1.
"All right, then, I'll go to Hell" (Ch. 31 Pg. 284 ).
Huckleberry learns the meaning of friendship and family throughout his many adventures. His understanding of friendship is apparent when he decides to do something for Jim's best interest, instead of his own. With friendship comes hard times that have to be worked out, as well as remembering the idea of putting others before yourself. Although he is choosing to go to Hell in order to help Jim, this view of friendship most likely comes from the widow, about religion and god. Huck's choice meant a lot to me as I read it, because doing something good when you have been taught that it is bad is really hard on a person. This creates a feeling where Huck is guilty for helping a friend.
2.
"It was the most astonishing speech I ever heard" (Ch. 33 Pg. 299).
Huckleberry Finn never expected to know anybody who would help him steal Jim back from Uncle Silas. Tom had been a person willing to help Huck all along, with his 'troublemaking'. Since the beginning of the novel, Tom was written to be perceived as a troublemaker, however Huck had only seen it as playing around, because that is what boys tend to do. Because Tom can be seen as the authors portrayal of himself, this character can be expected to be one that tries to trick others, for fun. One might compare the character of Tom to when a director plays a character in their own movies.
3.
"What do we want of a moat when we're going to snake him out from under the cabin?"
Once again, the author wants to remind us that Huck and Tom are both making great strides toward equality at such a young age. Young people symbolize innocence, therefor Ne, they are more likely to see the good in others, and have less of a set opinion about a person. The two boys have outstanding ideas about their adventures and how they will get Jim out of trouble, because of their youthfulness. Tom, especially, creates crazy plans with unnecessary pieces to mimic the great adventures of his childhood heroes.
4.
"...and so Jim got everything all right, and as soon as he was by himself he busted into the pie" (Ch. 37 Pg. 341).
In Huck Finn, there are many times when supernatural themes are brought up. In this case, the two boys are making a 'witch pie' to ward off the witches from Jim. Each of the different characters have different beliefs on what is 'out there'. In Jim's case he believes that there are witches, ghosts, fortune tellers, and good/bad luck, whereas Huckleberry and The Widow believe that there is a heaven and a hell. Although the two both believe in a heaven and hell, The Widow follows many rules to try to get into heaven, but Huckleberry Finn does whatever he believes is right. The different views on life influence each of Huckleberry's actions, and he will do or believe in whatever is possible to help Jim escape into the free land.
In the 1800s there were also many women who were accused of witchcraft. Many of these women were put to death. People during this time would go on witch hunts, and killed any women who slightly resembled a witch. This included someone who wasn't very attractive, older, and usually someone who didn't own a lot of money.
5.
"...And when he mentioned the St. Louis ones it give me the cold shivers, and I see we hadn't no time to lose "( Ch. 39 Pg.354 ).
Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer are in the middle of their big adventure, for their own heroic novel, to set the slave free. Tom, however, is more focused on the 'story' than actually saving Jim from being enslaved again. Huckleberry is set on getting Jim out of Silas' hands and setting him free, as he has had time to realize that Jim is a real person, that he has grown close to, instead of seeing him as a slave and less than. Here, we can compare the two boys to each other. Throughout Huckleberry's many adventures, he recognizes that it's more important to help a friend than to have a bit of excitement. Tom Sawyer, however, has been stuck in his home town with his family, and his only source of adventure are from the books he reads and the secret societies he creates with his other boyish friends. Reading the advertisements for Jim and knowing that they are being sent so close to where they are from scares him, because he knows Jim is getting closer and closer to being caught.
6.
"...Only just hunting for the runaway nigger--me and Sid" (Ch. 41 Pg. 367).
Huckleberry is having to think up excuses all by himself, which he hasn't had to do for a long time. He always seemed to have someone by his side helping him out, such as The Duke and The King, Jim, or Tom Sawyer. After Huck took Tom to the doctor to get the bullet out of his calf, Tom disappeared, and Uncle Silas bumped into him, so he had to think fast. Not only did he have to remember that he was acting like Tom, and Tom was pretending to be Sid, he also had to come up with another excuse for running away the night before, when everyone was hunting for Jim. Fortunately, he quickly came up with an answer as for why Jim was gone, and why he had left.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Huck Finn exercise #2 July 22nd
#1 "He'd be mighty sure to see it, because he'd be a free man the minute he seen it, but if he missed it, he'd be in the slave country again and no more show for freedom" (Ch.16 Pg.117 ).
