect of a white boy during the time Twain referred the book: he tricks him, placing a dead snake where he sleeps, which results in Jim being bitten by the dead snake's mate. He bullies Jim into getting involved in dangerous scrapes such as when they visit the floating boat, even though Jim does everything he can to persuade Huck to keep out of danger. He also lies to Jim when they are separated by fog in Chapter Fifteen. However, there is a crucial moment that represents the beginning of change in Huck towards Jim is when he realizes in this same chapter how much Jim cares about him and how worried he was. Jim speaks some very strong words to Huck expressing this love, but also expressing his sense of disappointment and anger that Huck could only think of tricking him and making him look stupid since he already feels like an outcast within society. Huck responds: “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn't every sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd a knowed it would make him feel that way ”(Twain 86).This comment, for a white boy growing up in the context of the novel, is revolutionary, as it shows Huck is beginning to see Jim as a human being rather than simply viewing him simply as a slave. This is something that we see more and more of as the novel progresses and Huck gets to know Jim more deeply as a caring, and loving companion
4) Important minor character
Miss Sophia is important because she represents a decietful and manipulative person who is very troublesome. She exemplifies another target of satire; feuding. The entire feud between the Granger fords and Shepard sons is ridiculous, but Miss Sophia is the one that really blows it up; which is why Twain uses her to build on his satire She manipulates Huck with her beauty as Huck states:" I found that sweet Miss Sophia standing in her door, which was next to ours, and she took me in her room and shut the door very soft, and asked me if I liked her..." (Twain 93) Upon her request, he delivers a note to her she later runs away with Harney Sheperdson, which causes the entire feud to blow up, killing off the rest of the family, and ultimately scarring Huck. This event breaks his heart as he feels at fault with the death of his temporary family. Also one of the first examples in which Huck does something for somebody else without gaining anything back; very selfless He shows a great deal of guilt and grief because of the unraveling of events.
3. Huckleberry Finn is a young boy who grew up in the southern part of the United States. Here southern culture thrives off of and accepts slavery into their daily lives and economy. Growing up here Huck has only come to know the mistreatment of African Americans. Although Huck's surroundings try to mold him to be a certain way, he still develops his own feelings about Jim. In one moment of emotional progress Huck fools Jim after they had been separated on the river. After what he had done Huck felt bad and said "IT was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterward, neither. I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd a knowed it would make him feel that way" (Twain 86). In this excerpt it is clear Huck does feel remorse for what he did to Jim regardless of his skin color. But he does feel troubled about this as his moral dilemma is that he feels sorry for Jim who is black and society does not support this therefore Huck feels confused.
ReplyDelete4. One of the secondary character in Huckleberry that hold a great significance in the book in my opinion is pap. Pap is not a positive character because he is abusive and a drunk. He never really provides stability or love for Huckleberry which makes Huck want to run away. To me Pap is one of the most important characters of the book as he is the reason that Huck wants to leave, gets caught up with the widow, escapes to Jackson's Island and meets his friend Jim who breaks racial barriers. Pap is the trigger for Huck's actions which becomes the plot of the book.
-Amy C.
2. Through the course of the novel, the perception of Jim drastically evolves from the typical view of African Americans at the time to an advanced perception. Since the book is written in Huckleberry Finn's perspective, the only change and input which is revealed to the reader comes from his thoughts. From meeting Jim to building a relationship, Huck has come a long way with his journey on the Mississippi River. In the beginning, when Huck still lived in his hometown with his father and at one point with Miss Watson, he grew up learning the values and morals of those around him. Since the story takes place in the mid 1800's, slavery was a popular option for work in America, especially in the Southern part of the country. The first time Jim is actually introduced to the novel, Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer are adventuring in the woods. After Jim went outside to investigate the noise they made, he "stood right between [Huck and Tom]; [they] could 'a' touched him," and later when he fell asleep, "Tom whispered to [Huck], and wanted to tie Jim to the tree for fun" (Twain 5). This shows the depiction of Jim in the beginning of the novel, a dumb and clueless character who is disrespected by others. Jim is treated very similarly to how many African Americans were treated at the time, largely looked down upon and strictly seen as lower than human. However, this perception of Jim evolves through the course of the novel. Later. when Huck is running away from home, he escapes town and shortly after finds Jim in the woods. From this moment Huck and Jim form a relationship which would have never been fathomed by someone from the time, a white boy who enjoys the company of a black man. Huck begins to become enlightened with the person Jim truly is, one who is just trying live a happy life with his family. Over time, Huck builds a strong relationship and near the middle of the novel respects Jim and regards him as a friend would. One day, after a great amount of fog on the river and being split up, Huck finally catches up to Jim, who is asleep. When Huck wakes Jim up, he lies and pretends as if they were never separated by the fog and it was all just a dream. Jim knew better and felt sad that Huck would lie to him like this. After retreating to the wigwam, Huck apologizes and thought, "I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd 'a' knowed it would make him feel that way" (Twain 86). Now, Jim is finally being seen as human through Huck's eyes and is depicted as having emotions and human characteristics.
