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Huck Finn
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March
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I thought it sad how Emmeline Grangerford didn't have anyone to write poems for her when she died, but she wrote poems for everyone else when they died. The pictures that she drew were so Gothic, though, as though the thought of death was always on her mind. And she was only 15 when she died. I could never think about dying all the time at that young an age. Also, if it hadn't said in the story that she died due to a sickness, I would have thought that she died due to suicide. I guess she sort of pined away after that time when the undertaker heard about the death of Whistler earlier than she did. Maybe she thought that her purpose in life was fading away, and she wasn't needed anymore.
ReplyDeletethe story of the grangerfords and shepherdsons reminds me of the story of romeo and juliet. maybe twain was trying to allude to that story with this story. the death of buck is very disturbing to huck though which makes him leave. i also noticed that buck is sort of like huck.
ReplyDeletethe story of emmeline grangerford was sad. she always wrote and drew sad things, which i find odd, since it is a weird way to live your life. it was odd she saw all this pain in the world, especially since she was only 14, when most people would be happy to be alive and be having fun
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ReplyDeleteI think there is a strong allusion to Romeo and Juliet when the story mentions the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons. Even the chorus to Romeo and Juliet seem to fit the plot.
ReplyDelete"Two households, botha like in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes..."
It becomes evident that in this case, the two households are the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons while the seeminly peaceful riverside is the scene. Likewise, in the novel there is also a feud that is intensifying due to the love between members of the two families.
Additionally, I also find it disturbing how in such a cheerful household someone like Emmeline could have existed. It seems as if she was from a different dimension than everybody else.
=-=-=-=-=-=
Questions:
1. Why does Mark Twain seemingly use an allusion?
2. Why does Mark Twain bring up the story of Emmeline?
For Huck, who has never really had a home aside from the Widow Douglas's house, the Grangerford house looks like a palace. Huck also admires Colonel Grangerford, the master of the house.
ReplyDeleteIts kind of interesting to see a Grangerford running of with another Shepherdson. It reminds me of the situation of Romeo and Juliet's families. The families kill each other but they still love each other.
This section, to me, was particularly a bore. We have a typical forbidden love story between two feuding families, which still has no conclusion when Huck leaves. In my opinion, the story of Emmeline is more of a sob-story, although I dare not try to confirm such a theory--it is a mere opinion.
ReplyDeleteBy now, I think it is quite apparent that the story is linear.
Question is, are they going to record their journey right down to the Atlantic or are they going to somehow backtrack to square one?
The story of Emmeline was very sad. It might be just me, but I thought that the section describing her artwork had a lot of humor it. It sounded satirical.
ReplyDelete"Underneath the picture it said 'Shall I Never See Thee More Alas'... and underneath the picture it said 'I Shall Never Hear Thy Sweet Chirrup More Alas'...and underneath the picture it said 'And Art Thou Gone Yes Thou Art Gone Alas'...These were all nice pictures, I reckon, but I didn't somehow seem to take to them, because if I ever I was down a little they always give me the fantods...But I reckoned that with her disposition she was having a better time in the graveyard" (pg 103-4).
That whole section, with the way Twain wrote it, struck me as very funny, witty, and it made me laugh out loud. I'm no sadist - read it again. The last, and obviously humorous line goes to show that Twain deliberately wrote the paragraph in such a manner to poke fun at people with such morbid outlooks on life. Perhaps he's saying here that you should cherish it and live cheerfully, instead of being gloomy all day. Huck, the protagonist, sure does not lack vigor for life.
What do you think?
After reading these two chapters, Huck starts to think that even when offered a comfortable and nice place to live, the horrifying problems and fights of the society sickens Huck. After experiencing the Grangerford-Stepherdson feud, he thinks that being on a raft is more “free and easy and comfortable on a raft” (117). The simple food of their raft life becomes more enjoyable than the food he had at the Grangerfords. I think this shows how raft symbolizes freedom and comfort from the outside world and the evils and problems of society.