This quote demonstrates the tones of much of the novel helping the reader to understand the feelings of both Huckleberry and Jim on their journeys to freedom and maturity. Jim's urge to be free and his hope for finding the free lands are apparent in this passage. Although Huck's feelings in this chapter are mixed, he realizes that helping Jim is the overall right thing to do. His uncertainty is caused by the thought that anybody with black skin was considered less than.Huck is, like before, questioning the rules that most people were taught to just accept, to decide for himself what is acceptable.This may be because at the time the novel was written, slavery had only just been abolished. Jim and Huck had to travel north, where there were free states, before slavery had been completely abolished, in 1865.
#2 "A man has a quarrel with another man, and kills him... by and by everybody's killed off, and there ain't no more feud" (Ch. 18 Pg. 144).
Here we see that Huckleberry is in a completely different area than before, where they say words he's never heard of, in this case 'feud'. The author purposely used dialect to demonstrate that people were from different areas, and in this case, he used different words to illustrate the same thing. This may also be a reflection on how young Huck is, to remind the reader that he is having to grow up and learn more than he ever had to before, since he took on the challenge of running away and living by himself, and the people he picks up on his way. One can also compare this time in history to now. Families still have fights that may go on for generations, however most people in modern times won't murder each other over a quarrel that happened years before.
#3 "He told them he was a pirate--been a pirate for thirty years out in the Indian Ocean" (Ch. 20 Pg. 176).
We see the peacekeeper in Huckleberry being revealed, as the two men try to trick Huck and Jim. Because Huckleberry realizes that they are only frauds, yet doesn't do anything about it, he is taking advantage of their intelligence and talent for trickery and gaining from them, instead of acting like anyone else his own age might. and rat them out. As the story goes on, the tone between the two men becomes competitive, each trying to help out the group more. In this way. they are able to entertain themselves, while getting more resources for their travels.
#4 "Your newspapers call you a brave people so much that you think you are braver than any other people--whereas you're just as braver, and no braver" ( Ch.22 Pg.194).
Sherburn's speech was another example of nonconformity in a society. Sherburn explains to the people living in the town that when they are told something, they just believe it, instead of questioning it, or experienceing it on their own. Because of this, they would be considered less brave, according to Sherburn, as they are to cowardly to experience things themselves. Sherburn and Huckleberry share similar thoughts when it comes to questioning certain ideas, although Huckleberry's beliefs are more subtle at the time, most likely because he is youthful. They both realize that you must question the lessons tyou are taught, as they might be very flawed.
#5 "Music is a good thing; and after all that soul-butter and hogwash I never see it freshen up things so, and sound so honest and bully " (Ch.25 Pg.219). \
Religion is a motif that has shown up multiple times throughout the novel. Huckleberry questions the ideas that religion has to offer, as he sees good, religious people doing bad things. An example would be how the widow enslaves Jim. Here, Huck is noticing that although some religious people don't allow music, because they believe it takes away from one worshiping god, it can help heal people who are in pain. Music, however, can be some religions form of praise.He refers to the religious aspects of the funeral as hogwash, but when the people begin singing and worshiping together, making music and being happy, he sees the honesty in it, instead of the corruption.
#6 "But I recollected it wouldn't be much like the king to let anybody else take care of that money but his own self; so then I went to his room and begun to paw around there" (Ch. 26 Pg. 234).
Although Huck Finn has been helping the duke and the king dupe people out of their money, he won't stand for them hurting others to do it. Because of his youthfulness, he is innocent and naturally wants to do good. He is also mature enough to realize what is good, versus what is bad, for himself. He has payed enough attention to the con-men and their actions in order to be able to look at their behavior, analyzing them to find the most mature way to get the money back to the family, who has suffered a major loss.
