Hannah McCaffrey
English: F- Mr. George
April 16, 2009
Pride and Prejudice Essay
In it’s most simplistic terms, marriage is a vow between a man and a woman to remain committed to each other forever. There are several marital motives that differ from one person, or couple, to the next. Incentives for marriage can include personal gain, mutual comfort, or pure, everlasting happiness. Although there is not a sole basis of marriage, a marriage for the sake of pure love is undoubtably the most favorable. The novel Pride and Prejudice is proof of love’s triumph over marrying for personal gain or practicality.
A mercenary marriage is a match made for monetary gains and other personal rewards. Mrs. Bennet is very closely connected with mercenary marriages. Mrs. Bennet’s character can be summed up in a single sentence: "The business of her life was to get her daughters married"(7 Austen). Mrs. Bennet’s singular goal in life was to marry her daughters off to rich men. When Elizabeth explained to her mother the great happiness she felt in marrying Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Bennet changed her dislike of Darcy: "how rich and how great you will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! Jane’s is nothing to it–nothing at all. I am so pleased–so happy! Such a charming man!"(365). Mrs. Bennet does not care if her daughters are happy. She feels that as long as her daughters are taken care of financially that is all they need. Mrs. Bennet is very wrong following this way of thinking. However, she is not the only one who is an example of advocating for mercenary marriages.
Mrs. Bennet is very vocal with her feelings about marital advantages. George Wickham’s actions take the ideas Mrs. Bennet has about mercenary marriage and take them to a new extreme. In fact, Wickham is the exemplification of a person entering a mercenary marriage. Wickham’s first attempt at marriage, is pursuing Miss King. Wickham "paid her not the smallest attention till her grandfather’s death made her mistress of this fortune"(153). In addition to his pursuit of marrying for monetary purposes, Wickham also sought Mr. Darcy’s sister, fifteen year old Georgiana, "she was persuaded to believe herself in love, and to consent to an elopement"(199). Wickham would have selfishly shattered Georgiana’s noble reputation, as well as the Darcy name, for more money and a higher status. Not only did Wickham think of being this selfish, in a later situation, he actually acted upon these thoughts. Wickham ran away with Lydia Bennet before the pair was married. Mr. Gardiner found out that at first Wickham and Lydia were "not married, nor can I find there was any intention of being so"(292). Wickham merely wanted to use Lydia. However, Mr. Darcy saved the Bennet family from a huge disgrace by paying Wickham to marry Lydia.
Had it not been for money, Lydia and Wickham would have never been married. Wickham did not want to marry Lydia, all he wanted was money. His debts may be paid and his job may be secured, but he will never be truly happy. Not having financial worries does not bring complete happiness to a marriage. Having money in a marriage does not give the sense of complete satisfaction that can only come with being in love.
Another motive of marriage that does not have the most favorable outcome is a prudential marriage. Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins both entered into a prudential marriage. Their marriage was a smart match that benefitted both of them. However, they are not in love. Mr. Collins never intended on marrying based on love. Before proposing to Charlotte, Mr. Collins proposed to Elizabeth Bennet, "he set about it in a very orderly manner, with all the observances, which he supposed a regular part of the business"(104). He has three reasons he uses to persuade Elizabeth that they will be a smart match: "to set the example of matrimony in his parish [...] add very greatly to my happiness [...] recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness"(105). He does not love Lizzy. Mr. Collins believes they will have a good marriage even if they are not in love. His proposal demonstrates no passion. There is only logical reasons for the possibility of their marriage.
Mr. Collins continued his path of a logical, prudent marriage when he and Charlotte Lucas became engaged. Charlotte was also looking for a prudent marriage. Charlotte claimed that "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance"(24). She believed a couple can be completely in love, but "it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation"(24). Charlotte always went "Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object: it was the only honourable provision for well educated young women of small fortune [...] however uncertain of given happiness"(122). "Miss Lucas [...] accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained"(122). Charlotte wants to get married because she knows it will be beneficial to her. She hopes that she will find happiness in that marriage but she believes that a prudent marriage will give her a better chance at happiness than a marriage based on love.
