I have to say I am not a fan with the way Twain decided to end this book, to me the book just sort of ends. And too much was crammed into just a few chapters, i feel. One major question from this whole book that I have is why is Huck sometimes was smart and worded to be independent in a way but then other times he is just constantly taken care of by Jim or even Tom too?
A major take away I have from these last few chapters is how no matter what Jim was always there. This kind of stuck out to me throughout the whole book. Although he wasn't free, he would still help others rather than trying to gain his own freedom, even though he is free at this point. At least that's what i gathered. He didn't care about any situation they were in, he just knew he had to help, and getting the doctor was the right thing. At the end of this book, on page 277, Huck says, "I mean every word I say, Aunt Sally, and if somebody don't go, I'll go. I've knowned him all his life, and so has Tom, there. Old Miss Watson died two months ago, and she was ashamed she was ever going to sell him down the river, and said so; and she set him free in her will." made realize that this whole book was really nothing but one big adventure. Huck and Jim were running away from things they were already free from. For example, Pap was dead and gone so Huck had no more worries, and then Miss Watson was dead too and Jim was set free by her. Overall I didn't really like the book, but some things were really interesting to me and I didn't really mind reading it. The book just wasn't my favorite.
0 Comments
One major question I have from reading these chapters is, why didn't they put the rats and snakes somewhere other than a box? Somewhere other than a place they could be found and easily disturbed. In my mind, this whole situation could have been avoided.
On page 249, there are a list of things Huck wanted to put on his coat of arms. This is a major take away from these chapters that stuck out to me because it reminded me of history. Speaking of history, Tom and Huck all have a great deal of history with each-other throughout this book. I liked these chapters surprisingly. I think what i liked most was how Jim is free and how much Tom and Huck have done to help in this situation. The book is almost done with and I'm curious to see what happens in the last few chapters. After reading chapters 31-33, I was left with concerns that have now been answered in chapters 34-37. At first I questioned where Jim was, but after reading page 223 of the book, Tom and Huck were trying to find out where Jim was hiding. They remembered a man taking food to a shed though. It made a lot more sense to me when they thought the guy was bringing a dog food, but it had watermelon on the plate. Most dogs don't eat watermelon.
One main quote that stuck out to me, was "It shows how a body can see and don't see at the same time." This made a lot of sense to me as I read it because it really does go to show how we can see something and not process it until later. It could completely pass right through our minds. Tom and Huck didn't think about the watermelon at all until it processed through their brains. As the book goes on, I don't really understand their big dramatic escape. And anything Huck says, It seems to me that Tom and Jim's ideas always over power them. When they were trying to steal Jim wouldn't it make more sense if they all worked together and agree on things? They were using knifes to try and dig, why would they use knifes. The book is coming to an end and I still don't understand the way Twain is trying to present everyone in the book, they all seem close but then they seem like they're enemies at the same time. This book is very confusing to me, and I can't say I'm a big fan. After reading these chapters, I was confused at first. I thought they were still off the water until I figured they were back on the river. But the question of the day is, why did Huck pray? What made him decide to? Miss Watson tried so hard to get him to change and now he's indent did? Maybe he wants to be sivil now and not bad anymore. He seems to doubt himself throughout this book. Maybe he felt it would go against him if he prayed before now? He is really changing as the book continues.
Throughout reading these chapters I picked up on how much Huck relies on having Jim. He pretty much needs him. This stuck out to me on page 203 when Huck decided to cry because Jim was gone. He said he, "couldn't help it." I don't think Huck would know what to do without Jim. It's almost like losing your partner in crime, for real. These chapters gave me more insight on their relationship also. I feel these chapters were fairly easy to understand, opposed to others. After reading chapters 14, 15, and 16, I didn't want to stop reading. Once you find out more and more about the story, the more interesting it gets!
I've realized how released Huck must be to actually be free and away from his drunk father, whom only came around to collect money or needs something. I really dislike that man due incidents from previous chapters. Anyways, many slaves would love for this dream to come true. In chapter 16, there are a few pages that stick out to me. For example on page 89, when Jim tells Huck that he is his only friend. I smiled and got sad at the same time but I feel like the two have a strong connection to each other. Towards the end of these chapters, we begin to see a new Huck. At least to myself, I feel that Huck has changed and keeps developing more and more as the book goes continues. For example, when Huck plays the trick on Jim. I didn't really like that, but I liked how Huck owned up, and apologized. I think that's when his conscience stepped in. He decided to do the right thing. I feel like he also realizes that Jim isn't treating him like a slave, to me they're more of friends. Interested to find out more and more of this story! As I continued to read on in the book, the more interested I am! At times I get confused and have to re-read certain things to get a full understanding of what is happening. For example, when Jim talks. Makes me think about how differently people from this time period talk than they do now. When did literature change so drastically?
There are other things that still cross my mind and concern me. For example while they were on the wreck stealing things. Or the part where they were arguing about money. The man tied to the floor seemed a bit suspicious to me, almost like he was hiding something, and wouldn't say anything about it. Also, I wonder why Huck felt bad for the others left on the wreck. I thought he was all for the whole killing and getting killed life. I'm curious to read what happens in the next couple chapters. This bloke really sticks to its title. The "Adventures" of Huckleberry Finn. You never quite know what could happen! After reading more chapters, the book began to answer my questions from previous chapters. I am still not a fan of Huck's Dad. He isn't a good man at all. I very much dislike how he goes on and on about the government and how they're now letting black people vote and how that shouldn't be aloud. He seems to be very against this idea.
Something that interests me as I continue to read, is all of the things they believe to be true as to bad and good luck. Such as the snake skin. When I continue to read on I am constantly reminded of how different things are now, from the setting of the book. Towards the middle of this chapter selection, more questions appear. Is Huck afraid to stand up to his nasty father? He's not a dumb kid, so I don't understand. Why hasn't anyone? Is that why he is pretending to be dead, so he can get away? I find that to be a clever idea myself. Some other concerns I have are, If the court was concerned at all, why would they allow Huck to be with his father, without checking in on Huck? As I read on the book gets more and more interesting...Guess I'll have to continue to reading to find out more! When I first started reading this book, I didn't know what to expect. It took me a few chapters before I decided whether I liked it or not! Also, took me a bit to get used to the language. The time takes place back in slavery and the term "nigger," was a common usage back then. As I got past that and read on, the book became more appealing to me. Characters were introduced, and so far I'm not a fan of Huck's Dad. I was starting to get more interested.
I kept reading, and questions started to appear. For example, I questioned why Miss Watson keeps trying to change Huck and making him pray and stuff. I don't really like that, he should do what he wants without trying to be changed. It frustrates him and myself. At first I questioned why Huck wanted to kill miss Watson in place of his missing family, but after reading through these chapters I started to understand. He doesn't want to be changed. Another question I had was why did Huck's dad come back? Was it just for the money? Overall, the first few chapters have been alright, and I will continue to read with interest. Wondering what the next few chapters will bring! |