#7 "A body might stump his toe, and take pison, and fall down the well, and beak his neck, and bust his brains out, and somebody come along and ask what killed him, and some numbskull up and say,' Why he stumped his toe'" (Ch. 28 Pg. 256).
Many of the characters in this novel, both good and bad, tell lies to get what they want. In this case, Huckleberry is telling lies to help other people, when he knows the truth. This quote demonstrates that some of his lies don't quite add up, both because he is making a hasty excuse for what he previously announced, and also because he doesn't yet have enough knowledge of the world, due to his youthfulness. Usually lying is looked down upon, however Huckleberry sees lying as good, when it's for a good cause, although very troublesome.
This quote demonstrates the tones of much of the novel helping the reader to understand the feelings of both Huckleberry and Jim on their journeys to freedom and maturity. Jim's urge to be free and his hope for finding the free lands are apparent in this passage. Although Huck's feelings in this chapter are mixed, he realizes that helping Jim is the overall right thing to do. His uncertainty is caused by the thought that anybody with black skin was considered less than.Huck is, like before, questioning the rules that most people were taught to just accept, to decide for himself what is acceptable.This may be because at the time the novel was written, slavery had only just been abolished. Jim and Huck had to travel north, where there were free states, before slavery had been completely abolished, in 1865.
#2 "A man has a quarrel with another man, and kills him... by and by everybody's killed off, and there ain't no more feud" (Ch. 18 Pg. 144).
Here we see that Huckleberry is in a completely different area than before, where they say words he's never heard of, in this case 'feud'. The author purposely used dialect to demonstrate that people were from different areas, and in this case, he used different words to illustrate the same thing. This may also be a reflection on how young Huck is, to remind the reader that he is having to grow up and learn more than he ever had to before, since he took on the challenge of running away and living by himself, and the people he picks up on his way. One can also compare this time in history to now. Families still have fights that may go on for generations, however most people in modern times won't murder each other over a quarrel that happened years before.
#3 "He told them he was a pirate--been a pirate for thirty years out in the Indian Ocean" (Ch. 20 Pg. 176).
We see the peacekeeper in Huckleberry being revealed, as the two men try to trick Huck and Jim. Because Huckleberry realizes that they are only frauds, yet doesn't do anything about it, he is taking advantage of their intelligence and talent for trickery and gaining from them, instead of acting like anyone else his own age might. and rat them out. As the story goes on, the tone between the two men becomes competitive, each trying to help out the group more. In this way. they are able to entertain themselves, while getting more resources for their travels.
#4 "Your newspapers call you a brave people so much that you think you are braver than any other people--whereas you're just as braver, and no braver" ( Ch.22 Pg.194).
Sherburn's speech was another example of nonconformity in a society. Sherburn explains to the people living in the town that when they are told something, they just believe it, instead of questioning it, or experienceing it on their own. Because of this, they would be considered less brave, according to Sherburn, as they are to cowardly to experience things themselves. Sherburn and Huckleberry share similar thoughts when it comes to questioning certain ideas, although Huckleberry's beliefs are more subtle at the time, most likely because he is youthful. They both realize that you must question the lessons tyou are taught, as they might be very flawed.
#5 "Music is a good thing; and after all that soul-butter and hogwash I never see it freshen up things so, and sound so honest and bully " (Ch.25 Pg.219). \
Religion is a motif that has shown up multiple times throughout the novel. Huckleberry questions the ideas that religion has to offer, as he sees good, religious people doing bad things. An example would be how the widow enslaves Jim. Here, Huck is noticing that although some religious people don't allow music, because they believe it takes away from one worshiping god, it can help heal people who are in pain. Music, however, can be some religions form of praise.He refers to the religious aspects of the funeral as hogwash, but when the people begin singing and worshiping together, making music and being happy, he sees the honesty in it, instead of the corruption.
#6 "But I recollected it wouldn't be much like the king to let anybody else take care of that money but his own self; so then I went to his room and begun to paw around there" (Ch. 26 Pg. 234).