The intent that Mr. Collins and Charlotte have for their marriage is not one of unyielding happiness. It is a marriage based off of logic and common sense. They are well suited for one another, and the marriage will benefit both of them. Prudence may bring contentment and satisfaction, but it will always lack the completeness that only a love marriage has.
Although couples get married for mercenary and prudent reasons, marrying for love is the necessary factor in a marriage that will create perpetual happiness. Both of the marriages between Jane Bennet and Charles Bingly, and Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, were based upon true love. After Jane’s engagement she expresses her felicity: "I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed! [...] If I could but see you as happy!"(339). Bingly and Jane’s marriage also encompasses prudence, making them a great match. They are deeply in love, "and in spite of his being a lover, Elizabeth really believed all his expectations of felicity to be rationally founded, because they had for basis the excellent understanding, and superior-excellent disposition of Jane"(336). Bingly and Jane are in love, and their marriage makes sense. Two people suited for each other in love make a very happy match.
Love has offered Jane such an elation that she wants her beloved sister to feel the same amount of joy: "And do you really love him quite well enough? Oh, Lizzy, do any thing rather than marry without affection"(361). Mr. Bennet also supports Jane’s plights to ensure that Lizzy will marry for love: "But will they make you happy? [...] Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage. You could scarcely escape discredit and misery. My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life"(364).
Jane knows the happiness love brings and she wants to share it with her sister. Mr. Bennet married Mrs. Bennet out of mercenary motives: "captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good-humor which youth and beauty generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had ver early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her"(231). Mr. Bennet’s situation makes him want better for his favorite daughter. Both Jane and Mr. Bennet realize that love is the most important motive for marriage. Their initial caution of Mr. Darcy is only spurred by want of Elizabeth to enter into a marriage with love, and to be in the happiest situation possible.
Although it took her a while to realize her love for Darcy, "her sentiments had undergone so material a change"(354), since he first proposed to her, she now found herself completely in love with him. Darcy shared Elizabeth’s adoration and when she agreed to marry him "The happiness which this reply produced was such as he had probably never felt before"(354). Darcy gave up everything for even a chance at marrying Elizabeth. He overcame "His sense of her inferiority, of its being a Despite society’s rigid class structure of this time, Darcy was able to overcome every negative about Elizabeth, and ask for her hand in marriage anyway. After her rejection, Darcy was willing to change for someone of a lower class: "You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled"(357). Darcy endured countless hardships all for his love of Elizabeth.
The challenges that faced Darcy and Elizabeth’s path to a loving marriage were hard to overcome. However, their struggles made them stronger. Having to work to be together makes the end result of being together in love, if possible, even more worth it. Darcy’s endurance shows that true love is worth any price. Money cannot buy happiness in a marriage. Prudence does not leave the partners of a marriage completely fulfilled. Having true love is the single most extraordinary element in a marriage, and having to struggle to be with a loved one makes being together in the end even greater.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Lady Catherine Analysis
Lady Catherine de Bourgh exemplifies the class system of the 1800s by haughtily holding herself above others, demanding that she always be right, and getting what she wants from others, regardless of what they think. Lady Catherine is selfish and very rude to others. She states exactly what is on her mind "in so authoritative a tone"(162), "delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner as proved that she was not used to have her judgement controverted"(163). No one stood up to Lady Catherine’s inconsiderate remarks "and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence"(165). Lady Catherine believes she has the right to control others around her simply because of her high social status. She believes in the class system of their age and tries to deter Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s engagement. She is a firm supporter of how Mr. Darcy was brought up: "to be selfish and over bearing, to care for none beyond my own family circle, to think meanly of the rest of the world"(357). Lady Catherine’s supercilious manner causes her to constantly belittle others through emphasizing her importance because of her social status.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh is very comparable to a cat. Cats are either too dumb or too smart to listen to their owners, but either way, just like Lady Catherine, they answer to no one. Lady Catherine feels that she is the only one who has reached the highest peak of social stature, just as cats stand alone. She does not care at all what others think, like how cats don't care what their owners have to say. Both are solitary and disconnected from others.
