Julia Nail Pages 1-100 Mark Twain claims that Huckleberry Finn prefers Jim, a black slave, over the people of Huck’s own race and social class.
“‘Jim, this is nice,’ I says. ‘I wouldn't want to be nowhere else but here.’” (56) “‘Well you wouldn't a ben here, ‘f it hadn’t a ben for Jim.’” (56)
As expressed through the dialogue, Huck is content spending time with Jim on an island of just the two of them. Diverging from the prevalent beliefs of the pre-Civil War, Huck appreciates Jim’s presence and is grateful that they are hiding together.
“We went winding in and out amongst the trees; and sometimes the vines hug so thick we had to back away and go some other way.” (56)
Huckleberry Finn loves adventure, and his escape with Jim is a conquest to unexplored territory and an uncertain future for the two of them.
I love this because the idea of adventure is something so central in literature. I think that through Huck's own adventure he is able to discover his true self which, in turn, helps him to uncover his true feelings toward Jim.
It's your lucky day Eliana because your hope turns into reality in the last few chapters of the novel! When Jim was captured and sent back to Widow Douglass, Huck first felt guilty for being friends with a slave and then realized Jim was more than a slave to him. Jim was actually his friend. I love the quote when he says, "All right, them, I’ll go to hell." When his friendship with Jim contradicts with what society believes was right, Huck, a character of a romanticism writer, chose to follow his heart instead of the rules.
Pages 100-125 Jim later proves his loyalty to Huck when they abandon their raft in the river and end up going separate directions. While Huck settles in with an upper class white family, Jim lays low in the woods, waiting for a chance to contact Huck. When Huck finds Jim a few days later, Jim "nearly cried, he was so glad" and he explains to Huck that "he swum along behind me [Huck], that night, and heard me [Huck] yell every time, but dasn't answer, because he didn't want nobody to pick him up, and take him into slavery again" (125). Jim's remaining close to Huck even while Huck is living the high life and he runs the risk of being caught, is a testament to his true friendship and loyalty to Huck that he claims earlier.
This is great, Angela, I completely agree! I thought it was interesting too how Jim waits on the raft for days at a time when Huck Finn goes ashore for some reason or another. This dedication and loyalty to Huck is surprising for anyone, especially for a former slave who is finally free. If I was a free slave, I couldn't say I would be as loyal after just having gained my freedom.
I think that this is a really central idea in the novel. Huck's friendship with Jim continually makes him question the racism he sees in his life. I think that Huck is constantly asking himself why Jim is treated in the manner that he is? After all, the relationship between the two characters has shown that there is a willingness in both of them to stand up for and to support one another. Huck even tries to help Jim escape slavery, which in the 19th century would have been very illegal.
I completely agree with the points you make in your analysis. At first, Finn takes Jim's loyalty for granted because of the dissimilarities in their socioeconomic standings. However, gradually, Finn begins to realize the value behind their relationship, leading him to risk his own safety in return.
“He don’t mean nothing; he’s always a-carryin’ on like that when he’s drunk. He’s the best natured-est old fool in Arkansaw - never hurt nobody, drunk nor sober.” (158)
Twain strengthens his argument against slavery through his depiction of the social juxtapositions in the pre-Civil War antebellum South. In this section of the text, an inebriated European-descended man is defended by the assertion that as he is often genial and affable, he must therefore always be so, despite his lack of sobriety. This lies in direct contrast with the ethnocentric ideologies that ran rampant during the century. An intoxicated African slave would have been viewed, in the same setting, as not only a heathen savage, but an indolent one, and whipped, amiable or not.
Kemi I can tell you've been using that vocab section in your comp book! Your eloquent diction never fails to impress me, and I love your contrast between the man of European descent and the African slave. Could this juxtaposition perhaps be a parallel between our favorite pals Huck and Jim? A slave looked down upon by society and a free man who is able to get away with a little too much...Sound familiar to anyone?
Babysitting causes me to have two feelings. The first being happiness and simplicity (this of course is when a child is well behaved), and complete and utter terror that the child you are watching is going to set the house on fire, or scream so loud that your ears just stop working one day. Although this can sometimes prove to be an issue, children are interesting to be around, in part, because of their aptitude for making you think about the world. When children ask questions there is no room for bias. This is important in Twain’s novel as it is central to the plot line and theme.Through Twain’s claim that a child is more ethical than Huck’s white society he is able to provide substantial evidence that this is true, and that the innocence of a child is, in some ways, wiser than grown men and women. Due to Huck’s logical thinking he has the capacity to see things clearly, without influence from those that watch over him. Huck goes as far as trying to help Jim escape a plantation with the help of his friend, Tom, as they attempt to “dig Jim out” (255). The authors decision to use kids puts emphasis on the belief that children are innocent in nature and when it comes to other people, they have pure perception of character. In this case, Huck’s impression of Jim is seen as a reflection of Jim’s good nature.
This is really interesting, Eliana! Although I disagree that Huck is completly naive, as Mintz puts it "Huck is no innocent: He lies, steals, smokes, swears, and skips school. He accepts no authority, not from his father or the Widow Douglas or anyone else". Thus, Huck is not ignorant to the ways of the world, and therefore we cannot truly claim he has no idea that racism is wrong.
To Block F Huck Finn Group:I have read everything on your blog up to here, thus far, and I am super duper impressed with your interest and analysis of Twain's plot. Thank you for being such amazing English students...