Although Huck Finn has been helping the duke and the king dupe people out of their money, he won't stand for them hurting others to do it. Because of his youthfulness, he is innocent and naturally wants to do good. He is also mature enough to realize what is good, versus what is bad, for himself. He has payed enough attention to the con-men and their actions in order to be able to look at their behavior, analyzing them to find the most mature way to get the money back to the family, who has suffered a major loss.
#7 "A body might stump his toe, and take pison, and fall down the well, and beak his neck, and bust his brains out, and somebody come along and ask what killed him, and some numbskull up and say,' Why he stumped his toe'" (Ch. 28 Pg. 256).
Many of the characters in this novel, both good and bad, tell lies to get what they want. In this case, Huckleberry is telling lies to help other people, when he knows the truth. This quote demonstrates that some of his lies don't quite add up, both because he is making a hasty excuse for what he previously announced, and also because he doesn't yet have enough knowledge of the world, due to his youthfulness. Usually lying is looked down upon, however Huckleberry sees lying as good, when it's for a good cause, although very troublesome.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
They say/ I say exercise #2 July 22nd
In discussions of obesity, one controversial issue has been where the problem really lies. Some argue that being overweight is a genuine medical problem; other people claim it is only part of a cultural stereotype. In Zinczenko's "Don't Blame The Eater", he informs the audience that recent studies have concluded "at least 30 percent" of the diabetes cases in children are type 2 diabetes, which is caused by unhealthy eating. Before this, there had been quite a bit fewer cases of type 2 diabetes. Although this remains true, taking a look at other countries cultures could give you a much different view on the debate. In countries such as Kuwait and Mauritania, being obese is considered to be beautiful. Some believe that you should love your body and do what feels right, overweight or not. Whichever side of the argument you may choose, however, it seems that health is always the main issue.
They say/ I say exercise #1 for July 22nd
Although Zinczenko's article, "Don't Blame The Eater" claims that one must blame fast food companies for obesity, one has many choices to stay away from fast food, that are both inexpensive as well as convenient. Where Zinczenko insists that fast food companies make themselves more convenient for the teenager, by expanding their range of areas to place their restaurants, an adolescent, or their parents, could also choose to make a healthy lunch, or snack, to replace high-in-calorie foods. Making one's own sack lunch is not only convenient, and much healthier, it is also inexpensive, as most fast food restaurants may be. Finding a local restaurant in your area that serves cheap, healthy food provides yet another alternative. Sometimes all you need is an affordable, tasty salad or a reasonably priced appetizer, like chicken wings, with celery on the side. As you can see, although there are many faults in the fast food industry, one should not place the blame of their unhealthy eating habits on others.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
They Say, I Say exercise #2
In the introduction to "They Say/ I say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein provide templates designed to create an essay using conversation. Specifically, Graff and Birkenstein argue that the types of writing templates they offer will help familiarize students with using their conversational skills in their writings. As the authors themselves put it, the "goal is to demystify academic writing...in the form of templates" (Graff, Birkenstein xvi). Although some people believe that borrowing ideas from other writers is considered cheating or plagiarism, Graff and Birkenstein insist that language is constantly being reused. In sum, then, their view is that one can use similar writing organizations, but still create an original piece.
I have a few mixed feelings about this, however understand what message they are attempting to convey. In my view, the types of templates that the authors recommend are very helpful by showing multiple types of sentence structures. For instance, they have demonstrated different ways of responding, to help carry on the 'conversation'. In addition, their templates helps the writer to express their ideas without completely writing the essay for them. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that these templates hinder your creativity. Yet I would argue that these don't affect what you put into your essay, only how you format it, making it more academic. Overall, then, I believe the templates are a helpful guide to start writing.
I have a few mixed feelings about this, however understand what message they are attempting to convey. In my view, the types of templates that the authors recommend are very helpful by showing multiple types of sentence structures. For instance, they have demonstrated different ways of responding, to help carry on the 'conversation'. In addition, their templates helps the writer to express their ideas without completely writing the essay for them. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that these templates hinder your creativity. Yet I would argue that these don't affect what you put into your essay, only how you format it, making it more academic. Overall, then, I believe the templates are a helpful guide to start writing.
