"though I shall always say that he used my daughter extremely ill; and, if I was her, I would not have put up with it. Well, my comfort is, I am sure Jane will die of a broken heart, and then he will be sorry for what he has done"(223).
All Mrs. Bennett cares about is marriage and anything that ties into it: "The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news"(7). This single line is the perfect characterization of Mrs. Bennet. Her ultimate goal in life is to marry off her daughters to rich, agreeable, well mannered, handsome men. However, any man will do considering the Bennet family's social status. Mr. Bennet jokingly states the truth about his wife to Elizabeth: "but it is a comfort to think that, whatever of that kind may befall you, you have an affectionate mother who will always make the most of it"(137), regarding that she would be ecstatic if any of her daughters were to be married. Mrs. Bennet is completely obsessed with her daughters gaining a higher social status. In speaking to Elizabeth, she seems happier to make Mr. Bingley sorry for giving up Jane instead of her own daughter's feelings. Thankfully, if Jane actually did die of a broken heart, Elizabeth "could not receive comfort from any such expectation"(223).
Identify the speaker of this quote:
"The officers will find women better worth their notice. Let us hope, therefore, that her being there may teach her her own insignificance. At any rate, she cannot grow many degrees worse, without authorising us to lock her up for the rest of her life"(227).
a.) Elizabeth
b.) Kitty
c.) Mrs. Bennet
d.) Mr. Bennet
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Pride and Prejudice 8: Ch. 11-13
"Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself" (205).
The title of this novel, Pride and Prejudice, along with its original title, First Impressions, both pertain to Elizabeth's situation. Elizabeth claims herself to be realistic in comparison to her sister, Jane who sees the good in everyone. However, Elizabeth relies on only her first impression of people and relates all of their later actions to fit in accordance with the first. As Elizabeth rejects Mr. Darcy's proposal she states that the main reason for her hatred of him stemmed "From the very beginning, from the first moment [...] of my acquaintance with you"(190). Just as Elizabeth judged Darcy on her first impression of him, she did the same with Mr. Wickham. Mr. Wickham is intelligent, charming, well mannered, and "His appearance was greatly in his favour: he had all the best parts of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure and very pleasing address" (73). First impressions are not always what they seem, as we see that Elizabeth's first impressions of Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy led her to some very wrong assumptions. She was proud and thought she knew everything about the two, when in fact, she made the ore humiliating discovery that her judgements were wrong.
What was Mr. Wickham's reasons for wanting to marry Miss Darcy?
a.) to gain Miss Darcy's wealth and to seek revenge on Mr. Darcy
b.) to make up with Mr. Darcy
c.) Mr. Wickham did not want to marry Miss Darcy, she actually wanted to marry him
d.) the late Mr. Darcy arranged the marriage
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Pride and Prejudice 7: Ch. 6-10
"Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence"(165).
Upon Lady Catherine De Bourgh's meeting of Elizabeth, she tries to find out everything she can about her. When asked her age, Elizabeth responds: "With three younger sisters grown up, [...] your ladyship can hardly expect me to own it"(165). Lady Catherine is put off by Elizabeth's wit in avoiding a straight answer. Lady Catherine wanted to examine this new stranger to her, Elizabeth, as she does to all strangers. She asks questions and expects to receive answers. Lady Catherine delivers "her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner as proved that she was not used to have her judgement controverted"(163). Although Elizabeth did not directly go against the judgement of Lady Catherine, she did hinder Lady Catherine's search for expected answers. The "air [of Lady Catherine] was not conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her visitors forget their inferior rank. She was not rendered formidable by silence: but whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone as marked her self-importance"(162). To put it simply, Lady Catherine always got her way from those who held an inferior status to her, which was in fact everyone. Elizabeth's defiance was a first, and certainly a shock to Lady Catherine.
In the conversation between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy while Elizabeth was playing the piano, what was the excuse that Mr. Darcy gave upon his lack of introducing himself to strangers?
a.) he claims that there is never anyone around to introduce him
b.) he has given up on meeting new people
c.) he is not skilled at being outgoing or meeting new people
d.) he claims that Elizabeth is lying as he always finds pleasure in meeting new people
Upon Lady Catherine De Bourgh's meeting of Elizabeth, she tries to find out everything she can about her. When asked her age, Elizabeth responds: "With three younger sisters grown up, [...] your ladyship can hardly expect me to own it"(165). Lady Catherine is put off by Elizabeth's wit in avoiding a straight answer. Lady Catherine wanted to examine this new stranger to her, Elizabeth, as she does to all strangers. She asks questions and expects to receive answers. Lady Catherine delivers "her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner as proved that she was not used to have her judgement controverted"(163). Although Elizabeth did not directly go against the judgement of Lady Catherine, she did hinder Lady Catherine's search for expected answers. The "air [of Lady Catherine] was not conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her visitors forget their inferior rank. She was not rendered formidable by silence: but whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone as marked her self-importance"(162). To put it simply, Lady Catherine always got her way from those who held an inferior status to her, which was in fact everyone. Elizabeth's defiance was a first, and certainly a shock to Lady Catherine.
In the conversation between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy while Elizabeth was playing the piano, what was the excuse that Mr. Darcy gave upon his lack of introducing himself to strangers?
a.) he claims that there is never anyone around to introduce him
b.) he has given up on meeting new people
c.) he is not skilled at being outgoing or meeting new people
d.) he claims that Elizabeth is lying as he always finds pleasure in meeting new people
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Pride and Prejudice 6: Ch. 2-5
"A man in distressed circumstances has not time for all those elegant decorums which other people may observe. If she does not object to it, why should we?"(153).