Lady Catherine is like Kanye West because both are either hated or adored because of their self-proclaimed greatness.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh is very comparable to a cat. Cats are either too dumb or too smart to listen to their owners, but either way, just like Lady Catherine, they answer to no one. Lady Catherine feels that she is the only one who has reached the highest peak of social stature, just as cats stand alone. She does not care at all what others think, like how cats don't care what their owners have to say. Both are solitary and disconnected from others.
Lady Catherine is like Kanye West because both are either hated or adored because of their self-proclaimed greatness.
Lydia Analysis
Lydia is a lascivious hussy, ignorant to the feelings of others around her, and selfishly only cares about her immature impulses. Throughout the entire novel, Lydia was completely obsessed with ideally obtaining a handsome, rich officer for a husband. When the militia leaves Meryton, Lydia begs her father to follow them to Brighton. Elizabeth pleads with her father not to let Lydia go because she knows it will only cause trouble: "Her character will be fixed; and she will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous. A flirt, too, in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation"(226). It is plainly obvious how focused Lydia is on chasing men as Miss Bingley painfully hints to Elizabeth: "are not the ----shire militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family"(262). Just as Elizabeth predicted, Lydia’s relentless quest of male attention led her down the wrong path. Lydia ran away with Wickham, only marrying him because of Mr. Darcy’s help. Her selfish actions gave her a very bad reputation and could have done the same for her entire family as Mr. Collins pointed out, "who [...] will connect themselves with such a family"(287), that has a daughter as indecent as Lydia. Lydia’s selfishness rubbed off on Kitty which became clear when "removed from the influence of Lydia’s example, she became [...] less irritable, less ignorant, and less insipid"(372). Putting her own lustful and selfish desires before her family’s needs and feelings shows how idiotic and inconsiderate Lydia really is.
Lydia is like a horrible referee. She makes the same amount of bad decisions as a referee can make in a single game. Just as a referee can be completely ruthless and inconsiderate of a team or a player, Lydia acts the same way toward her family. Similar to the way no one can get through to Lydia, it is impossible to sway a referee’s decisions. However, there is one glaring similarity between Lydia and a bad referee: neither of them have any common sense.
Today, Lydia is comparable to Britney Spears. Both of them are irrational hussies who disregard what other’s think, and get married impulsively.
Lydia is like a horrible referee. She makes the same amount of bad decisions as a referee can make in a single game. Just as a referee can be completely ruthless and inconsiderate of a team or a player, Lydia acts the same way toward her family. Similar to the way no one can get through to Lydia, it is impossible to sway a referee’s decisions. However, there is one glaring similarity between Lydia and a bad referee: neither of them have any common sense.
Today, Lydia is comparable to Britney Spears. Both of them are irrational hussies who disregard what other’s think, and get married impulsively.
Pride and Prejudice 15: Ch 16-End.
"And do you really love him quite well enough? Oh, Lizzy, do any thing rather than marry without affection"(361).
Jane is marrying Mr. Bingley because they are in love. Bingley and Jane have endured a lot before they reached their engagement. Going through the hard times, being apart from each other and unsure of each other's feelings makes their being together that much better. Jane knows what it is like to be in love and she does not want Elizabeth in a mercenary marriage where she does not love her husband. Mr. Bennet supports Jane's hopes of Elizabeth marrying for love: "you could be neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband"(364). If Elizabeth did not love her husband she would not be happy, and her husband would not be either. Elizabeth speaks her mind, and when she did not love Mr. Darcy she was extremely disrespectful of him. If she planned on marrying him purely for mercenary means she would have been stuck with a man whom she detested and he would have been with a wife who disrespected him. Jane and Mr. Bennet both love Elizabeth very much and want her to be sure of her decision to marry Mr. Darcy so she can live with both comfort and happiness, not just practicality.