ReplyDelete4. Through his journey with Jim down the Mississippi River, Huck has encountered many characters, several of which intrigue me. I believe the King has the most impact on me, and is the most significant secondary character. First of all, the King is a very humorous individual who brings joy into reading the book. Whether it is on the raft or in town, the King has a fascinating presence which makes me want to learn more. The King is a very interesting man when it comes to his thinking and thought patterns with scamming people. Even though it is an awful thing to do, the King is clearly a great scam-artist when it comes to tricking others into giving him money. Multiple times he has devised a plan and acted with it so well that I admire his cleverness and quick-witted attributes. After pretending to be the brother of dead Peter, the King lied and acted so well, as if he lived with Peter's family for all his life, with the way he knew information, cried emotionally, and gave heart warming speeches. In the end, the King simply brings a presence into the novel which no other character does, with his clever mind.
Twain's depiction of Jim evolves as the novel progresses. This is evident in the way Twain describes Jim at the start of the novel and how his perception changes. Twain initially describes Jim as the common Southern white slave owner might. He portrays him as ignorant and superstitious "always keeping a five center- piece round his neck with a string [which he said] the devil gave to him" (6). Jim is described as dumb with an over the top imagination and superstitious thoughts. He is thought of like the average slave with no exquisite characteristics to make him more than just a slave. Jim is not described with any human characteristics but mainly is portrayed as the usual ignorant and gullible slave. There are no refining characteristics about Jim at the start of the novel and he is not at all described by Twain as a man but rather a subordinate of man, especially of slaveowners. In fact, the slaves are depicted as property rather than actual human beings.
ReplyDeleteAs the novel progresses, Huck gets to know Jim better through a series of adventures. Huck explores the more human side of Jim and begins to change his perspective on Jim. For instance, when Huck plays a trick on Jim, he notices how hurt Jim was. Jim portrayed his horror at the thought of losing Huck and showed true feelings for Huck as a good friend or even fatherly figure to him. Huck did not realize that Jim could possess the redeeming qualities such as emotion and care for someone. Huck’s upbringing, living in the South where slavery was common, tainted his views on slaves. He therefore felt astonished that Jim could respond to him in such a way and even apologized. Huck earnestly admits after his trick that “it was 15 minutes before [he] could work [himself] up to a n*****; but [he] done it and warn’t ever sorry for it afterward, neither. It was decided no more mean tricks, not if it made him [Jim] feel that way” (86). Huck finally begins to realize the extent of his jokes and pranks on Jim. Although Huck was hesitant at the start with Tom Sawyer’s trickery, he did not really care either. Huck finally gained an appreciation and sense of respect for Jim in the very moment of Jim’s reaction to the prank. Huck comes to an understanding that Jim must have human characteristics in order to feel such a fatherly caring for him and cannot be simply a slave without any emotion. Huck begins to realize the flaws of his previous understanding and begins to envelop Jim’s new character as a genuine man figure. It is also easy to show how Jim could foil Huck’s own father in the respect of care and affection for Huck. Jim exhibits more fatherly qualities to Huck in the way he is protective and caring of him whereas Jim’s own father has priorities elsewhere rather than his son. Jim, a slave, seems to show better values and even love to Huck than Huck’s own father who is initially shown as the good southern father (despite his drinking problem). Huck also begins to realize this as the novel progresses and starts to understand the flaws of his culture and how he is conditioned to think. He unveils the human qualities of Jim throughout his numerous adventures and starts to somewhat realize the truth about his society.
4. The secondary character who seems the most meaningful to me is Miss Sophia. This is because I find her character interesting and mischievous. Although her family, the Grangerfords, is in a feud with the Shepherdson’s, she still attempts to escape with Harney Shepherdson who is the rival of her family. Miss Sophia’s scandalous acts to try to escape with her family enemy reminds me of Shakespeare's story Romeo and Juliet. In both stories, two lovers are from opposite clans and try to defy the principles of their family ties by attempting to find a way to be together despite all odds. Overall, I find Miss Sophia’s character to be most intriguing due to her courage in defying her family and attempting to be with her loved one.