Mrs. Gardiner is trying to warn Elizabeth that all is not right with Mr. Wickham, she is the voice of reason. She advises Elizabeth, "I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve yourself, or indeavour to involve him, in an affection"(144). After sharing with her aunt about Mr. Wickham's new love, more advice came to stay away from Mr. Wickham. Upon hearing this advice, Elizabeth begins to take on characteristics much unlike herself. She begins to take on qualities of Jane. Jane is too optimistic and sees only the good in people. She can defend anyone's actions. Elizabeth is doing exactly what Jane would do regarding Mr. Wickham. She is consumed with "pure and elevating passion" for Mr. Wickham and is blinded by it. She fails to see the points that Mrs. Gardiner is makes and sees everyhing, even Mr. Wickham's rudeness as being justified. Elizabeth criticizes Jane for being unrealistic, and now when she is put in Jane's shoes she acts the exact same way.
After Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth's conversation, it is seen that Mrs. Gardiner's feelings on Elizabeth's relationship with Mr. Wickham are as such:
a.) she believes that Elizabeth should marry him for his money
b.) she thinks Elizabeth should hate him for not liking her anymore
c.) she is hopeful that he will ask Elizabeth's hand in marriage
d.) it is better to be cautious by cutting off ties from him
Mrs. Gardiner is trying to warn Elizabeth that all is not right with Mr. Wickham, she is the voice of reason. She advises Elizabeth, "I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve yourself, or indeavour to involve him, in an affection"(144). After sharing with her aunt about Mr. Wickham's new love, more advice came to stay away from Mr. Wickham. Upon hearing this advice, Elizabeth begins to take on characteristics much unlike herself. She begins to take on qualities of Jane. Jane is too optimistic and sees only the good in people. She can defend anyone's actions. Elizabeth is doing exactly what Jane would do regarding Mr. Wickham. She is consumed with "pure and elevating passion" for Mr. Wickham and is blinded by it. She fails to see the points that Mrs. Gardiner is makes and sees everyhing, even Mr. Wickham's rudeness as being justified. Elizabeth criticizes Jane for being unrealistic, and now when she is put in Jane's shoes she acts the exact same way.
After Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth's conversation, it is seen that Mrs. Gardiner's feelings on Elizabeth's relationship with Mr. Wickham are as such:
a.) she believes that Elizabeth should marry him for his money
b.) she thinks Elizabeth should hate him for not liking her anymore
c.) she is hopeful that he will ask Elizabeth's hand in marriage
d.) it is better to be cautious by cutting off ties from him
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Pride and Prejudice 5: Ch 21-1
"I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and, considering Mr. Collins's character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state"(125).
After being rejected by Elizabeth, Mr. Collins was comforted by Charlotte Lucas and the two became engaged. Since Charlotte was "at the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome"(123), she would be inclined to take any respectable man that would ask her hand in marriage. Elizabeth "had always felt that Charlotte's opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her own"(125). Along with not sharing in Elizabeth's idea of marriage, Charlotte does not share in the ideas of what marriage should be based upon today. Charlotte is marrying Mr. Collins because it is a smart thing to do. "Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable", however Charlotte only wanted to move up into the next social class. She is not in love with Mr. Collins and he does not make her emotionally happy. Charlotte's definition of happiness in a marriage is being comfortable and hopefully gaining status and wealth. Without love, there would be no one to share this "happiness" with.
How did Mrs. Bennett react to the engagement of Mr. Collins and Charlotte Lucas?
a.) she was appalled, treating Mr. Collins and the Lucas's very rudely
b.) she was ecstatic and offered to throw Charlotte a wedding shower
c.) she was thankful that he was marrying Charlotte and not Elizabeth
d.) she was angry because Mr. Collins had expressed feelings for Jane already
After being rejected by Elizabeth, Mr. Collins was comforted by Charlotte Lucas and the two became engaged. Since Charlotte was "at the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome"(123), she would be inclined to take any respectable man that would ask her hand in marriage. Elizabeth "had always felt that Charlotte's opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her own"(125). Along with not sharing in Elizabeth's idea of marriage, Charlotte does not share in the ideas of what marriage should be based upon today. Charlotte is marrying Mr. Collins because it is a smart thing to do. "Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable", however Charlotte only wanted to move up into the next social class. She is not in love with Mr. Collins and he does not make her emotionally happy. Charlotte's definition of happiness in a marriage is being comfortable and hopefully gaining status and wealth. Without love, there would be no one to share this "happiness" with.
How did Mrs. Bennett react to the engagement of Mr. Collins and Charlotte Lucas?
a.) she was appalled, treating Mr. Collins and the Lucas's very rudely
b.) she was ecstatic and offered to throw Charlotte a wedding shower
c.) she was thankful that he was marrying Charlotte and not Elizabeth
d.) she was angry because Mr. Collins had expressed feelings for Jane already
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Pride and Prejudice:3 Ch. 11-16
"Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride-- where there is a real superiority of mind-- pride will be always under good regulation"(57).
Vanity is wanting others to think highly of you, and pride is thinking that you are better than everyone else. C.S. Lewis believes these definitions to be true. He also believes that pride is a much worse sin than vanity because being proud is also putting down the people around you and their opinions because of arrogance. Mr. Darcy feels the opposite. He feels that caring about what others thing is weak, and pride can be a positive in one's personality. However, Mr. Darcy is completely mistaken. Pride is the worst sin one can commit. Mr. Darcy thinks very highly of himself and no one in Hertfordshire finds him to be very agreeable: "Every body is disgusted with his pride. You will not find him fore favourably spoken of by any one"(79). Pride is a very unfavorable quality, even for a society that has status and money as a priority.