They Say, I Say exercise #1
The term "Anti-Mainstream" tends to be synonymous with "hipster" in many peoples minds. They see this lifestyle as a cult that brainwashes its followers into eliminating any part of culture that may be considered popular as a means of being considered cool. However, few people who choose not to follow the mainstream do this to appear better than others. On the contrary, many of these supposedly brainwashed people are actually just wanting to be who they are, and become independent and seperated from the main 'rules' of society. The truth is, there are many good reasons to follow this independent way of life. Perhaps the best reasons are that you are encouraging people to be themselves, enjoying unique cultures, and becoming a free-living individual. In this essay, then, closesly examining an anti-mainstream person as compared to one who is attached to society's restrictions will show that non-ordinary habits are clearly the better option for becoming independent.
Chapters 1-15 Huck Finn
1. "That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly. There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth" (Ch. 1 Pg. 1).
Comments and Questions
The reason the author starts his book with this quote, is that he wants to make sure that the reader understands that he can and will attempt to trick you throughout the novel. Huckelberry Finn begins narrating his story, by introducing the author of the book, Mark Twain. Mark Twain, similar to Huckelberry Finn, was a trickster as well as a made up character. You may be asking yourself how the author of the book could possibly be a made up character. The name 'Mark Twain' is simply a pseudonym used by Samuel Clemens, however it is not just the name that has been made up. For example, there is a famous quote by Mark Twain:
"When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."
Mark Twain was a completely different personality created by Samuel Clemens. Samuel Clemens father had already been dead for 3 years before turning 14, so this quote could never have been true. Throughout Huckelberry Finn, this humorous personality of his will shine through into Huck's character.
2. "I could say the multiplication table up to six times seven is thirty-five... I don't take no stock in mathematics anyway" (Chapter 4 Pg. 20).
Comments and Questions
Comments and Questions
The reason the author starts his book with this quote, is that he wants to make sure that the reader understands that he can and will attempt to trick you throughout the novel. Huckelberry Finn begins narrating his story, by introducing the author of the book, Mark Twain. Mark Twain, similar to Huckelberry Finn, was a trickster as well as a made up character. You may be asking yourself how the author of the book could possibly be a made up character. The name 'Mark Twain' is simply a pseudonym used by Samuel Clemens, however it is not just the name that has been made up. For example, there is a famous quote by Mark Twain:
"When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."
Mark Twain was a completely different personality created by Samuel Clemens. Samuel Clemens father had already been dead for 3 years before turning 14, so this quote could never have been true. Throughout Huckelberry Finn, this humorous personality of his will shine through into Huck's character.
2. "I could say the multiplication table up to six times seven is thirty-five... I don't take no stock in mathematics anyway" (Chapter 4 Pg. 20).
Comments and Questions
Huckelberry Finn repeats phrases similar to this throughout the book. Closer to the beginning of the book he says the same about dead people, when referring to Moses. These quotes reflect Huckelberrys young, rebellious spirit. He doesn't trust the adults that try to teach him, and doesn't care for learning anyway. The author uses humour to get his point across that Huckelberry is just like any other boy, when it comes to school, by having Huckelberry mess up his multiplication in this quote.
3. "But by-and-by pap got too handy with his hick'ry, and I couldn't stand it. I was all over welts" (Ch.6 Pg. 32).
Comments and Questions
Huckelberry Finn was written in the late 1800's, when it was more normal for parents to beat their children as punishment and not get in as much trouble. Hickory is the type of wood that Huck's father used to punish him, and it seemed to Huckelberry that with his fathers drunkenness, came more beatings.
4. "Well you see, it 'uz dis way. Ole missus-- dat's Miss Watson-- she pecks on me all de time, en treats me pooty rough, but she awluz said she wouldn' sell me down to Orleans" (Ch. 8 Pg. 58).