ReplyDeleteChapters 17 and 18 were very interesting, especially the feud between the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons. When one family member dies, its like nothing happens at all. They gamble away their lives because of the feud and the fun of killing their rivals. I guess this is why it cause Huck to feel sick. However, in the end of the chapter 18, Huck finally realizes that the best home in the world was on the raft, because there was his best friend, Jim, food and freedom there. Although the house of Grangerfords is spacious, it is also at the same time cramped and covered because of the feud's existence.
ReplyDeleteI think the whole story is about Huck on a river, learning more and more as he goes to one place. Then, Huck and Jim go back onto the raft to go someplace else again. The story's plot is probably the events linked together.
As Robert said, the raft symbolizes a "getaway" from reality. This raft has been through many adventures along with Huck and Jim. It even houses this forbiddern friendship that they have. I think this escape from reality is far better than any of the problems that society has in prepare for them, so theyd rather choose a shabby raft instead of a high class house with nice food and clothes.
ReplyDeletemy question now is that do the neighbors represent anything? Why would the author put this in here if it didnt mean anything.
Why does Huck not understand the concept of riddles? This part sort of reminds me of the argument between Huck and Jim about King Salomon, and how Jim did not understand the point of the story. Both of them miss the point in both situations.
ReplyDeleteThe story of Emmeline was so sad! Why is she so depressed at the age of 15?!
While reading about the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons, i kept thinking about the Romeo and Juliet story, especially when a Grangerford and a Shepherdson runs off together, like the way Romeo and Juliet did. Why did Mark Twain put this part into the story? What's its significance?
I thought the part about the two families going to church together, while keeping guns between their knees when the minister preaches about brotherly love [p.111] was funny.
Emmeline scares me. Something tells me she already know what was to happen to her, or something.
ReplyDeleteDiane: Lol, maybe. People with gloomy outlooks have gloomy endings :P so be more optimistic! smile more! ;)
And the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons - I agree, it pretty much is just another Romeo and Juliet story. I guess it was popular back then, and alluding it would bring connections to something more famous? :) I don't know.
Ted: Maybe it also shows that although these southerners are aristrocrats of their society, are wealthy, are well-educated, they're still unreasonable and stubbourn as donkeys :D
Riddles - I guess Huck has just never heard of them before ;)
ReplyDeleteDemi: Yeah I agree. That part was so ironic. People like them (and Romeo/Juliet's families) think they're so above everyone else, but it all comes down to the same things :D
The Grangerford and Shepherdson families reminds me of Romeo and Juliet theme, as a Grangerford daughter and Shepherdson son fall inlove, causing a familial massacre. Ironically, the two lovers are the only ones that survive. I think by bringing the Grangerford and Shepherdson families shows the stupidity of even the most educated and respected families, who can destroy themselves through babyish behavior and excessive pride. Throughout these chapters, Huck consistently plays different characters in order to survive and to protect Jim. At the Grangerford's, he pretends to be an orphan and to the slave-hunters he pretends to be an innocent boy living with a sick family. Each of these roles shows different side of Huck. When Buck is killed, Huck is deeply affected by the entire tragedy and cries, pulling his friend's dead body out of the river. He wishes that he had not played a role in causing the death of so many people, and, at the same time, realizes how foolish the feud is.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Why is Twain introducing new characters after each incident?
I agree with Chuni about the allusion Mark Twain used to compare with the Grangerfords and Shephersons and Romeo&Juliet. Why did Twain use this allusion? Is it only to make the story more interesting? It was kind of interesting when Huck thought that there was no place as good as the Grangerfords, but he later feels sick and realizes (EPIPHANY) that there is no place better than his home on the raft, along with Jim as his companion.
ReplyDelete:D QUESTION:
(Excluding the ones already mentioned)
Does Huck like Jim as much as Jim likes Huck?
Will Buck know about Huck being Huck? (and not being George.)
I think the feid between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons is very much like the feud with the two families in Romeo and Juliet. At first, Huck gets absorbs into the good society. He likes the lifestyle and considered staying there forever. The kindness of the Grangerfords attracted him to stay. But after he saw the shooting between the two families in which Buck died, it kind of opened his eyes and realized this isn't the life he wants to live. I think Twain is trying to show that although the high class life may be very attracting, but at the end, the life that Huck Finn is living right now is the most stable one.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Chuni and James. The allusion between the Capulets and the Montagues and the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons is uncanny. Instead of Romeo and Juliet, there is Sophia and Harney.