In Mr. Wickham and Elizabeth's conversation about Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy's relationship can be described as:
a.) They have known each other since birth and are very close friends.
b.) They are not very fond of each other.
c.) They have never met each other.
d.) They are fighting over which one of them will get to marry Jane.
Vanity is wanting others to think highly of you, and pride is thinking that you are better than everyone else. C.S. Lewis believes these definitions to be true. He also believes that pride is a much worse sin than vanity because being proud is also putting down the people around you and their opinions because of arrogance. Mr. Darcy feels the opposite. He feels that caring about what others thing is weak, and pride can be a positive in one's personality. However, Mr. Darcy is completely mistaken. Pride is the worst sin one can commit. Mr. Darcy thinks very highly of himself and no one in Hertfordshire finds him to be very agreeable: "Every body is disgusted with his pride. You will not find him fore favourably spoken of by any one"(79). Pride is a very unfavorable quality, even for a society that has status and money as a priority.
In Mr. Wickham and Elizabeth's conversation about Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy's relationship can be described as:
a.) They have known each other since birth and are very close friends.
b.) They are not very fond of each other.
c.) They have never met each other.
d.) They are fighting over which one of them will get to marry Jane.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Pride and Prejudice Chapter 7-10
"He has always something to say to every body. That is my idea of good-breeding and those persons who fancy themselves very important and never open their mouths quite mistake the matter"(44).
Mrs. Bennett tries desperately to marry off her daughters: "The business of her life was to get her daughters married"(7). One of the most important factors in attempting to find a suitable husband for her daughter (especially Jane), is how much a man is worth. In this society, women rely on men for money and are constantly trying to move up in social class. However, in even the higher social classes, there are people who are held above and below each other. This deciding factor is agreeable or disagreeable manners. For example, Mr. Darcey is extremely wealthy, and also extremely disliked. This is because although he has nearly perfect technical manners, in a social sense he has very poor manners. Mr. Darcey comes across as proud and arrogant causing many people to hate him. Mrs. Bennett agrees with this idea of thinking in saying that she believes good manners accompany an outgoing and friendly personality.
Upon seeing that Jane does not have a life threatening sickness, Mrs. Bennett:
a.) is relieved that Jane is feeling better so she can come home
b.) is hopeful that Jane is sick enough so she can stay with Bingsley longer
c.) is angry that Jane stayed with Bingsley for such a long time
d.) is horrified to see how awful and sickly her daughter looks
Mrs. Bennett tries desperately to marry off her daughters: "The business of her life was to get her daughters married"(7). One of the most important factors in attempting to find a suitable husband for her daughter (especially Jane), is how much a man is worth. In this society, women rely on men for money and are constantly trying to move up in social class. However, in even the higher social classes, there are people who are held above and below each other. This deciding factor is agreeable or disagreeable manners. For example, Mr. Darcey is extremely wealthy, and also extremely disliked. This is because although he has nearly perfect technical manners, in a social sense he has very poor manners. Mr. Darcey comes across as proud and arrogant causing many people to hate him. Mrs. Bennett agrees with this idea of thinking in saying that she believes good manners accompany an outgoing and friendly personality.
Upon seeing that Jane does not have a life threatening sickness, Mrs. Bennett:
a.) is relieved that Jane is feeling better so she can come home
b.) is hopeful that Jane is sick enough so she can stay with Bingsley longer
c.) is angry that Jane stayed with Bingsley for such a long time
d.) is horrified to see how awful and sickly her daughter looks
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Huck Finn 9: pg. 185-209
"March off like a passel o' fools and leave eight or nine thous'n' dollars'"(190).
passel- a large quantity or group
"they're young and spry, and k'n easy earn a livin'"(190).
spry- active; nimble; agile; energetic; brisk
"I reckon a body that ups and tells the truth when he is in a tight place, is taking considerable many resks, though I ain't had no experience, and can't say for certain; but it looks so to me, anyway; and yet here's a case where I'm blest if it don't look to me like the truth is better, and actuly safer, than a lie"(200).
Most of the time, telling the truth is much harder than telling a lie. You can manipulate a lie to reach a desired outcome. However, when telling the truth, it is hard to predict the result, making it a risky endeavor. The truth can seem very hard to tell, and the reactions to it immediately might not be favorable, but in the long run, telling the truth is always a better choice than lying. In Huck's situation, he did not know what revealing the truth about her "uncles" would bring. However, Huck realized that if he lied to Mary Jane, he could keep getting caught up in this lie and that would be worse than the real truth. Huck didn't want any trouble, and he certainly did not want to cause any trouble with Mary Jane. He realized that telling the truth was a better option for everyone involved. While it might not always seem it, the truth can be a safer route than lying.
"It was well enough to tell her so-- no harm in it. It was only a little thing to do, and no trouble; and it's the little things that smoothes people's roads the most, down here below; it would make Mary Jane comfortable, and it wouldn't cost nothing"(203).