Comments and Questions
In this passage, Jim is telling Huckelberry Finn why he is running away with him. During this time, people who were black were considered an inferior race, and were sold as slaves. Because of this, Jim did not have a very good education and spoke with a strong dialect. The author, Mark Twain, wrote this novel spelling the words phoenetically, so the reader would know to read it in their dialect, and to help further the understanding of the characters.
5. "Now you think it's bad luck; but what did you say when I fetched the snake-skin that I found on the top of the ridge day before yesterday? I wish we could have some bad luck like this everyday, Jim" (Ch. 10 Pg. 70).
Comments and Questions
Good luck and bad luck is a topic that seems to come up a lot in Huckelberry Finn's story. He, as well as many of the other people he speaks with, seems to be very superstitious and some of his actions may be controlled by what he thinks may be good or bad luck. Although he is very superstitious, he also has his doubts, and questions what may be considered good and bad luck by paying attention to his own experiences with 'bad luck'. Huckleberry Finn is growing up, knowing that sometimes you can't just trust what somebody says and that you must experience it yourself before knowing that what they say is truthful, but also knowing to be careful about 'bad luck' in case they are right.
6. "Now trot along to your uncle, Sarah Mary Williams George Elexander Peters, and if you get into trouble, you send word to Mrs. Judith Loftus, which is me, and I'll do what I can to get you out of it" (Chapter 11 Pg. 83).
Comments and Questions
While running away with Jim, Huck Finn decided to look around a town to find out information about what people were saying about his running away. He disguised himself as a girl to do this, but the lady he spoke to could tell by watching him that he was really a boy. As he left, the lady told him that she would help him try to get out of any trouble and gave him tips on how to run away and be better disguised as a girl. This may come in later, if he needs to be disguised again.
4. "Well you see, it 'uz dis way. Ole missus-- dat's Miss Watson-- she pecks on me all de time, en treats me pooty rough, but she awluz said she wouldn' sell me down to Orleans" (Ch. 8 Pg. 58).
Comments and Questions
In this passage, Jim is telling Huckelberry Finn why he is running away with him. During this time, people who were black were considered an inferior race, and were sold as slaves. Because of this, Jim did not have a very good education and spoke with a strong dialect. The author, Mark Twain, wrote this novel spelling the words phoenetically, so the reader would know to read it in their dialect, and to help further the understanding of the characters.
5. "Now you think it's bad luck; but what did you say when I fetched the snake-skin that I found on the top of the ridge day before yesterday? I wish we could have some bad luck like this everyday, Jim" (Ch. 10 Pg. 70).
Comments and Questions
Good luck and bad luck is a topic that seems to come up a lot in Huckelberry Finn's story. He, as well as many of the other people he speaks with, seems to be very superstitious and some of his actions may be controlled by what he thinks may be good or bad luck. Although he is very superstitious, he also has his doubts, and questions what may be considered good and bad luck by paying attention to his own experiences with 'bad luck'. Huckleberry Finn is growing up, knowing that sometimes you can't just trust what somebody says and that you must experience it yourself before knowing that what they say is truthful, but also knowing to be careful about 'bad luck' in case they are right.
6. "Now trot along to your uncle, Sarah Mary Williams George Elexander Peters, and if you get into trouble, you send word to Mrs. Judith Loftus, which is me, and I'll do what I can to get you out of it" (Chapter 11 Pg. 83).
Comments and Questions
While running away with Jim, Huck Finn decided to look around a town to find out information about what people were saying about his running away. He disguised himself as a girl to do this, but the lady he spoke to could tell by watching him that he was really a boy. As he left, the lady told him that she would help him try to get out of any trouble and gave him tips on how to run away and be better disguised as a girl. This may come in later, if he needs to be disguised again.
7. "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 afterwards, neither" (Ch. 15 Pg. 115).
Comments and Questions
Comments and Questions
Again, during this period in time, black people were considered to be lower in quality, so it was very strange for someone to act the way Huckelberry did. The reader knows that Huck is not judgemental and he understands that a person is a person, no matter what color their skin is. We also see that Huck is becoming more mature because he no longer wants to play any tricks on Jim and sees that their friendship is more important in this jouney they are taking together.
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