ReplyDeleteBut something different about this Romeo and Juliet sequel is that the lovers are safe, and one of the families is wiped out. The Shepherdsons used the chance to kill almost all of the Grangerfords.
1. Do you think it is possible that the Shepherdsons used Harney to trick Sophia into loving him, to convince her to run off with him, and finally, to lure the Grangerfords into a trap?
2. Emmeline is a character created by Mark Twain taht is shrouded in mystery. Who is she? Why is her existence important?
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ReplyDeleteThis is a whole new experience for Huck, since except for the widow Douglas' house, he has never been with a real family. And Huck thought that there is no other places more comfortable than the Grangeford house, which he describes it as a palace. As other classmates mentioned, I think the situation between the Grangeford and the Shepherdsons is similar to the one between Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDeleteMy question is: what is the significance of Emmeline's story?
I find it quite ironic how they go to the same church, both learn about brotherly love, but still try to kill each other. I think the sections emphasizes how humanity is far from perfect, and how people fight for no reason, and kill sometimes for no motive, or not a good motive at all. Huck is caught in the middle, and I think the plot is beginning to grow, how Huck tries to find himself, grow up and at the same time learning about society and humanity, the goods and the bad.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what people above says. The Grangerford-Stepherdson feud is strongly reminiscent of the Montague-Capulet feud in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. As much as Huck loved the family and comfortable house, he could not stand the hatred between the two families, so he ran away from the Grangerfords. This reveals Huck as a compassionate person, because he would give up comfort and kindness to avoid witnessing death.
ReplyDeleteI think the feud between the Grangerford and the Shepherdsons a turning point in Huck’s life because this is the first time he had seen so much violence and blood in his life. Near the end of chapter 18, Huck starts to realize how fortunate it is to be with Jim rather than alone and how lucky it is to live on a raft rather than in a house. This feud also gave Huck a bigger view of what was going on in the world, about all the violence that is happening. This should be one of Huck’s adventure that he did not enjoy and finds more of a epiphany than fun.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned numerous times before, the family feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons and the forbidden love reminds me of the story of Romeo and Juliet. But, instead the lovers get away safely, leaving their family feud behind them.
ReplyDeleteAnother part I found interesting was the conversation between Buck and Huck regarding the family feud. Even when Buck says that he doesn't know what the Shepherdsons did to his family in the first place, he still follows blindly in the footsteps of his ancestors.
Do you guys think Sophia and Harney will live happily ever after? Or share the same fate as Romeo and Juliet? :O!!
There seems to be a lot of contrast between the two households normally and when they meet each other. The Grangerfords are very kind to Huck, but instantly react with violence when they encounter Shepherdsons. I definitely see a bit of parallel between R&J, even though the star-crossed lovers escape in this version. I also think it's very ironic how Buck says out loud how no one knows what the fued is about anymore, but still participates in it.
ReplyDeleteTeresa: I think Huck isn't sure about how he feels for Jim right now, since Jim is a "nigger," and more like an animal to him. However, he does seem to care quite a bit, since he is willing to lie to protect him. He also feels guilty about the trick he played, but at the same time seems to think it is a little below his dignity to apologize for it.
This chapter was a bit confusing to me and to me it seemed like Huck took a detour into a family very similar to one we would see in Romeo and Juliet. The parallels between the two are shockingly similar! Yet I felt that the purpose of this detour was utterly pointless. Besides showing some abnormal parallels between our modern world and Huck's I didn't really get the point of Twain writing this.
ReplyDeleteTo mathews Question: I dont feel that the Sheperdsons used Harney to trick Sophia into loving him just to lure the Grangerfords into a trap. Rather Twain was just finding a way to not make it EXACTLY like Romeo & Juliet. If he had made the exact same outcome as Romeo & Juliet then I think that the point of creating a parody of Romeo & Juliet would be a bit pointless.