~ Julia Tuck
2. Throughout the story Twain's depiction of Jim evolves as the novel progresses. As the story becomes more complex so does Jim. In the beginning of the story Jim is portrayed to be a not well educated, superstitious slave. However, as the story progresses we learn that Jim is a caring, smart, kind, and family oriented man. We also see that everything Jim does is always done with a reason, or with meaning. For example, Jim ren away with the buying his families freedom cost shortly after. He also plays the role of Jim’s better judgment. When Huc is judging whether to go on a boat to take whatever they find, Jim warns against it. He plays the role of not only Huck’s friend but also a father figure. Jim goes from an uneducated slave to a character that Huck is willing to go to hell for. Huck realizes that he would feel worse doing “the wrong thing” of keeping him a secret.
ReplyDelete3. As the story progresses we see that Huck is going through a moral dilemma. This dilemma is whether or not to give Jim in as a runaway slave, or continue hiding him. We also see that in this time turning in a runaway slave was considered the right thing to do. If you did this right thing it was considered a good deed that made u good enough for heaven. However, on the other hand, if u kept a runaway slave a secret it was considered a sin that you could go to hell for. As the story progresses we see that Huck is given chances to give Jim in and not have to deal with him anymore. When he got to the free city they were looking for they had to pass through a check for runaway slaves. He lied to the men and told them not to check because he was hiding his family who had a version of smallpox they could catch. It is at that very moment that Huck feels like he does not want to give Jim up. He says that if he were to go to hell for the sin he committed, it would be worth it.
Rebecca Zaki
3. Huck’s moral dilemma seems to be fighting his conscience as he struggles deciding what is right and what is wrong. In chapter 16, Huck has an internal battle deciding whether or not he was wrong for helping Jim escape. As Jim talks about how close he is to freedom, Huck realizes that he is to “blame” for this. At one moment Huck tries to defend himself and says that “[he] didn’t run Jim off from his rightful owner”, but retaliates his own defence by bringing up the fact that Huck could have told anyone about Jim. His conscience even turns on him by making him feel guilty towards someone he’s always disliked, Miss Watson. Huck had hated when she forced him to learn things, but says he had wronged her, an old woman who “tried to learn [him] his book, she tried to learn [him] his manners, she tried to be good to [him] in every way she knowed how” (87). Despite this mindset, Huck does not rat Jim out when given the chance when a man asked if he had seen any runaway slaves. Instead, Huck finds a way to prevent the man from seeing Jim entirely. After escaping the man, Huck comes to the realization that “suppose [he’d] done right and give JIm up, would [he] felt better than what [he] did now,” no, he would have felt the same way. Huck comes to the conclusion that his conscience was too confusing to deal with and that from then on he choose to do “whichever [came] handiest at the time" (91).
ReplyDeleteSomething similar occurs with the duke and the king. Huck knows they’re scamming people, but what they do always produces money, so there is never much complaint coming from him. Even when Jim brings up the fact that the duke and the king are awfully good at tricking other, despite their high status, Huck justs says it’s just in their breed, rather than admit their rapscallions. It goes a little too far for Huck’s liking when the duke and the king pretend to be Peter Wilks’s brothers, feigning pain to gain Peter’s wealth. As he watches them, Huck says he’d “never [seen] anything so disgusting” (164), but again makes no attempt to reveal their real identity to the the town.
1. In the novel “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, Mark Twain is satirizing how white Americans viewed slaves. One example of this is when Huck is giving the reasons to why he had done wrong by helping Jim escape. Huck hears Jim talk about how he was going to get his family back together and ever steal them if he needed to, and is completely appalled. Huck is mortified to hear Jim “saying he would steal his children—children that belonged to a man [he] didn’t even know; a man that hadn’t ever done [him] no harm” (88). He uses irony to show how Huck believes it is wrong for Jim to take his own children away from the man who owned them, when really Jim’s children shouldn’t belong to anyone but their parents. Another example is later on in the book when Huck hears Jim talking about how much he missed his family, making Huck think that maybe “he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their’n. It [didn’t] seem natural, but [he] reckons it’s so” (155). Through this Twain shows that whites did not see slaves as human beings, they didn’t think that slaves also have feelings. And even when Huck realizes this, the idea seems so foreign to him, implying that that’s what people were taught to believe.
ReplyDeleteQuestion #2: Throughout the novel, Twain's depiction of Jim changes drastically. When we first meet Jim in the book, he is characteristics as simple minded and almost stupid. However, this changes greatly as the novel unfolds and we see more into the life of Jim. As Jim and Huckleberry rely on each other more and more, we see how anyone can establish a relationship or friendship with anyone else regardless of what they look like or sounds like. This holds true throughout Jim and Hucks' adventures. As they encounter more hardships together, this bond only becomes stronger between the two.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, they both need a helping hand when they face trouble or danger together. If it were not for them meeting, things in the novel would be very different. Also, as the novel continues, we see more into the personality of Jim. Compared to when we first hear of and meet Jim, he sounds like a completely different character.He evolves drastically as it keeps going and develops a new attitude in a way. Also, when we first meet Jim, he is almost made to sound stupid or superstitious by Twain. Huck explains to us how "This time he said the hair-ball was all right. [Jim] said it would tell my whole fortune if I wanted it to. I says, go on. So the hair-ball talked to Jim, and Jim told it to me. He says: 'Yo' ole father doan' know yit what he's a-gwyne to do. Sometimes he spec he'll go 'way, en en ag'in he spec he'll stay...'" (Twain 18). The way that Huck describes changes from this to a more developed character.