This quote clearly contrasts with the first one. In this quote Huck explains his feelings about white lies being tolerable. Huck told Mary Jane to "give your love to your uncles"(203), before she left the house in the morning. However, the news that Mary Jane just received made her think otherwise: "Gone to see a friend is all right, but I won't have my love given to them [her uncles]"(203). Huck told Mary Jane that if she really felt that strongly about not passing along that news, he wouldn't do it. However, Huck did pass along Mary Jane's unwillingly given love to her uncles. Huck defends this by explaining that Mary Jane would never know and that it would not affect her at all. Huck did lie which many of us would view as wrong. However, like most of Huck's wrongs, he does it with good intentions. He simply wants to comfort Mary Jane, he knows the lie will not hurt her. His heart is in the right place even if his actions speak otherwise.
passel- a large quantity or group
"they're young and spry, and k'n easy earn a livin'"(190).
spry- active; nimble; agile; energetic; brisk
"I reckon a body that ups and tells the truth when he is in a tight place, is taking considerable many resks, though I ain't had no experience, and can't say for certain; but it looks so to me, anyway; and yet here's a case where I'm blest if it don't look to me like the truth is better, and actuly safer, than a lie"(200).
Most of the time, telling the truth is much harder than telling a lie. You can manipulate a lie to reach a desired outcome. However, when telling the truth, it is hard to predict the result, making it a risky endeavor. The truth can seem very hard to tell, and the reactions to it immediately might not be favorable, but in the long run, telling the truth is always a better choice than lying. In Huck's situation, he did not know what revealing the truth about her "uncles" would bring. However, Huck realized that if he lied to Mary Jane, he could keep getting caught up in this lie and that would be worse than the real truth. Huck didn't want any trouble, and he certainly did not want to cause any trouble with Mary Jane. He realized that telling the truth was a better option for everyone involved. While it might not always seem it, the truth can be a safer route than lying.
"It was well enough to tell her so-- no harm in it. It was only a little thing to do, and no trouble; and it's the little things that smoothes people's roads the most, down here below; it would make Mary Jane comfortable, and it wouldn't cost nothing"(203).
This quote clearly contrasts with the first one. In this quote Huck explains his feelings about white lies being tolerable. Huck told Mary Jane to "give your love to your uncles"(203), before she left the house in the morning. However, the news that Mary Jane just received made her think otherwise: "Gone to see a friend is all right, but I won't have my love given to them [her uncles]"(203). Huck told Mary Jane that if she really felt that strongly about not passing along that news, he wouldn't do it. However, Huck did pass along Mary Jane's unwillingly given love to her uncles. Huck defends this by explaining that Mary Jane would never know and that it would not affect her at all. Huck did lie which many of us would view as wrong. However, like most of Huck's wrongs, he does it with good intentions. He simply wants to comfort Mary Jane, he knows the lie will not hurt her. His heart is in the right place even if his actions speak otherwise.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Huck and Jim
Huck:
Well, we had been on the river `bout three, four days now and seen the first lights in a while. Me and Jim was mighty happy to reach that town. We hadn't had much good food or clean water for days. It was `bout 11 o'clock I expect when we came to the town, since we only travel at night and all. It was so late I decided I would go into town in the morning to get us something to eat and some more supplies. Less questions to be raised that way then if I showed up as a stranger in a town in the middle of the night. Me and Jim was mighty hungry, but we knowed we'd buy some good food first thing in the morning. We was so tired from being on the raft so long we fell right asleep dreaming of how much better we would make the raft tomorrow.
I awoke startled in the morning. Something wasn't settin' right with me, like I had a bad feeling or somethin'. I figured it was `cause I was so hungry. We didn't know what time it was. It was so cloudy out making it hard to tell and all, but we suspected it might'a been about nine or ten in the mornin'. I told Jim this would be a good time to go ashore and buy us some food; or better yet, find someone to just plain give us some food. I says to Jim:
"I dunno when I'll be back. We needa try n' save our money as best we can. I'm gonna do my best to see if I can get us some food without havin' to buy it. But I won't do no more of pap's borrowin. If I have to pay for it I will. I'm mighty hungry."
I paddled to shore as quick as I could. I tied up the canoe. From the shore I couldn’t even see where me and Jim was hiding, that was a good sign. I walked kinda quickly into town. There were a lot of streets and I didn’t exactly know where to go, it was too busy. There was quite a lot of people around, too and before I knew it I ran right into one of ‘em. Well, as if that weren’t bad enough, to make it all worse, I ran right into pap.
What he was doin’ in that town I might never know. But it was one hell of a coincidence. I warn’t glad to see him. He didn’t say nothin’, not a single word. All he done was grab me by the collar and drag me away. I wasn’t hungry no more. All I could think of was if I’d ever see Jim again.
Jim:
I tell ya I’m mighty proud o’ that Huck. We was on that raft fo’ sumthin’ long ‘fore we came about th’ next town. That chile never complained, not even once. I even found ole Jim to be havin’ an awful hard time settin on that raft fo’ so long. Me and Huck was so excited to see them shinin’ lights that night. We was gwyne have Huck go aroun’ the town t’nigh, but Huck mighta became too much noticed. Huck says I wusa plain foo’ fo even thinkin bout goin tonite. We warn’t lookin fo no trouble at all. All me an ole Huck want was some food.
Soon ‘nuff the mornin’ came. I dint sleep threw th’ night. My stomach kept makin’ sounds. No way I was gettin’ any sleep. Huck was up n awake purty soon. He told ole Jim that heda get us a meal fit for even a king. I made Huck promse me he wusn gwyne steal nothin. I tol’ him I wuldnt eat even th’ teeneyst bit o’ food if he done and stole it. I was mighty proud he agreed.
