The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is already wuite an interesting book. Although I have only read the first five chapters I am captivated by the genius of it all. Since I am not that far into the book it would seem unfair to try and create a theme or moral from it but many things interested me.
The main character is a country boy who thinks logically and simply, "So then I judged that all that sruff was only just one of Tom Sawyer's lies. I reckon he believed in thet A-rabs and the elphants, but as for me I think different. It had all the marks of a Sunday-school." Just from that sentence you can see the character of Huck so well. He has his own spin on life but is willing to listen to new things. But if they don't match up to his idea of reality he just blows it off and forgets about it. It is actually quite comical to see him go through those thought processes.
Already I can see that Huck is a quick learner. At first he doesn't appreciate at all what the widow he is staying with does for him. He sees it all as pointless and not his type of life style. However, later on he begins to warm up to her and recognize what she can offer him and he tolerates her. This is tremendous growth from a young character in merely a few chapters so I can only imagine what will happend later on.
I can see that this book will have the potential to teach me, or "learn" me in the words of Huck, many things about life that I thought I already knew. I am very excited to get farther into the book and uncover some of the underlying messages that it can offer.
I agree! I think that Huck is a wonderful learner and it will be interesting to see what else he learns and how else he analyzes the things that he is taught. It will be fun to find out what he will teach us throughout the book. You're doing great buddy keep up the good work! =]
ReplyDeleteI like what you are saying here, but sadly I don't agree. Huck Finn is only as smart as he wants to be. I think if he was really smart he wouldn't be so selfish. Don't take this the wrong way, though. But he doesn't like the true reality. You said it yourself "But if they don't match up to his idea of reality he just blows it off and forgets about it." And while that may be true, it doesn't make him smart. I think the real question you should ask is: What makes someone smart? In my opinion Huck falls in the smart stupid category. I think Huck is more witty than smart.
ReplyDeleteOoohhhh, debate...We'll see how it plays out...Huck certainly isn't educated. Still I think you're picking up on one of the key themes of the text there Bryant - watch for more on education/social values and see how Twain riffs on them all through Huck's perspective. Huck certainly is clever, and shows great wit.... I wonder if sometimes it doesn't take more intelligence and courage to stand up to someone with a higher education than yours...they can sound so doggone smart, and sometimes they have those fancy plaques with diplomas in 'em...Question everything, right? I think that's one lesson Huck has down...
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