Also, the fact that the story is told from Huck's point of view shows how much Jim changes in Huck's eyes. The way Huck "writes" about Jim shows the reader how much he changes to him. The way he describes him or portrays him show how he slowly humanizes Jim. We are able to see this since it is told from Huck's position.
All in all, the way that Jim is portrayed or depicted throughout the novel. We see how Huckleberry slowly changes and evolves in Huck's eyes as they both experience more events. Huck begins to no longer see Jim as a runaway slave, but as more of a friend to rely on.
Question #4: In the novel, there are many important secondary characters. Each plays a very important role when it comes to forming the plot in the story and the way in which it is carried out. While Huck and Jim are the main focus in the novel, many other characters play a large part in affecting what they do and how they act. Many of them serve a great role on impacting how events in the novel unfold around both Huck and Jim and what decsions they make because of them. One of the arguably most important secondary characters would have to be Buck Grangerford. He served as a close friend and companion for Huckleberry when no one else had his back. He was able to open Huck’s eyes to new things in the world and change his point of view and outlook on life. Huck often struggled to find people to rely on throughout his, even his father seemed to be pitted against him for as long as he could remember. Buck filled this position in Buck’s life even with the Grangerford and Shepherdson feud at hand. Buck served as a helping hand in Huck's tough life and was there when he needed a shoulder to lean on. This led up to when Buck was killed by a Sheparson because of the feud going on between the two families. This destroyed Huck as he lost one of his only close and sure bonds after leaving his home to get away from his father.
2.) Twain's depiction of Jim is constantly changing and evolving in a positive way as the novel progresses. At the beginning of the novel, Jim is clearly depicted as gullible and foolish. This is clearly shown when Huck and Jim are almost spotted sneaking around outside of the house JIm is a slave at. After searching for the cause of the noise that Jim had heard, he decides to rest under a tree until he hears the noise again. After Jim falls asleep, the two boys seize the opportunity and escape, but before Tom joins Huck, he hangs back to play a trick on Jim. Huck claims, “Tom said he slipped Jim’s hat off of his head and hung it on a limb right over him, and Jim stirred a little, but he didn’t wake. Afterward Jim said the witches bewitched him and put him in a trance, and rode him all over the state, and then set him under the trees again, and hung his hat on a limb to show who done it. In this instance, Jim is clearly seen a fool, who is easily tricked. Furthermore, Twain's perception of Jim is changed completely as the novel progresses. While Huck and Jim are floating down the river, the two lose each other in a fog. After searching for Jim, Huck finally finds him sleeping on the raft. Because Jim is asleep and Huck still believes he is foolish, he tries to convince Jim that the two were never separated and that it was all just a dream. After Jim believes him, Huck immediately feels bad for tricking him. Huck asserts, “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a n*****; but I done it , and I warn’t every sorry for it afterward, neither. I didn’t do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that one if I’d ‘a’ knowed it would make him feel that way.” (86). In this second occurrence, it is clear that Twain’s depiction has changed. Although Jim is still proven to be foolish, Huck, a white boy, is willing to show compassion to him. This makes it clear that Jim is beginning to become more of a respectable person in the eyes of Huck.
ReplyDelete4.) All of the secondary characters in the novel “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” play a crucial role in the development of not only the story, but the development of Huck Finn as well. Considering this criteria, I believe that Jim is the most important secondary character. From the early chapters of the novel, it is clear that Huck and Jim need each other to survive. It is important that one has the other because they have similar goals that they both wish to achieve, one of them being freedom. In addition, Jim is crucial in the development of Huck as a person. As previously stated in Question 2, Huck begins to have evolving feelings towards Jim. In the beginning of the novel, Jim was nothing more than a foolish slave to Huck. Now that Jim is his “partner in crime”, Huck feels compassion towards Jim. This is clear after the occurrence in which the two are separated but are later united. Following this unison, Huck decides to play a trick on Jim. Huck immediately feels the moral backlash of his trickery. This is clear when Huck claims, “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a n*****; but I done it , and I warn’t every sorry for it afterward, neither. I didn’t do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that one if I’d ‘a’ knowed it would make him feel that way.” (86). In this statement, it is clear that Huck knows just how important it is to have Jim not only by his side, but to have his respect as well. In conclusion, Jim is the most important secondary character because he is crucial to the development of the plot, as well as other characters, specifically, Huck.
