Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Blog Post 2: Huck Finn Response (Ch. 13 - Ch. 17)

Window Douglas influences Huck directly because when she is around Huck, she makes Huck a very proper young person. The Widow’s indirect influence on Huck makes Huck decide to do right and smart decisions. An example of the Widow’s direct influence on Huck is on Pg 11 Huck says “I had been to school most all the time, and could spell, and read, and write just a little.” Even though Huck at first doesn’t want to go to school Widow Douglas influences Huck to go to school.

The direct influence that Tom Sawyer has on Huck is that when Tom is around Huck, Huck becomes very adventurous. Tom Sawyer’s indirect influence on Huck is that when Huck is put into a sticky situation, he has the ability to think quickly of a solution. An example of Tom Sawyer’s indirect influence on Huck is on Pg 72 when Huck is put into a sticky situation and says “Be done, boys! Who’s there?” I says: “It’s me.” “Who’s me?” “George Jackson, sir.” This quote shows Huck’s quick thinking ability that he acquired from Tom Sawyer.

The direct influence that Pap has on Huck is that when Pap and Huck are around each other Huck despises everything his father is and has become making Huck not want to become anything like Pap. The indirect influence Pap leaves Huck with is Huck’s street smarts and ability to survive on his own. An example of Pap’s direct influence on Huck is on Pg 15 when Pap says “You lemme catch you fooling around that school again you hear?” This example fires up Huck and makes him want to become better than his father.

The direct influence that Jim has instituted onto Huck is that Jim has made Huck able to make tough decisions and make Huck superstitious. The indirect influence Jim leaves Huck is the doubts that Huck has about his decisions. An example of Jim’s indirect influence on Huck is exercised on Pg 66 “I tried to make out to myself that I warn’t to blame because I didn’t run Jim off to his rightful owner; but it warn’t no use, conscious up and says every time.” The quote shows Huck’s indecision with his choice he made regarding Jim’s escape.

Without these key influences in his life, Huck would be a very different person.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Post 1: Huck Finn Response (Ch. 1 - Ch. 12)

Huck Finn begins with Huckleberry living with the Widow Douglas and her sister. One night Huck sees his pap's footprints in the snow which convinces him to give his money to the judge. His father shows up and kidnaps Huck. Huck is able to fake his death and then escapes. Huck ends up on Jackson Island where he meets the runaway slave Jim.

Huck Finn contrasts from Of Mice & Men in one major way. Unlike Of Mice & Men, Mark Twain's novel goes into more details of events and conversations. Of Mice & Men is an easy read in comparison to Huck Finn which makes that story more enjoyable. One good concept to Huck Finn is that some of the satire in the novel is comical. One case of this really sticks in my head, this is when Huck is remarking on how 7*6=35 when that really equals 42. Even though there are a few funny parts, most of the parts arent.All in all, I find this story dry and boring.