Opening Question
1) Huck has to decide between sending Jim back to Miss Watson or helping him escape to freedom. The “right” decision during the time period would be to send Jim back to a life of slavery where he would most likely be separated from his family, forever. However, as we know now slavery is an inhumane practice, and Huck was beginning to realize that. This realization can be seen during the passage as Huck remembers all of the good times him and Jim had and how great of a person, and friend, Jim was to Huck. The passage ends with Huck saying, “All right, then, I 'll GO to Hell,” (222). Huck realizes that even if everyone else in society thinks helping Jim escape is wrong and a sin, Huck knows that he has to help his friend no matter …show more content…
The most well-known and studied theme is that of slavery. Throughout the novel, Twain provides examples of Jim caring for Huck and later Tom when he is shot. This provides the readers with a sympathetic view of Jim that causes them to be appalled of the system that enslaved him and separated such a good man from his family. This theme resonates strongly with me because I view slavery as one of the most despicable things humans can do to each other. The novel also provides details of slavery during this time period and opinions on me, so it provides me with insight into how both sides of my ancestors may have thought and acted during this time. The theme of slavery also resonates with me strongly because Twain goes against society to paint a negative picture of it. Another primary theme in the novel is the conflict between civilization and nature. Twain uses this theme throughout the novel by showing how Huck was always attempting to escape civilization and anyone that would try to “sivilize” him. An example of this is seen in the opening of the novel with Huck trying to escape from Widow Douglas’s attempts to civilize him by getting him new clothes, making him quit smoking, and making him read the Bible. The novel actually suggests that civilization can corrupt people which can be seen in all of the numerous criminal acts that take place and also society’s belief that slavery is …show more content…
The novel provides an interesting look into the moral development of Huck who was raised to believe slavery was okay. Throughout the novel, Huck goes on adventures with the runaway slave, Jim, and develops his own morals separate from society. Huck also sees many terrible things humans are capable of: the deadly feuds, the greedy crimes of the duke and the dauphin, murders, etc. All of these things help Huck create a more realistic view of the world and decide that he wants to be separate. This will stick with me because it will always remind me that humans are capable of doing awful things, but I can choose to be different, even if it means I “go to Hell” based on society’s
1) Huck has to decide between sending Jim back to Miss Watson or helping him escape to freedom. The “right” decision during the time period would be to send Jim back to a life of slavery where he would most likely be separated from his family, forever. However, as we know now slavery is an inhumane practice, and Huck was beginning to realize that. This realization can be seen during the passage as Huck remembers all of the good times him and Jim had and how great of a person, and friend, Jim was to Huck. The passage ends with Huck saying, “All right, then, I 'll GO to Hell,” (222). Huck realizes that even if everyone else in society thinks helping Jim escape is wrong and a sin, Huck knows that he has to help his friend no matter …show more content…
The most well-known and studied theme is that of slavery. Throughout the novel, Twain provides examples of Jim caring for Huck and later Tom when he is shot. This provides the readers with a sympathetic view of Jim that causes them to be appalled of the system that enslaved him and separated such a good man from his family. This theme resonates strongly with me because I view slavery as one of the most despicable things humans can do to each other. The novel also provides details of slavery during this time period and opinions on me, so it provides me with insight into how both sides of my ancestors may have thought and acted during this time. The theme of slavery also resonates with me strongly because Twain goes against society to paint a negative picture of it. Another primary theme in the novel is the conflict between civilization and nature. Twain uses this theme throughout the novel by showing how Huck was always attempting to escape civilization and anyone that would try to “sivilize” him. An example of this is seen in the opening of the novel with Huck trying to escape from Widow Douglas’s attempts to civilize him by getting him new clothes, making him quit smoking, and making him read the Bible. The novel actually suggests that civilization can corrupt people which can be seen in all of the numerous criminal acts that take place and also society’s belief that slavery is …show more content…
The novel provides an interesting look into the moral development of Huck who was raised to believe slavery was okay. Throughout the novel, Huck goes on adventures with the runaway slave, Jim, and develops his own morals separate from society. Huck also sees many terrible things humans are capable of: the deadly feuds, the greedy crimes of the duke and the dauphin, murders, etc. All of these things help Huck create a more realistic view of the world and decide that he wants to be separate. This will stick with me because it will always remind me that humans are capable of doing awful things, but I can choose to be different, even if it means I “go to Hell” based on society’s