-Jason Frank
2. How does Twain's depiction of Jim evolve as the novel progresses? Again be specific and provide textual support.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the novel, Mark Twain does not depict Jim as a very complex Character. The first time Jim is mentioned in the story, he seems very superstitious. Huck said that the slaves are “always talking about witches in the dark by the kitchen fire; but whenever one was talking and letting on to know all about such things, Jim would happen in and say, “Hm! What you know ‘bout witches?” and that n***** was corked up and had to take a back seat” (Twain 6). Jim seems to believe in things such as witches and claims to have seen the devil. Jim just seems like any slave, and is not important to Huck. Huck is the narrator of Jim, so we see Jim through Huck’s eyes. Throughout the novel, Jim and Huck become very good friends. When Huck arrived on the island, he saw someone sleeping on the ground and, “Pretty soon he gapped and stretched himself and hove off the blanket, and it was Miss Watson’s Jim! I bet I was glad to see him.” (Twain 41). Huck had been so lonesome on the island, and was so happy to finally have someone in his company. At this point, he did not see Jim as a slave, but as a human who could keep him company. From this point forward, Huck and Jim form a very close relationship, and they stick together for a long time so far in the novel. At one point while on the river, Huck and Jim come across some men in a boat who want to search for escaped slaves. Huck tells the men that his family is on board the raft and that they are all suffering from smallpox. The men are very frightened by this, and do not want to get smallpox. Because of this, they do not check Huck’s boat and leave him with gold. Huck felt bad that he lied to the men, but “Then I thought a minute, and says to myself, hold on; s’pose you’d a done right and give Jim up, would you felt better than what you do now? No, says I, I’d feel bad—I’d feel just the same way I do now.” (Twain 91) Huck could never give up Jim like that after all they have been through together. Huck and Jim trust each other, and this shows how their relationship has greatly changed during the book. Huck started out as superior to Jim, and now they are equals, just trying to survive on the river.
4. Which of the secondary characters that Huck has met seems the most significant or meaningful to you? Why?
Many of the minor characters have an importance to both Huck and Jim. Some of these characters have a positive impact, while others have a negative impact. Out of all of the secondary characters in the novel, I think that Buck Grangerford was the most significant. Buck made Huck feel welcomed and at home when he stayed with their family. Buck tells Huck that he should stay with him because they will have lots of fun together. Huck admires the Grangerford house and family because he says, “It was a mighty nice family, and a mighty nice house, too. I hadn’t seen no house out in the country before that was so nice and had so much style.” (Twain 99). Buck teaches Huck many things, such as riddles and why families are in feuds with each other. Buck becomes a good friend of Huck, and Huck really enjoys staying at the Grangerford’s house. Huck says that nothing could be better, and he probably wished that he could live with the Grangerford’s forever. When Buck is shot and killed, it leaves Huck very upset and shocked. Buck seemed to have the most importance to Huck out of all of the secondary characters.
2) Twain's depiction of Twain drastically changes as the novel progresses. Upon his first introduction, Jim is nothing short of a big, dumb oaf. Huck and Tom Sawyer decide to pull a prank on him, which he completely falls for and even brags to others about the experience. The fact that Huck, the narrator, knows the truth makes Jim seem like an ignorant fabulists who “was most ruined for a servant, because he got stuck up on account of having seen the devil and been rode by witches” (6). Huck’s reflection that Jim has lost his value as a result of his ego strips Jim of his humanity, leading to the conclusion that a black man’s only worth is in the labor he provides. Unlike a machine, however, Jim is a living, breathing human, which Huck eventually discovers on his travels with him. As Jim appears throughout the beginning of the novel, Huck continues to treat him as if he were an idiot. He tries to trick Jim into thinking that he had a dream that Huck had disappeared, and, in response, Jim calls Huck trash. Huck then apologizes to Jim for tricking him, saying that he “warn’t ever sorry for it afterward, neither” (86). Though a small example, this is a representation of equality between the two characters in the book; Huck, a white boy, can find it in himself to apologize to Jim, a runaway slave. From that point on, Huck and the reader become more aware of Jim’s emotions. He vocalizes more about his family, and Huck eventually finds that he cannot bring himself to turn Jim in, deciding that it would be better to go to hell than to betray a good person like Jim. Huck remarks that Jim “... cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their’n” (155). Though it can be seen as an offensive statement due to Huck's surprise that Jim is capable of emotion, it also serves as common ground between the two races, whom Huck finds are very similar beneath the skin.