Mrs. Bennet's reaction to Lizzy's news of the engagement, Mrs. Bennet:
a.) seeing her daughters so happy made "her a sensible, amiable, well-informed woman"(372).
b.) had thoughts of "how rich and great" (365), Lizzy will become
c.) was simply "unable to utter a syllable"(365).
d.) "was extremely indignant on the marriage"(375).
Jane is marrying Mr. Bingley because they are in love. Bingley and Jane have endured a lot before they reached their engagement. Going through the hard times, being apart from each other and unsure of each other's feelings makes their being together that much better. Jane knows what it is like to be in love and she does not want Elizabeth in a mercenary marriage where she does not love her husband. Mr. Bennet supports Jane's hopes of Elizabeth marrying for love: "you could be neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband"(364). If Elizabeth did not love her husband she would not be happy, and her husband would not be either. Elizabeth speaks her mind, and when she did not love Mr. Darcy she was extremely disrespectful of him. If she planned on marrying him purely for mercenary means she would have been stuck with a man whom she detested and he would have been with a wife who disrespected him. Jane and Mr. Bennet both love Elizabeth very much and want her to be sure of her decision to marry Mr. Darcy so she can live with both comfort and happiness, not just practicality.
Mrs. Bennet's reaction to Lizzy's news of the engagement, Mrs. Bennet:
a.) seeing her daughters so happy made "her a sensible, amiable, well-informed woman"(372).
b.) had thoughts of "how rich and great" (365), Lizzy will become
c.) was simply "unable to utter a syllable"(365).
d.) "was extremely indignant on the marriage"(375).
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Pride and Prejudice 13: Ch. 10-12
"Her mother's ungraciousness made the sense of what they owed him more painful to Elizabeth's mind; and she would, at times, have given any thing to be privileged to tell him, that his kindness was neither unknown nor unfelt by the whole of the family"(329).
Mr. Darcy fell in love with Elizabeth However, Darcy was hesitant to confess his love because "His sense of her inferiority, of its being a degradation, of the family obstacles which judgement had always opposed to inclination"(188), prevented him from acting upon his feelings. Although, he felt an "attachment which, in spite of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer"(188). Despite Elizabeth's social status and embarrassing family, Darcy proposed to her anyway only to be rejected by her in a cold and uncivil manner: "It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you"(189). At first Elizabeth blamed him for tearing apart Jane and Mr. Bingly, and being unfairly cruel toward her family. However, as time went on, Elizabeth learned of the true characteristics of Mr. Darcy. When Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle met Mr. Darcy, he cordially welcomed them into his home. In addition to this unexpected kindness, Mr. Darcy was the one who found Lydia and Mr. Wickham, and convinced them to be married. Elizabeth could undoutably see how great of a man that Mr. Darcy was, and regretted letting him go. She saw his kindness and his generosity and felt unconditionally thankful toward him. She wanted to share her thanks with him but the only attention that Mr. Darcy received was uncivility and rudeness from Mrs. Bennet.
Mrs. Gardiner expresses in her letter that Mr. Darcy's only fault is that he is:
a.) Insolent
b.) Haughty
c.) Obstinate
d.) Pretentious
Mr. Darcy fell in love with Elizabeth However, Darcy was hesitant to confess his love because "His sense of her inferiority, of its being a degradation, of the family obstacles which judgement had always opposed to inclination"(188), prevented him from acting upon his feelings. Although, he felt an "attachment which, in spite of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer"(188). Despite Elizabeth's social status and embarrassing family, Darcy proposed to her anyway only to be rejected by her in a cold and uncivil manner: "It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you"(189). At first Elizabeth blamed him for tearing apart Jane and Mr. Bingly, and being unfairly cruel toward her family. However, as time went on, Elizabeth learned of the true characteristics of Mr. Darcy. When Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle met Mr. Darcy, he cordially welcomed them into his home. In addition to this unexpected kindness, Mr. Darcy was the one who found Lydia and Mr. Wickham, and convinced them to be married. Elizabeth could undoutably see how great of a man that Mr. Darcy was, and regretted letting him go. She saw his kindness and his generosity and felt unconditionally thankful toward him. She wanted to share her thanks with him but the only attention that Mr. Darcy received was uncivility and rudeness from Mrs. Bennet.