Well Huck went off an’ down the river. I yelld at him to make sure he’d bring back somethin’ good. It seemed like foreva that I wus waitin’ all ‘lone fo’ Huck to come back ‘roun. Somethin’ warn’t settin right with me. Huck had been away much too long. I warn’t quite sure myself what I should do. I couldn’t go look for him. What if Huck was gunna stay in the town an’ leave ole Jim? Naw, Huck wouldna done somethin’ like that. I wus foolish fo even thinkin’ of it. Well me an Huck had been mixed up en dis for this long. I knowed I hadda wait it out fo’ him to come back, an’ if he dint come back, ida go an’ fin’ him myself.
Well, we had been on the river `bout three, four days now and seen the first lights in a while. Me and Jim was mighty happy to reach that town. We hadn't had much good food or clean water for days. It was `bout 11 o'clock I expect when we came to the town, since we only travel at night and all. It was so late I decided I would go into town in the morning to get us something to eat and some more supplies. Less questions to be raised that way then if I showed up as a stranger in a town in the middle of the night. Me and Jim was mighty hungry, but we knowed we'd buy some good food first thing in the morning. We was so tired from being on the raft so long we fell right asleep dreaming of how much better we would make the raft tomorrow.
I awoke startled in the morning. Something wasn't settin' right with me, like I had a bad feeling or somethin'. I figured it was `cause I was so hungry. We didn't know what time it was. It was so cloudy out making it hard to tell and all, but we suspected it might'a been about nine or ten in the mornin'. I told Jim this would be a good time to go ashore and buy us some food; or better yet, find someone to just plain give us some food. I says to Jim:
"I dunno when I'll be back. We needa try n' save our money as best we can. I'm gonna do my best to see if I can get us some food without havin' to buy it. But I won't do no more of pap's borrowin. If I have to pay for it I will. I'm mighty hungry."
I paddled to shore as quick as I could. I tied up the canoe. From the shore I couldn’t even see where me and Jim was hiding, that was a good sign. I walked kinda quickly into town. There were a lot of streets and I didn’t exactly know where to go, it was too busy. There was quite a lot of people around, too and before I knew it I ran right into one of ‘em. Well, as if that weren’t bad enough, to make it all worse, I ran right into pap.
What he was doin’ in that town I might never know. But it was one hell of a coincidence. I warn’t glad to see him. He didn’t say nothin’, not a single word. All he done was grab me by the collar and drag me away. I wasn’t hungry no more. All I could think of was if I’d ever see Jim again.
Jim:
I tell ya I’m mighty proud o’ that Huck. We was on that raft fo’ sumthin’ long ‘fore we came about th’ next town. That chile never complained, not even once. I even found ole Jim to be havin’ an awful hard time settin on that raft fo’ so long. Me and Huck was so excited to see them shinin’ lights that night. We was gwyne have Huck go aroun’ the town t’nigh, but Huck mighta became too much noticed. Huck says I wusa plain foo’ fo even thinkin bout goin tonite. We warn’t lookin fo no trouble at all. All me an ole Huck want was some food.
Soon ‘nuff the mornin’ came. I dint sleep threw th’ night. My stomach kept makin’ sounds. No way I was gettin’ any sleep. Huck was up n awake purty soon. He told ole Jim that heda get us a meal fit for even a king. I made Huck promse me he wusn gwyne steal nothin. I tol’ him I wuldnt eat even th’ teeneyst bit o’ food if he done and stole it. I was mighty proud he agreed.
Well Huck went off an’ down the river. I yelld at him to make sure he’d bring back somethin’ good. It seemed like foreva that I wus waitin’ all ‘lone fo’ Huck to come back ‘roun. Somethin’ warn’t settin right with me. Huck had been away much too long. I warn’t quite sure myself what I should do. I couldn’t go look for him. What if Huck was gunna stay in the town an’ leave ole Jim? Naw, Huck wouldna done somethin’ like that. I wus foolish fo even thinkin’ of it. Well me an Huck had been mixed up en dis for this long. I knowed I hadda wait it out fo’ him to come back, an’ if he dint come back, ida go an’ fin’ him myself.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Huck Finn 7: pg. 130-157
1.) "Then the preacher begun to preach; and begun in earnest, too"(143).
earnest- with serious intention, purpose, or effort
2.) "mud as black as tar, and nigh about a foot deep in some places"(152).
nigh- nearly; almost
"If I never learnt nothing else out of pap, I learnt that the best way to get along with his kind of people is to let them have their own way"(137).
This is probably the best advice of Pap's that Huck has ever followed. It is not very hard to tell that Huck is not sharing the raft with a real duke and a real king. Huck also recognizes this: "It didn't take me long to make up my mind that these liars warn't no kings nor dukes, at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds"(137). Huck also recognizes that "it would a been a miserable business to have any unfriendliness on the raft"(137). Huck and Jim are stuck on a tiny raft with two strangers blatantly lying by saying they were kings and dukes. Huck did a very calm and rational thing in this situation by going along with Mr. Garrick and Mr. Kean's lie. By doing this, Huck avoids possible confrontation with strangers, which was a very smart move because bringing up their lie could have been dangerous. Pap's advice of letting people be turned out to be very advantageous for Huck to follow.
"'dat's all right, den. I doan' mine one er two kings, but dat's enough. Dis one's powerful drunk, en de duke ain' much better.' I found Jim had been trying to get him to talk French, so he could hear what it was like; but he said he had been in this country so long, and had so much trouble, he'd forgot it"(146).