Huck lied once again. He lied about his name! I honestly don’t get the point of him lying about his own name, because the man that saved him from the dogs doesn’t even know who Huck is. What shocked me the most was the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons. They even go to the same church together and hold rifles between their knees as the minister preaches to them. When Sophia Grangerford runs off with Harney Shepherdson and Buck Grangerford and a 19-year-old Grangerford have a gunfight with the Shepherdsons, I immediately related this part of the novel to Romeo and Juliet. When Huck finds Jim, it is like a miracle. Now that Jim has sort of come to save Huck from this feud between the two families, it seems like they are equal again.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 17, Huck lied again about his name, calling himself "George Jackson". When he lied to Mrs. Loftus, he used George too, but George Peters.
ReplyDeleteIt's ironic how Huck said, there's nothing better than living in a comfortable house, when he was always sneaking out when he lived with Widow Douglas.
I agree the part where Sophia Grangerford ran off with Harney Shepherdson sounded a lot like Romeo and Juliet.
On page 109 in the old version of the book, Buck says to Huck, "Why, where was you raised? Don't you know what a fued is?" Huck answers, saying, "Never heard of it before--tell me about it."
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of this quote? What does this say about Huck's social class/rank?
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ReplyDeleteOn page 116, Buck says that “the Shepherdsons laid for them in ambush.” This makes me question if Harney’s love for Sophia is real…We all know that Sophia was truly in love with Harney, from her reaction of the note in her Testament, but I think that it’s possible that Harney didn’t really love Sophia, and was only using her as a bait. He would lure her away, and of course, the predictable Grangerfords will charge to save Sophia; the Shepherdsons would lay an ambush and then kill many Grangerfords, thus winning the feud. Of course, there is a chance that Harney’s love for Sophia is true, and the Shepherdsons had merely seized the chance (“carpe diem” and all that), but I can't help but wonder…
ReplyDeleteQUESTION!! Why does Buck’s name rhyme with Huck?
Once again, Huck introduces himself as "George Jackson" again. In chapter 18, we find out about the rivalry between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons. I think it's ironic how they are rivals, but yet they still go to the same church while learning about brotherly love. I agree with Chuni. I think the Grangerfords and the Sheperdsons are like the Montagues and the Capulets in Romeo and Juliet, but instead of Romeo and Juliet, it is Harney and Sophia. Why do you think Mark Twain wrote the story about Emmeline? What is the significance?
ReplyDeletesay**
ReplyDeleteIn these two chapters there is something that really reminds me of the story “Romeo and Juliet”. Like two families having grudges against each other, and that also that both there kid died for there grudge, and also that Mr. Mark Twain portrays all people within the families kid, nice and good hearted, but why does he show that he was lots of slaves, isn’t that what we portray as cruelty or something not nice. Still he has lots of slave? Or does it show that what was right in the society was actually to own slaves?
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters, I think Huckleberry Finn realizes the reality of his community and racism more, which is like epiphany, what we have talked about in class today. He suddenly and slowly realized about the truth of racism and discrimination. I think it already happened in the part where Jim told him about his children and wife, Huckleberry Finn then realizes the truth of his community and society.
ReplyDeleteMy question for these chapters is that if Shepherdson and Grangerford does hate each other but also loves each other, why do they have to have this unnecessary thing? What’s the point of it? What’s the point of killing each other?
In these 2 chapters Huck lies again to get out of a situation. I have a feeling that Huck will keep lying in difficult situations.
ReplyDeleteThe story of Emmeline was very sad but interesting in a way how the whole house was cheerful, but they have this one family member who is morbid and was gloomy. Why did Twain tell the story of Emmeline? Whats the significance?
Its ironic how they go the same church and are learning about brotherly love, but Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons are complete opposite of what the church is talking about.
The Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons much resembles the story of Romeo and Juliet. Why did Twain make these two so similar? Was there a significance of doing this?
The feud between the Grangerford and the Shepherdsons is strikingly reminding of the feud between Romeo and Juliet, where the families hunt each other down for reasons forgotten, yet with a passion. Also, here Huck gets his first taste of life in a seemingly upper class society, where each family member has a horse and a servant to call upon. He decides he likes life here at first, but then realizes the dangers and the constant fighting and hating going on, and realizes that if he kept on staying here he would probably not be able to stand it, or worse, start hating like the family did.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Emmeline is very emo. Her drawings reflect recurrent themes of sadness. Why?