ReplyDelete4) The duke and the dauphin seem the most meaningful to me because of the social significance that the duo carries. They fuel Huck's maturation throughout the novel. Huck is shown to pick up on their schemes rather quickly, especially for a boy who ran away from being 'sivilized' . He begins to pick up on the error of their ways after they cheat a girl out of her inheritance. This instance allows Twain to elevate Huck's position above that of 'uncivilized' people; despite being uncivilized himself, he displays a quality of good-heartedness which is not shown in the people that Huck encounters along the way. In this way, the duke and king raise Huck's status by default.
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ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: Throughout the novel, Jim’s portrayal evolves greatly. Jim is seen through the perception of Huck, and his depiction grows along with the relationship between Huck and Jim. At the start of the novel, Jim is portrayed as inferior and of low intelligence. Huck did not have any respect for Jim, as he played a trick on him and did not see him as more than a slave. When Huck met up with Tom Sawyer, he was cruel to Jim as he says, “When we was ten foot off Tom whispered to me, and wanted to tie Jim to the tree for fun” (Twain 5). Huck clearly did not care for Jim and did not mind if he hurt him. However, Huck’s perception of Jim changes once the two run away and become friends. Huck plays another trick on Jim later in the novel, when he convinces him that the time they were separated in the fog was all just a dream. However, once Jim realizes Huck has been tricking him, he becomes angry, saying that it wasn’t right for Huck to do that considering how worried Jim had been that he’d lost him. Rather than being unconcerned, Huck feels guilty, saying, “It made me feel so mean I could almost kissed his foot to get him to take it back” (Twain 86). Huck’s perception of Jim evolves so much that he begins to see Jim as a human being with feelings and worth, rather than someone who is inferior or less-than. He begins to see Jim as a man rather than a slave, as he says, “[Jim] was thinking about his wife and his children, away up yonder, and he was low and homesick; because he hadn’t ever been away from home before in his life; and I do believe he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their’n” (Twain 155). Huck begins to view Jim in equity with the way he views white men, showing his growth in respect for Jim.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 4: Throughout Huckleberry Finn, a wide variety of secondary characters are introduced. They each hold their own significance and effect on the novel and Huck as a character. One particularly significant character was Pap Finn. Pap Finn was Huck’s father and had a largely negative impact on Huck’s life. Pap Finn was an alcoholic and was extremely abusive towards his son, and Huck did not particularly like or sympathize with his father. However, Pap Finn maintained a strong influence over Huck’s life. Pap’s actions drove Huck to make many of the decisions he made throughout the novel, such as running away and staying with the widow. He was never a positive influence on Huck and never provided him with the support he needed, driving him to become the self-sufficient person and independent thinker he was.
Question 3: Huck's moral dilemma in the book is whether or not to turn in Jim as a runaway slave. When Huck first sees Jim on Jackson's Island, Huck is appalled when he finds out that Jim ran away. When Jim began to freak out, Huck soothed him, and said "I said I wouldn't, and I'll stick to it" (Twain 43). Even though he agrees with slavery, he stuck to his word and did not tell anyone. Eventually, Jim and Huck have to run away from Jackson's Island to avoid getting caught.They go on an adventure together, and become close. Huck even apologizes to Jim after playing a cruel prank on him. Then, Huck realized once they were trying to get into the free states, that he was helping Jim get free. Jim felt awful, because freeing Jim would lead to the freeing of his wife and children, and they "belonged to a man that I didn't even know; a man that hadn't ever done me no harm" (Twain 88). Huck, who grew up surrounded by slavery, feels guilty that he helped to free a slave, and that freed slave freed other slaves. Yet, Huck struggles to turn in Jim either. When he had the chance to tell two men that he had a runaway slave aboard his raft, he lied and told him there was a white man aboard. Huck felt guilty about lying, but when he imagined turning in Jim instead, he would feel "just the same way" (Twain 91). Huck is stuck between believing in slavery and wanting Jim to be free.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 4: The most meaningful secondary character that Huck meets in his life was Pap. His father set off the chain reaction that caused Huck’s adventures to occur. Pap abused Huck almost his entire life, and was a drunk. Huck picked up on Pap’s bad habits, such as cursing and lying to get what he wants. When Huck had to live with Pap again in a cabin in the woods, Huck remarked that he would have enjoyed it if it was not for the constant beatings. Therefore, Huck ran away the first chance he got, ultimately running into Jim.