Mrs. Gardiner expresses in her letter that Mr. Darcy's only fault is that he is:
a.) Insolent
b.) Haughty
c.) Obstinate
d.) Pretentious
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Pride and Prejudice 11: Ch. 3-6
"and as for her eyes, which have sometimes been called so fine, I never could perceive anything extraordinary in them. They have a sharp, shrewish look,which I do not like at all; and in her air altogether, there is a self-sufficiency without fashion, which is intolerable"(264).
Miss Bingly absolutely cannot stand Elizabeth Bennet. She is shallow and superficial. Miss Bingly is extremely rude to Elizabeth because she is threatened by her relationship with Mr. Darcy, who Miss Bingly is infatuated with. Miss Bingly constantly tears down Elizabeth Bennet in hopes to build herself up while speaking to Mr. Darcy on numerous occasions. However, Mr. Darcy is an extremely smart man and it is clear that Miss Bingly is lacking depth. She is well brought up with good manners and can be agreeable. She may be knowledgeable from books, however, she lacks the natural intelligence and wittiness that Elizabeth possesses. Elizabeth's wit is exactly what Mr. Darcy falls in love with. He is a naturally smart man and recognizes Elizabeth's intelligence through a look that she has in her eyes: "My mind was more agreeable engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow"(28). Mr. Darcy thinks her eyes are beautiful because he sees the depth they have behind them. Miss Bingly is unable to see the beauty in Elizabeth's eyes because she does not have the inner beauty which Elizabeth possesses. She cannot comprehend Elizabeth's confidence that does not stem from good fashion because she herself cannot rely on her own thoughts.
Miss Bingly absolutely cannot stand Elizabeth Bennet. She is shallow and superficial. Miss Bingly is extremely rude to Elizabeth because she is threatened by her relationship with Mr. Darcy, who Miss Bingly is infatuated with. Miss Bingly constantly tears down Elizabeth Bennet in hopes to build herself up while speaking to Mr. Darcy on numerous occasions. However, Mr. Darcy is an extremely smart man and it is clear that Miss Bingly is lacking depth. She is well brought up with good manners and can be agreeable. She may be knowledgeable from books, however, she lacks the natural intelligence and wittiness that Elizabeth possesses. Elizabeth's wit is exactly what Mr. Darcy falls in love with. He is a naturally smart man and recognizes Elizabeth's intelligence through a look that she has in her eyes: "My mind was more agreeable engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow"(28). Mr. Darcy thinks her eyes are beautiful because he sees the depth they have behind them. Miss Bingly is unable to see the beauty in Elizabeth's eyes because she does not have the inner beauty which Elizabeth possesses. She cannot comprehend Elizabeth's confidence that does not stem from good fashion because she herself cannot rely on her own thoughts.
Huck Finn Essay
There are countless differences between our society today and that of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in the 1800s. One of the major discrepancies is the feeling toward slavery. Completely unlike our society today, Huck’s society found slavery and the mistreatment of blacks to be a commonality. Modern times allow us to take a step back and see the wrongs of slavery. Most people of this time did not have this advantage because they grew up with this injustice. However, Huck grew up uncivilized. This gave Huck the disadvantage of being unsure or how to act in civilized society. Although, it also presented him with the even more important advantage of being able to make his own moral decisions.
Huck was faced with the moral dilemma of how he felt Jim should be treated versus how society dictated Jim should be treated during this period in history. During the mid-1800s, society condoned slavery, and viewed blacks as being less than human. Huck, who did not grow up among civilized society, was able to view Jim as not just a person, but as his friend. At first, Huck held conflicting views about what his gut told him about Jim, and how he was supposed to act toward Jim. Shortly into their journey down the Mississippi, Huck realized his actions; he was helping a runaway slave, a very serious crime. Huck felt guilty, and unsure of whether or not to turn Jim in because he felt that he should for Miss Watson’s sake. However, Jim told Huck that he was "de bes’ fren’ Jim’s ever had; en you’s [Huck] de only fren’ ole Jim’s got now"(101Twain). This made Huck realize that he and Jim actually were friends. Huck did not turn Jim in and became "de on’y white genlman dat ever kep’ his promise to ole Jim"(102).