Demi: I think Mark Twain realized that he was writing based on the story of Romeo and Juliet where two peopl from oppposing families became lovers. Mark Twain perhaps linked Harney and Sophia on purpose so that we can look at those two lovers from another perspective. From Romeo and Juliet, the ending was touching and ended happily where the families discontinued the wars. By connecting the story of Romeo and Juliet, the readers can look at a different perspective. In addition, Romeo and Juliet was a famous classic story, which makes the readers be more interested in reading Huck Finn (because their stories are relevant. But then again, as what Mathew said, all of this could be just a trap. It could a trap meaning that Harney's love for Sophia was fake so that the Shepherdsons would have a better chance to kill the Grangerfords.
ReplyDeleteQ: Why does Colonel Grangerford still need to kill Harney Shepherdson if he didn't know about the feud himself? Isn't it ironic that in the big picture, he is actually doing thing that he doesn't know?
ReplyDeleteMichael: I agree, the feud doesn't end in one generation, but forever, and just like "Romeo and Juliet", the to clan can end up in a tragedy as well.
ReplyDeleteChapter 17 and 18 are a bit scary. I felt like they were in danger all the time yet they were not really worried. It was almost a week since Huck left Jim and he didn’t even bother to look for him. Although they been through a lot, I don’t think Huck cares enough for Jim. It is good that Jim and Huck got back together on the raft. overall, chapter 17 and 18 are really interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very interesting how Twain uses a theme like that of Romeo and Juliet. The irony is also similiar, how two families that are actually very similiar, and are both in the same social rank and have many similiar values, like the church they go to, still fight each other so violently. The Grangerfords are nearly wiped out, as a matter of fact.
ReplyDeleteAlso, i was kind of surprised when Huck finds Jim again. I thought at this point that they wouldn't see each other again. It is sort of amazing, because Jim came to save Huck from the feud. Now, Huck has newfound respect for Jim; he doesn't see him as merely a black guy and therefore a lesser man.
ALLEN YU's response:
ReplyDeleteThese two chapters were very interesting, especially the feud between the two families. When one family member dies, its like nothing interesting has happened at all. I guess this is why it cause Huck to feel sick. In these 2 chapters Huck lies again to get out of a situation. I have a feeling that Huck will keep lying in difficult situations.
The story of Emmeline was very sad but interesting in a way how the whole house was cheerful, but they have this one family member who is morbid and was gloomy.
I think that the story of the Sheperdsons and the Grangerfords definitely resemble that of the story of Romeo and Juliet. Both stories talk about two lovers whose families are in a feud, but nothing will stop them from being with each other. Do you suppose this is an important event in the story, or is this just another "adventure" that Huck is experiencing?
ReplyDeleteDoes Emmeline symbolize something? She stands out in her otherwise peaceful (with the exception of the feud) family because of the pain and suffering she sees in the world. the way Mark Twain describes her reminds me a stereotypical "emo" person.
Like what Chuni and James and a lot of other people said, I think the feud between the Shepherdson and Grangerford resembles the fued Romeo's family and Juliet's family has on each other. For example, in both stories, the families were in war with each other, and a son from one family runs away with the daughter from the other family.
ReplyDeleteLike what Jasper Louh said too, I was somewhat surprised when Jim appeared at the end of chapter 18. When Twain described how much Huck liked the new house and didn't wanted to leave, I thought Huck would never see his old life again, including Jim. Surprisingly, in the end, they both met up again and continued their adventure from where they last left off.
In the house of the Grangerfords, Huck felt like in a real home.These two chapters reviewed me about the story of Romeo and Juliet, it is the same situation as the two family of Romeo and Juliet. Although the two families had a real grudge, but then they still loved each other.
ReplyDeleteIt is ironic If they really wanted to kill each other. I really misunderstood here.
I agree with everybody that the fued of the Shepherdsons and the Grangerfords is extremely similar the the story of Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDeleteI also found that there is a lot of repetition from to beginning of the book till now. For example, Huck's use of similar fake names, the way Huck manages to get himself out of trouble, and the thought that Huck was dead. Huck kept using similar names to George. Huck also keeps managing to talk himself out of trouble. I also found this repetition quite interesting, everytime Jim thinks Huck is dead, he meets up with huck again.
