The major key event in the novel thus far is when the King back stabs Huck and sells “his property” (Jim) for forty dollars to buy alcoholic beverages. When Huck receives this news, his initial reaction was to breakdown in tears which demonstrates that despite their difference in race and beliefs Jim has a huge impact in Huck’s life and has become the closest friend and possibly the only closest positive parental figure. Also, Huck wrote a letter to Miss Watson informing her of her slave’s whereabouts and stated that he felt cleansed and almost a pure feeling for doing what is right. He also decided to pray but realized he “couldn’t pray a lie”. He couldn’t pray to God and promise that he will change his life style because he knew it was a larger lie. He realized that by praying he would not only deceive himself but also God and therefore decides to tear the letter into pieces. Huck thought of Jim and all they have been through and how Jim had said Huck is a true friend and he was eternally grateful. He said “I would go to work and steal Jim out of slavery again, and if I could think up anything worse, I would do that, too because as long as I was in, and in for good, I might as well go the whole hog.” To me all his doubt about turning Jim in was due to the society and time he grew up in and this meant that Huck finally decides to break away from his society’s beliefs to save Jim.
The character Tom Sawyer, the person Huck admires and worships appears, but as a reflection of an “old Huck”. Tom and Huck plan to rescue Jim but as we see in the novel they clash and varies ideas. Huck has more of a simple and safe plan and Tom has more of an adventurous plan to have fun. Perhaps if Huck did not have any connections with Jim and was the character from the beginning of the novel, he would’ve followed Tom without a doubt and even admire him for being a risk taker but Jim was important to Huck and Huck also matured over the course of time. I believe Tom's reappearance in the novel was purposely put in to demonstrate the protagonist’s past character and the present more experienced and mature Huck Finn.
1 comment:
Jessica, I agree with basically everything you said. However, there are two points in particular you made that I thought were really good: The point about Huck breaking away from his society’s belief and how Tom’s return to the story affects Huck. I also wrote in my blog about how by helping Jim Huck is going against society. This shows that Huck has gotten to the point where he will do anything in order to help his friend. I also really liked how you talked about Tom Sawyer. That was a really good point that I wish I had included in my blog. Tom Sawyer’s return shows how Huck is so much different and more mature than at the beginning. Huck used to follow whatever Tom did but Huck has developed into his own man who makes his own decisions. Tom’s return only furthers the point that Huck has matured.
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