It is hard to tell if Jim really believes that the duke and king are actually being honest. Huck found out very quickly that they were "just low-down humbugs and frauds"(137). However, Jim did cater to the "king" and "duke" often and as Huck said, Jim even asked the king of France how to speak French. Jim already had an opinion about men speaking different languages; since a Frenchman is a man, he should talk like all other men. This may make Jim seem ignorant or dumb. However, he is nothing of the sort. Jim followed up on what French actually sounds like. This shows his intelligence. Jim is simply uneducated. The fact that he remembers his side of the argument and wants proof that French is actually different than English shows that he is not gullible and easily convinced, he stands behind well formulated opinions.
earnest- with serious intention, purpose, or effort
2.) "mud as black as tar, and nigh about a foot deep in some places"(152).
nigh- nearly; almost
"If I never learnt nothing else out of pap, I learnt that the best way to get along with his kind of people is to let them have their own way"(137).
This is probably the best advice of Pap's that Huck has ever followed. It is not very hard to tell that Huck is not sharing the raft with a real duke and a real king. Huck also recognizes this: "It didn't take me long to make up my mind that these liars warn't no kings nor dukes, at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds"(137). Huck also recognizes that "it would a been a miserable business to have any unfriendliness on the raft"(137). Huck and Jim are stuck on a tiny raft with two strangers blatantly lying by saying they were kings and dukes. Huck did a very calm and rational thing in this situation by going along with Mr. Garrick and Mr. Kean's lie. By doing this, Huck avoids possible confrontation with strangers, which was a very smart move because bringing up their lie could have been dangerous. Pap's advice of letting people be turned out to be very advantageous for Huck to follow.
"'dat's all right, den. I doan' mine one er two kings, but dat's enough. Dis one's powerful drunk, en de duke ain' much better.' I found Jim had been trying to get him to talk French, so he could hear what it was like; but he said he had been in this country so long, and had so much trouble, he'd forgot it"(146).
It is hard to tell if Jim really believes that the duke and king are actually being honest. Huck found out very quickly that they were "just low-down humbugs and frauds"(137). However, Jim did cater to the "king" and "duke" often and as Huck said, Jim even asked the king of France how to speak French. Jim already had an opinion about men speaking different languages; since a Frenchman is a man, he should talk like all other men. This may make Jim seem ignorant or dumb. However, he is nothing of the sort. Jim followed up on what French actually sounds like. This shows his intelligence. Jim is simply uneducated. The fact that he remembers his side of the argument and wants proof that French is actually different than English shows that he is not gullible and easily convinced, he stands behind well formulated opinions.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Huck Finn 4: pg. 89-129
1.) "holding a white handkerchief and a reticule" (113).
reticule- a drawstring handbag or purse
2.) "Then Tom and Bob went to the sideboard where the decanters was, and mixed a glass of bitters and handed it to him"(118).
decanter- a vessel, usually an ornamental glass or bottle used for holding and serving wine, brandy, etc.
"It takes 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. I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd a knowed it would make him feel that way"(98).
Huck played a very mean trick on Jim. Huck and Jim got separated and they were both scared. Jim's "heart wuz mos' broke bekase you wuz los'"(98). Huck tried to convince him that "of course you've [Jim] been dreaming"(97). Jim knew that Huck was lying, and was very hurt by it. Huck didn't really mean to hurt Jim, but he needs to think before he acts. Since Jim and Huck are such good friends, Jim was able to forgive Huck. Jim is black, and during the time it was probably a big step for Huck to apologize to him. This is a sign of the strength of their friendship. Huck was truly sorry for hurting Jim, and learned his lesson.
"Well, then, says I, what's the use you learning to do right, when it's troublesome to do right and it ain't no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same? I was struck. I couldn't answer that. So I reckoned I wouldn't bother no more about it, but after this always do whichever came handiest at the time"(104).
Huck was stuck in a very hard place. At the time, Huck was committing a very serious crime by helping Jim reach freedom. He felt bad about this because "What had poor Miss Watson done to you [Huck], that you could see her nigger go off right under your eyes and never say one single word?"(100). To compensate for his guilt, Huck decided to turn Jim in. However, he is Jim's friend and when he sees Jim's gratefulness, "you's de bes' fren' Jim's ever had; en you's de only fren' ole Jim's got now"(101), he is unsure of what to do. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between right and wrong and here Huck finds himself stuck in one of these troubling situations. His thinking was that doing the right thing is usually harder, and doing wrong is easy but it's still wrong, so both choices are hard. Huck finally decides to simply go with his instinct when another situation like this arises. His decision is the one that most people choose in tough situations. It is hard to decide between right and wrong; sometimes we need to choose what is right in our own hearts, that is always the best decision.
reticule- a drawstring handbag or purse
2.) "Then Tom and Bob went to the sideboard where the decanters was, and mixed a glass of bitters and handed it to him"(118).
decanter- a vessel, usually an ornamental glass or bottle used for holding and serving wine, brandy, etc.
"It takes 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. I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd a knowed it would make him feel that way"(98).
Huck played a very mean trick on Jim. Huck and Jim got separated and they were both scared. Jim's "heart wuz mos' broke bekase you wuz los'"(98). Huck tried to convince him that "of course you've [Jim] been dreaming"(97). Jim knew that Huck was lying, and was very hurt by it. Huck didn't really mean to hurt Jim, but he needs to think before he acts. Since Jim and Huck are such good friends, Jim was able to forgive Huck. Jim is black, and during the time it was probably a big step for Huck to apologize to him. This is a sign of the strength of their friendship. Huck was truly sorry for hurting Jim, and learned his lesson.