Does Huck like Jim as much as Jim likes Huck?
ReplyDeleteRight now Jim likes Huck more than Huck likes Jim. However, Huck has realized that Jim really cares about him and that Jim has feelings for him. Huck is slowly warming up to him and they will continue to bond as they adventure.
The Shepherdsons and Grangerfords remind me of the Capulets and Montagues in "Romeo and Juliet." They hate each other so much that they even bring guns to church, yet they don't know/remember why. This little feud symbolizes what's happening in Huck's society between white and black people. The blacks are being denied their humanity because they're considered a lower group compared to the whites. Huck 's disgust of this forces him to leave again with Jim, who he luckily finds again. This symbolizes Huck's denial of society's inhumane standards and beliefs.
ReplyDelete I think things are happening to fast for Huck because he just met the Grangerfords family few days ago, and then they died the next day. Also, the story of Sophia and Harney is kind of dramatic because it seems like Romeo and Juliet. Huck had an epiphany of happiness when he and Jim were on the raft talking and eating together.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: In your opinion, do you think that it’s possible to bring Jack with them (Huck and Jim)?
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ReplyDeleteHuck's lying skills come in handy again when introduces himself as George Jackson, and when he makes up the story of him being orphaned. He likes the Grangerfords place because of the nice house and kind people. But after seeing the gunfight, he and Jim decides to leave.
ReplyDeleteI agree that story of the Grangerfords and Sheperdsons surprisingly similar to Romeo and Juliet. They're both about two people who love each other but are from two feuding families.
Mark Twain uses a serious tone in chapter 18, which adds a tragic atmosphere. Before this chapter, Mark Twain usually has a mocking, satircal tone to laugh at issues in society like racism. Once Buck and the 19 year old grangerfold was killed during the gunfight, Huck Finn realized that even the most generous, respectful family can lose their minds when hatred takes over. I think the recent chapters are getting more exciting and it is getting to the main plot.
ReplyDeleteThe novel has become very interesting, lots of things had happen between Jim and Huck. Authors had reveals how Huck had finally learned and understand Jim, also to know how much Huck needs Jim. I thought Huck was pretty lucky in a way, no matter where he goes, with his excellent lies he could be let other people take care of him. This somehow tells us that if Huck wants to, he could be very good intelligent boys just like another people. It’s kind of ironic of how Jim and Huck would rather have the life without any interactions with people other than themselves. Somehow, if they were to associate with others, they don’t seem like they like those kind of life. One thing Jim and Huck have in common was that, both of them wants freedom. I believe, as a whole, I can see there’s a special bond between Jim and Huck that would not split them apart. Sometimes Huck would want to get away from Jim, but then in the end they are together traveling to freedom state.
ReplyDeleteTo Vivi's Question:
ReplyDeleteIn my opinions, it is possible to bring along Jack with them. But somehow, it seems to me that Jim and Huck wouldn't have any intention on bringing another person with them to where they're going. Because Jim and Huck had been traveling together for long while now, if its to bring another person along, it would be very troublesome if it's not someone that's very important to them. Like how important Huck is to Jim.
In chapters 17 and 18, I thought Emmeline Grangerford was a really lonely girl. Her poem even talked about death. But before that I thought that Huck was really lucky to have a place to live for now. I especially thought the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons were interesting. It’s really weird how they want to kill each other, yet both of them haven’t really done anything wrong to them.
ReplyDeleteMy question: Why did Twain put he part of Emmeline Grangerford into the story, is there anything to it?
Matthew: Do you think it is possible that the Shepherdsons used Harney to trick Sophia into loving him, to convince her to run off with him, and finally, to lure the Grangerfords into a trap?
I don’t think so. I think they actually loved each other; they didn’t really care if the two of them were Shepherdsons and Grangerfords.
Jackie: Do you guys think Sophia and Harney will live happily ever after? Or share the same fate as Romeo and Juliet? :O!!
If Sophia and Harney are lucky to get away maybe they will live happily ever after. If not… who knows?