3. What is Huck's moral dilemma and how does he struggle? Again be specific and provide textual support.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, the reader sees Huck's mental struggle and conflict about being friends with Jim. Not only being friends, but it crosses his mind that he is helping a slave. Even though the reader knows that Huck learns to view Jim as an actual human, there is a few times where he contemplates if this is right.When Huck and Jim were traveling in the river to reach up north, Huck is thinking deeply on what he is doing with Jim and as the narrator he tells the reader, “it made me all trembly and feverish, too, to hear him, because I begun to get it through my head that he was most free—and who was to blame for it? Why, me. I couldn’t get that out of my conscience, no how nor no way. It got to troubling me so I couldn’t rest; I couldn’t stay still in one place” (Twain 87). This is a clear example of a singluar moment when it crossed his mind of what he is actually doing. Being that he grew up in this time period of the south, he has no modern knowledge that slavery is actually a bad section of society. He feels as if he betraying Miss Watson and practically "stealing" this piece of property (Jim). Though he really wants to try his best to be a friend to Jim because that is how Jim is to him. He knows a good friend would help out Jim and continue their journey to the free states. And the reader eventually learns that Huck learns to accept Jim as an actual human being and friend over this struggle.
4. Which of the secondary characters that Huck has met seems the most significant or meaningful to you? Why?
Throughout the novel, the readers have come across a variety of minor characters on their journey to the north. They all play some type of an important action or relevant meaning to the story. One of the most significant secondary character that Huck knew before this journey was his own father, Pap Finn. Although, he really did not show any positive qualities and characteristics, he played an important role in where Huck stands today in the novel. Pap is an abusive alcoholic, horrible father to Huck and it adds to the later characterization of Jim. The contrast of the negative qualities of Pap, exemplify how Jim serves as a much better father figure to him. In addition, if it was not for Pap, Huck would have never ran away. This is because when Huck lived with his father he would always get abused and one night realized how dangerous of a situation he is in, so had to escape to the island. On this island, he met Jim who he already previously knew, and they developed a positive relationship with eachother, that benefits Huck as a character.
Twain's depiction of Jim greatly evolves as the novel progresses. In the beginning Jim is portrayed as primitive and gullible. This is shown when Huck tells about Jim's magic hair ball, "He said there's a spirit inside of it, and it knows everything,"(Twain 17). This would make the reader believe that the slaves were uneducated and dumb enough to take advice from an inanimate object. Also in the beginning the author discusses how the slaves were basically worshippers' of the devil. Since Huck was born and raised in this community he was seasoned to believe in these racist ideas. Although he may have been conditioned to think this way, he was able to think for himself as he got to know Jim better. His image of Jim evolved from him just being a slave and property to even a friend. The reader can be sure of this when Huck apologizes to Jim. This was hard for Huck and he even admitted, "it was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger,"(86).Even though it was not easy, just the fact that a white boy at the time apologized to a slave was a huge step in the right direction. This was intentional to depict Huck's character development and independence of thought. It showed that Jim was no longer as looked down on as he was in the beginning and that he was becoming more equal in huck's eyes.
ReplyDelete4. The most significant secondary character that is introduced I feel is Huck's father. I completely agree with Jude. If it wasn't for his father Huck would have not been the character that he was. His characteristic such as his independence and open mindedness come from his lack of guidance and his neglectful father. If his parents were always their for him Huck, like many children would have became dependent on his parents. Huck's parents would have most likely drilled into his mind the idea of slavery too. This would have made Huck like everyone else just extremely racist with no flexibility. His father not being there shaped him into who he was. This is why the father is so significant. His little involvement in the long run seemed to help Huck grow into his own person and have independent thought.
2. How does Twain's depiction of Jim evolve as the novel progresses? Again be specific and provide textual support.
ReplyDeleteTwain’s depiction of Jim changes greatly throughout the novel so far. Twain first presented Jim as a very naive and unintelligent slave. He was quick to trust Huck and did not think for one second that Huck would turn him in. Jim did not believe that Huck would lie to him. Jim said, “But you wouldn’t tell on me of I ‘uz to tell you, would you, Huck? ...Well, I b’lieve you Huck. I run off”(42). Jim chose to see the best in Huck because he needed someone he could trust. Jim was also extremely fearful at the beginning of the novel. He worried that someone would see him and take him back to his owner. He feared being sold and separated from his family. However, as he got closer to freedom while on the canoe with Huck, he became a little less frightened and a little more hopeful. While the two were still looking for Cairo, Jim talked about how “he would go to saving up money and never spend a single cent, and when he got enough he would buy his wife, which was owned on a farm close to where Miss Watson lived”(88). This evolution of Jim’s character shows how much freedom and family meant to slaves. Another important aspect of Jim’s progression in Twain’s book is how he is perceived by Huck. At the beginning of the novel, to Huck Jim is just a slave who is inferior to all whites. He doesn’t care much about him, but he also does not turn Jim in. However throughout the novel, the reader sees their bond grow much stronger. Jim’s love for Huck can be seen in all the moments they are reunited after they had been separated, “He nearly cried he was so glad, but he warn’t surprised. Said he swum along behind me that night…”(111). One of the most meaningful moments in their relationship is when Jim confesses, “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,”(89). Because of Jim’s words, Huck decides to protect Jim and not turn him in as a runaway. Even though Huck feels it is the wrong thing to do, he does it because Jim is not just an inferior slave to him anymore.