"Well, then, says I, what's the use you learning to do right, when it's troublesome to do right and it ain't no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same? I was struck. I couldn't answer that. So I reckoned I wouldn't bother no more about it, but after this always do whichever came handiest at the time"(104).
Huck was stuck in a very hard place. At the time, Huck was committing a very serious crime by helping Jim reach freedom. He felt bad about this because "What had poor Miss Watson done to you [Huck], that you could see her nigger go off right under your eyes and never say one single word?"(100). To compensate for his guilt, Huck decided to turn Jim in. However, he is Jim's friend and when he sees Jim's gratefulness, "you's de bes' fren' Jim's ever had; en you's de only fren' ole Jim's got now"(101), he is unsure of what to do. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between right and wrong and here Huck finds himself stuck in one of these troubling situations. His thinking was that doing the right thing is usually harder, and doing wrong is easy but it's still wrong, so both choices are hard. Huck finally decides to simply go with his instinct when another situation like this arises. His decision is the one that most people choose in tough situations. It is hard to decide between right and wrong; sometimes we need to choose what is right in our own hearts, that is always the best decision.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Huck Finn 3: p. 47-66
1.)"I warn't feeling very brash, there warn't much sand in my craw"(50).
brash- impertinent; impudent; tactless
2.)"Don't you git too peart"(62).
peart- lively, brisk, cheerful
"I reckon the widow or the parson or somebody prayed that this bread would find me, and here it had gone and done it. So there ain't no doubt but there is something in that thing. That is, there's something in it when a body like the widow or the parson prays, but it don't work for me, and I reckon it don't work for only just the right kind"(48).
Huck has good and bad thoughts about prayer. His thoughts about the subject have certainly improved since the beginning of the novel. At first Huck thought that "there ain't nothing in it"(19). However, now that Huck got something to help him in a time of need, his faith is renewed. Although, he still has a ways to go. It is saddening that Huck thinks only the "right kind"(48), of people can pray. He should not think that he is a lesser person than anyone else. Huck needs to realize that anyone can pray and it is not for only special people to do. He is good enough for his prayers to be answered, too.
"Well, I did. I said I wouldn't, and I'll stick to it. Honest injun I will. People would call me a low down Ablitionist and despise me for keeping mum-- but that don't make no difference. I ain't going to tell, and I ain't agoing back there anyways"(53).
Loyalty is very important to Huck. We see this also when he joins Tom Sawyer's band of robbers. In their oath Huck swore to "stick to the band, and never tell any of the secrets"(16). This shows that trust is very important to Huck. He is a good kid and his heart is always in the right place. He seems to value friendship a lot by always accompanying Tom on adventures. Jim also obviously trusts Huck's words because he reveals to Huck that he ran away. Huck is young and naive, but this does not stop him at all from being truthful and valuing honesty.
brash- impertinent; impudent; tactless
2.)"Don't you git too peart"(62).
peart- lively, brisk, cheerful
"I reckon the widow or the parson or somebody prayed that this bread would find me, and here it had gone and done it. So there ain't no doubt but there is something in that thing. That is, there's something in it when a body like the widow or the parson prays, but it don't work for me, and I reckon it don't work for only just the right kind"(48).
Huck has good and bad thoughts about prayer. His thoughts about the subject have certainly improved since the beginning of the novel. At first Huck thought that "there ain't nothing in it"(19). However, now that Huck got something to help him in a time of need, his faith is renewed. Although, he still has a ways to go. It is saddening that Huck thinks only the "right kind"(48), of people can pray. He should not think that he is a lesser person than anyone else. Huck needs to realize that anyone can pray and it is not for only special people to do. He is good enough for his prayers to be answered, too.
"Well, I did. I said I wouldn't, and I'll stick to it. Honest injun I will. People would call me a low down Ablitionist and despise me for keeping mum-- but that don't make no difference. I ain't going to tell, and I ain't agoing back there anyways"(53).
Loyalty is very important to Huck. We see this also when he joins Tom Sawyer's band of robbers. In their oath Huck swore to "stick to the band, and never tell any of the secrets"(16). This shows that trust is very important to Huck. He is a good kid and his heart is always in the right place. He seems to value friendship a lot by always accompanying Tom on adventures. Jim also obviously trusts Huck's words because he reveals to Huck that he ran away. Huck is young and naive, but this does not stop him at all from being truthful and valuing honesty.
Huck Finn 2: 28-46
"The old man made me go to the skiff to fetch the things he had got"(35).
skiff- any of various types of boats small enough for sailing or rowing by one person
"There was a slough or a creek leading out of it on the other side"(43).
slough- an area of soft, muddy ground; swamp or swamplike region
"You're educated, too, they say; can read and write. You think you're better'n your father, now, don't you, because he can't? I'll take it out of you"(29).
Huck's father does not really care for him. He abuses both alcohol and Huck, and mistreats Huck in awful ways. However, when he finds out that Huck has money, he wants to get his son back. Huck's father does not care about Huck at all, only the money: "You git me that money to-morrow-- I want it"(31). Huck's father eventually takes Huck away from the Widow Douglas to live as they used to. Huck's father does not like that Huck is learning how to be more proper in society and being educated. It seems like since Huck's father was not given these opportunities, he feels that Huck should not have them either. This is the opposite of thinking in the world today where most parents want to see their children lead better lives than they did.