In these two chapters, Huck stays with the Grangerfords. This is the first time he has been with a normal family, but at the end he regrets it. Huck loved the Grangerfords and he became close friends with Buck, but soon he realizes the hatred between the Shepherdsons and Grangerfords and he feels troubled and sickened. But before Huck realizes that being with Jim and living on the raft is better than in this wonderful house, did he ever wish that he could have a normal family and normal life?
ReplyDeleteFrom the beginning of the novel until now, I can see that Huck has changed. In the beginning, Huck along with Tom Sawyer and his gang could talk about violence and killing as if it was a game. But now Huck actually sees his own friend killed. How does he feel now?
Matt:
I don’t think the Shepherdsons would do that. And if they did they are just evil XD.
I agree with everyone that the part about the Shepherdsons and the Grangerfords was extremely similar to the story about Romeo and Juliet. We never really get to see the results of the two families, however, because Huck feels sick about how people were killed because of unknown reasons and he leaves with Jim. There is significance to this part, however. When Huck sees the men and boys fighting each other, he says, “The boys jumped for the river—both of them hurt—and as they swum down the current the men run along the bank shooting at them and signing out, “Kill them, kill them!” It made me so sick I most fell out of the tree. I ain’t a-going to tell all that happened—it would make me sick again if I was to do that. I wished I hadn’t ever come ashore that night to see such things. I ain’t ever going to get shut of them—lots of times I dream about them.” I think that Huck learns a lesson here about killing and the ugly side of humans. People can be extremely stupid sometimes, to the point that they cannot realize that they are just hurting themselves. Even Buck, who was so nice to Huck, went crazy and got himself killed. Emmeline realized this idiocy, I think, and her poetry reflected it.
ReplyDeleteAfter staying in the Grangerfords’s house, Huck became close friends with Buck Grangerford. He learns about the feud between the two families. Soon the two families fight and Buck gets killed. Huck wishes he had never set foot in the Grangerfords’s house. My question is why did Twain want to include this section in Huck’s adventure? Is it significant?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading chapter 17, I almost thought that Huck would simply stay at the house of the Grangerfords for his whole since it was so nice and comfortable there. My question is that if it were not for the gun fight between the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons, would Huck be satisfied with his life there, or would he eventually move away in search for more adventure?
ReplyDeleteI think it is ironic how the Grangerfords are so wealthy and have everything they could possibly want, but they can’t enjoy a peaceful life because of the family feud with the Shepherdsons. The family feud between the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons revealed in chapter 18 also reminds me of the story of Romeo and Juliet. Harney and Miss Sophia are just like Romeo and Juliet, two lovers who come from families that are enemies with each other. I wonder if Mark Twain intended for this similarity in his novel or not?
ReplyDeleteFinally! Some action! Is it just me, or does the situation with the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons feel kind of like the idea behind Romeo & Juliet? All the feuds and fighting...quite related.
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
What do you think was the cause of the feud? Do you think this topic may recur in the future?
Response to Ty:
I think that, given the habitual events with Huck being adventurous, he should have gone off to some other adventure sooner or later. As with previous encounters, he soon leaves, and should that continue, at high chance too, he's bound to leave sometime. Plus, with so much of the book left, do YOU think that he would've stayed there? I don't really think so.
I thought chapter 17 was pretty interesting. It was nice to see that Huck found a real home (Grangerfords) where he actually felt comfortable living with, instead of staying with widow douglas where he felt restricted. The Grangerfords are an awful nice family with a nice house, all of the family members care for Huck. Kinda weird how Emmeline has such a depressing past life when all the other family members are so cheerful. In chapter 18, Buck tells Huck about the reason for feud between the shepardsons and the grangerfords, I thought the way Buck explained it was kinda funny, because he didnt sound too serious about it. Then, as most of the classmates said, the relationship between the Grangerfords and Shepardsons is just like the 2 families in the Shakesphere play "Romeo and Juliet". Lots of death on both sides of the family were mainly caused by quarrels of the family members. Buck and Huck once saw a shepardson, and Buck shot it's hat off, that was scary, because they were being chased by the shepardson. It was a close encounter. It was sad how in the end Buck got himself killed.
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