3. What is Huck's moral dilemma and how does he struggle? Again be specific and provide textual support.
Huck’s moral dilemma is whether or not to turn Jim in. One side of him is in favor of turning him in as a runaway. Huck tries to think about things Miss Watson had done wrong for him to keep her property from her. His conscience asked him, “ ‘What had poor Miss Watson done to you that you could see her ****** go off right under your eyes and never say a single word? What did that poor old woman do to you that you could treat her so mean?’ ”(87). The guilt was eating at him to the point where he told the reader he wanted to die. Contrastingly, a part of him had grown so close with Jim. He had been through so much together. They had been separated many times but always found their way back together. When Huck met Jim in the woods, he was ecstatic to see him, he “found a man laying there asleep and, by jings, it was my old Jim! I waked him up, and I reckoned it was going to be a grand surprise to him to see me again”(111). The power of Huck and Jim’s friendship seems to overturn Huck’s thoughts of being right or even legal when he meets the men on the shore and convinces them his father has smallpox. Yet, Huck concludes that from now on, he plans on making the decisions that are “handiest” instead of choosing between right and wrong.
1. Throughout the novel, Twain uses satire to comment on and critique society. The most relevant and important form of satire, in my opinion, is Twain’s portrayal of religion. So far, each religious person Huck encounters is somehow hypocritical. This was first introduced in the very first chapter, when Miss. Watson, trying to civilize him with manners and religion, taught Huck about Moses and the Bulrushers. After learning Moses was dead for a long time, he mentioned he then “didn't care no more about him, because [he] don't take no stock in dead people” (Twain). Huck believes day to day living is more important than the past, showing Twain’s criticism of religion and how he questioned the purpose of listening to “dead people,” since they are no longer relevant to our own lives. Huck as a character is more concerned with his own definition of right and wrong than following anyone else's definition. He is significantly the least religious, and yet the most morally correct character the reader is able to see. Twain later uses Miss. Watson again to demonstrate the hypocrisy in religion at the time, when in the name of her religion, she urges Huck to “help other people” (Twain), and yet she is a slave owner. He construed belief on owning other people does not cross her mind when she speaks of helping others. In fact, Huck ironically has helped more people (such as Jim) than Miss. Watson has. By using a young boy as the narrator, Twain made Huck untouched by society, and at an age where he is able to form his own opinions uninfluenced by religion or the adults around him.
ReplyDelete4. Agreeing with Nicole and Jude, I believe Huck's father is the most important secondary character. First, Huck's entire situation with his father is what causes him to run away, making him able to meet Jim and relate to him as well. Second, without parental guidance, Huck was left on his own to become the good person he is, and is not influenced by any adults. Huck lost all respect for his father, and understood that his father's actions and opinions were wrong. Therefore, Huck had an example as what not to do, and how he should not live his life.
Twain’s depiction of Jim changes greatly throughout the novel so far. Twain first presented Jim as a very naive and unintelligent slave. He was quick to trust Huck and did not think for one second that Huck would turn him in. Jim did not believe that Huck would lie to him. Jim said, “But you wouldn’t tell on me of I ‘uz to tell you, would you, Huck? ...Well, I b’lieve you Huck. I run off”(42). Jim chose to see the best in Huck because he needed someone he could trust. Jim was also extremely fearful at the beginning of the novel. He worried that someone would see him and take him back to his owner. He feared being sold and separated from his family. However, as he got closer to freedom while on the canoe with Huck, he became a little less frightened and a little more hopeful. While the two were still looking for Cairo, Jim talked about how “he would go to saving up money and never spend a single cent, and when he got enough he would buy his wife, which was owned on a farm close to where Miss Watson lived”(88). This evolution of Jim’s character shows how much freedom and family meant to slaves. Another important aspect of Jim’s progression in Twain’s book is how he is perceived by Huck. At the beginning of the novel, to Huck Jim is just a slave who is inferior to all whites. He doesn’t care much about him, but he also does not turn Jim in. However throughout the novel, the reader sees their bond grow much stronger. Jim’s love for Huck can be seen in all the moments they are reunited after they had been separated, “He nearly cried he was so glad, but he warn’t surprised. Said he swum along behind me that night…”(111). One of the most meaningful moments in their relationship is when Jim confesses, “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,”(89). Because of Jim’s words, Huck decides to protect Jim and not turn him in as a runaway. Even though Huck feels it is the wrong thing to do, he does it because Jim is not just an inferior slave to him anymore.
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