Huck is very calm and carefree. These qualities often come from youth. Huck fails to look at what the consequences of his actions will bring before he acts. He planned out his escape, where he will go and all of those types of details. However, he fails to look at the whole picture: What will he do if he runs out of supplies? What if he gets lonely? What will he do when he grows up? What if he gets caught? Although, Huck looks at some details, he is unsuccessful in realizing what running away will truly bring and the impact this decision will have on other people. Again, this is a part of being young. Many young people make careless decisions without thinking them through, and Huck is no different. Experience comes from making mistakes such as these.
skiff- any of various types of boats small enough for sailing or rowing by one person
"There was a slough or a creek leading out of it on the other side"(43).
slough- an area of soft, muddy ground; swamp or swamplike region
"You're educated, too, they say; can read and write. You think you're better'n your father, now, don't you, because he can't? I'll take it out of you"(29).
Huck's father does not really care for him. He abuses both alcohol and Huck, and mistreats Huck in awful ways. However, when he finds out that Huck has money, he wants to get his son back. Huck's father does not care about Huck at all, only the money: "You git me that money to-morrow-- I want it"(31). Huck's father eventually takes Huck away from the Widow Douglas to live as they used to. Huck's father does not like that Huck is learning how to be more proper in society and being educated. It seems like since Huck's father was not given these opportunities, he feels that Huck should not have them either. This is the opposite of thinking in the world today where most parents want to see their children lead better lives than they did.
Huck is very calm and carefree. These qualities often come from youth. Huck fails to look at what the consequences of his actions will bring before he acts. He planned out his escape, where he will go and all of those types of details. However, he fails to look at the whole picture: What will he do if he runs out of supplies? What if he gets lonely? What will he do when he grows up? What if he gets caught? Although, Huck looks at some details, he is unsuccessful in realizing what running away will truly bring and the impact this decision will have on other people. Again, this is a part of being young. Many young people make careless decisions without thinking them through, and Huck is no different. Experience comes from making mistakes such as these.
Huck Finn 1: p. 9-27
"and so we would lay in ambuscade"(21).
ambuscade- ambush
"I went down the front garden and clumb over the stile, where you go through the high board fence"(25).
stile- a series of steps or rungs by which a person may pass over a wall or fence that remains a barrier to sheep or cattle
"This was too many for me, but she told me what she meant-- I must help other people, and do everything I could for other people, and look out for them all the time, and never think about myself. This was including Miss Watson, as I took it. I went on in the woods and turned it over in my mind a long time, but I couldn't see no advantage about it-- except for the other people-- so at last I reckoned I wouldn't worry about it anymore, but just let it go"(19).
Miss Watson seems like a very nice woman. She genuinely cares for Huck and wants him to be a good person. She understands Huck is only a kid, but she wants him to be brought up right and think clearly. She tries to teach him her values. However, since Huck is only about 11, his first priority isn't learning about morals. Miss Watson has the right idea of putting other people first, and Huck doesn't agree with it. However, most 11 year old's wouldn't agree with that statement. How can helping other people benefit yourself? This is the way Huck views Miss Watson's lesson. Even though Huck says this, he is only saying it because he does not fully understand it. In fact, it would seem that he does enjoy helping others because he joins Tom Sawyer's band of robbers who all promise to always stick together. Huck is not a bad kid at all, he is simply young; his heart is in the right place, even if his head is not quite there yet.
"Shucks, it ain't no use to talk to you, Huck Finn. You don't seem to know anything, somehow-- perfect sap-head"(22).
This quote lends insight to both Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. Tom is a leader and has no problem telling others what to do. He is the founder of his very own gang of robbers, which Huck is a part of. Tom reads a lot. He is very smart and has a great imagination. Huck on the other hand, is not very smart because he was not raised in an environment that allowed him to learn. Therefore, he has his own philosophies about life and finds societal ones strange sometimes. However, both boys are good people and value the same things. It seems to be a case where opposites attract.
ambuscade- ambush
"I went down the front garden and clumb over the stile, where you go through the high board fence"(25).
stile- a series of steps or rungs by which a person may pass over a wall or fence that remains a barrier to sheep or cattle
"This was too many for me, but she told me what she meant-- I must help other people, and do everything I could for other people, and look out for them all the time, and never think about myself. This was including Miss Watson, as I took it. I went on in the woods and turned it over in my mind a long time, but I couldn't see no advantage about it-- except for the other people-- so at last I reckoned I wouldn't worry about it anymore, but just let it go"(19).
Miss Watson seems like a very nice woman. She genuinely cares for Huck and wants him to be a good person. She understands Huck is only a kid, but she wants him to be brought up right and think clearly. She tries to teach him her values. However, since Huck is only about 11, his first priority isn't learning about morals. Miss Watson has the right idea of putting other people first, and Huck doesn't agree with it. However, most 11 year old's wouldn't agree with that statement. How can helping other people benefit yourself? This is the way Huck views Miss Watson's lesson. Even though Huck says this, he is only saying it because he does not fully understand it. In fact, it would seem that he does enjoy helping others because he joins Tom Sawyer's band of robbers who all promise to always stick together. Huck is not a bad kid at all, he is simply young; his heart is in the right place, even if his head is not quite there yet.
"Shucks, it ain't no use to talk to you, Huck Finn. You don't seem to know anything, somehow-- perfect sap-head"(22).
This quote lends insight to both Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. Tom is a leader and has no problem telling others what to do. He is the founder of his very own gang of robbers, which Huck is a part of. Tom reads a lot. He is very smart and has a great imagination. Huck on the other hand, is not very smart because he was not raised in an environment that allowed him to learn. Therefore, he has his own philosophies about life and finds societal ones strange sometimes. However, both boys are good people and value the same things. It seems to be a case where opposites attract.
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