Julia Nail
ReplyDeletePages 1-100
Mark Twain claims that Huckleberry Finn prefers Jim, a black slave, over the people of Huck’s own race and social class.
“‘Jim, this is nice,’ I says. ‘I wouldn't want to be nowhere else but here.’” (56)
“‘Well you wouldn't a ben here, ‘f it hadn’t a ben for Jim.’” (56)
As expressed through the dialogue, Huck is content spending time with Jim on an island of just the two of them. Diverging from the prevalent beliefs of the pre-Civil War, Huck appreciates Jim’s presence and is grateful that they are hiding together.
“We went winding in and out amongst the trees; and sometimes the vines hug so thick we had to back away and go some other way.” (56)
Huckleberry Finn loves adventure, and his escape with Jim is a conquest to unexplored territory and an uncertain future for the two of them.
I love this because the idea of adventure is something so central in literature. I think that through Huck's own adventure he is able to discover his true self which, in turn, helps him to uncover his true feelings toward Jim.
DeleteIt's your lucky day Eliana because your hope turns into reality in the last few chapters of the novel! When Jim was captured and sent back to Widow Douglass, Huck first felt guilty for being friends with a slave and then realized Jim was more than a slave to him. Jim was actually his friend. I love the quote when he says, "All right, them, I’ll go to hell." When his friendship with Jim contradicts with what society believes was right, Huck, a character of a romanticism writer, chose to follow his heart instead of the rules.
DeletePages 100-125
ReplyDeleteJim later proves his loyalty to Huck when they abandon their raft in the river and end up going separate directions. While Huck settles in with an upper class white family, Jim lays low in the woods, waiting for a chance to contact Huck. When Huck finds Jim a few days later, Jim "nearly cried, he was so glad" and he explains to Huck that "he swum along behind me [Huck], that night, and heard me [Huck] yell every time, but dasn't answer, because he didn't want nobody to pick him up, and take him into slavery again" (125). Jim's remaining close to Huck even while Huck is living the high life and he runs the risk of being caught, is a testament to his true friendship and loyalty to Huck that he claims earlier.
This is great, Angela, I completely agree! I thought it was interesting too how Jim waits on the raft for days at a time when Huck Finn goes ashore for some reason or another. This dedication and loyalty to Huck is surprising for anyone, especially for a former slave who is finally free. If I was a free slave, I couldn't say I would be as loyal after just having gained my freedom.
DeleteI think that this is a really central idea in the novel. Huck's friendship with Jim continually makes him question the racism he sees in his life. I think that Huck is constantly asking himself why Jim is treated in the manner that he is? After all, the relationship between the two characters has shown that there is a willingness in both of them to stand up for and to support one another. Huck even tries to help Jim escape slavery, which in the 19th century would have been very illegal.
DeleteI completely agree with the points you make in your analysis. At first, Finn takes Jim's loyalty for granted because of the dissimilarities in their socioeconomic standings. However, gradually, Finn begins to realize the value behind their relationship, leading him to risk his own safety in return.
Delete“He don’t mean nothing; he’s always a-carryin’ on like that when he’s drunk. He’s the best natured-est old fool in Arkansaw - never hurt nobody, drunk nor sober.” (158)
ReplyDeleteTwain strengthens his argument against slavery through his depiction of the social juxtapositions in the pre-Civil War antebellum South. In this section of the text, an inebriated European-descended man is defended by the assertion that as he is often genial and affable, he must therefore always be so, despite his lack of sobriety. This lies in direct contrast with the ethnocentric ideologies that ran rampant during the century. An intoxicated African slave would have been viewed, in the same setting, as not only a heathen savage, but an indolent one, and whipped, amiable or not.
Kemi I can tell you've been using that vocab section in your comp book! Your eloquent diction never fails to impress me, and I love your contrast between the man of European descent and the African slave. Could this juxtaposition perhaps be a parallel between our favorite pals Huck and Jim? A slave looked down upon by society and a free man who is able to get away with a little too much...Sound familiar to anyone?
Delete
ReplyDelete200 - 235
Babysitting causes me to have two feelings. The first being happiness and simplicity (this of course is when a child is well behaved), and complete and utter terror that the child you are watching is going to set the house on fire, or scream so loud that your ears just stop working one day. Although this can sometimes prove to be an issue, children are interesting to be around, in part, because of their aptitude for making you think about the world. When children ask questions there is no room for bias. This is important in Twain’s novel as it is central to the plot line and theme.Through Twain’s claim that a child is more ethical than Huck’s white society he is able to provide substantial evidence that this is true, and that the innocence of a child is, in some ways, wiser than grown men and women. Due to Huck’s logical thinking he has the capacity to see things clearly, without influence from those that watch over him. Huck goes as far as trying to help Jim escape a plantation with the help of his friend, Tom, as they attempt to “dig Jim out” (255). The authors decision to use kids puts emphasis on the belief that children are innocent in nature and when it comes to other people, they have pure perception of character. In this case, Huck’s impression of Jim is seen as a reflection of Jim’s good nature.
This is really interesting, Eliana! Although I disagree that Huck is completly naive, as Mintz puts it "Huck is no innocent: He lies, steals, smokes, swears, and skips school. He accepts no authority, not from his father or the Widow Douglas or anyone else". Thus, Huck is not ignorant to the ways of the world, and therefore we cannot truly claim he has no idea that racism is wrong.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTo Block F Huck Finn Group:I have read everything on your blog up to here, thus far, and I am super duper impressed with your interest and analysis of Twain's plot. Thank you for being such amazing English students...
ReplyDelete