Huck faced this same conflict when Jim was sold into slavery by the king and the duke. Huck felt that he should once again tell Miss Watson where her slave was. He thought that Miss Watson deserved to know, and that it would make him free of leading a sinful life. However, Huck "couldn’t seem to strike no places to harden me [Huck] against him [Jim], but any other kind"(227). Even though Huck was taught that what he was doing was wrong, he could not help but to follow the feeling inside of him that told him what he was doing was right.
Huck always chooses to go against the normalcy of society during the 1800s by choosing to stand by Jim. Society today would view Huck’s choices as noble and loyal. However, in Huck’s time his actions would have been seen as despicable. People today are being brought up in a time when it is known how awful slavery and its effects are, are therefore able to clearly see how wrong it is. However, those people brought up in the 1800s were unable to step outside of their own society to see what was wrong with it. The errors of their ways went unnoticed because no one was able to break out of their corrupted society. Since there was no one to analyze how awful slavery was in common society during this time period, there were no changes. People needed to be judged objectively on their actions, but everyone being brought up in the same environment in a world of slavery made it impossible to gain an impartial stance on the subject.
Although it is impossible to completely remove oneself from the effects of society during this, or any time, Huck Finn came very close to stepping outside of the society he was trapped in. Huck grew up in the wilderness with Pap as his only influence. Miss Watson began to teach Huck the ways of being "sivilized, as they called it"(35). Huck learned the ways of civilized society quickly. However, the ideas that Huck gained from society did not solely make up his attitude toward moral decision making, unlike the singularly formed attitudes of people who grew up in civilized society. This combination of sources for Huck’s moral compass sometimes caused Huck confusion. Although he might not have been able to express it, he did not fully agree with the ideas of either Pap or society.
Huck almost always makes the right decision according to today’s moral standards. Huck always stood by Jim and did the right by thing according to modern times. In the society Huck is living in, the actions that Huck believes to be right are wrong. However, Huck selflessly goes against the grain and sticks to how he feels. He prefers not to distinguish between good and bad: "I wouldn’t bother no more about it, but after this always do whichever come handiest at the time"(104), and according to the popular views of the 1800s, is willing to "go to hell"(228), for standing by Jim.
Huck was able to remove himself from society and clearly see what was right. He offered an objective view and saw how Jim really should be treated. Huck viewed Jim both as an equal person, and as a friend. Huck recognized Jim as a person who possessed feelings: "I do believe he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their’n. It don’t seem natural, but I reckon it’s so"(167). At first, Huck did not believe Jim’s complex emotions seemed natural because of the dehumanizing effect society had on blacks at the time, but deep down he knew it was true because he was able to step back and question societal ideas. Huck’s wild nature allowed him to use the clear vision he needed to see the value in Jim’s friendship.
Tom Sawyer is a prime example of the great impact society had on the public in the 19th century. Tom Sawyer was brought up in the completely opposite way of Huck Finn. Tom grew up in civilized society his entire life. Tom did everything by the book, just as society expected him to: "ain’t no other way, that ever I heard of, and I’ve read all the books that gives any information about these things"(257). He also found nothing wrong with his treatment of Jim. Tom knew Jim was free the entire time and selfishly went on with his charade for his own amusement. After all he put Jim through he merely gave "Jim forty dollars for being prisoner for us so patient, and doing it up so good"(306). Society taught Tom to follow the rules and that he was a human being of higher quality than Jim simply because he was white. Tom’s societal upbringing made him respected in his society socially, but nowadays he would be loathed for such actions.
Huck Finn’s upbringing was a blessing in disguise; it allowed him to be able to break out of the corrupted society that the world was stuck in during the 1800s. Huck was not born into this type of society, making it easier to question and escape its views. Huck used a mix of resources to formulate his own conscience and ways of making moral decisions. Therefore, he was able to see the true worth in all people, not just the price society valued them at.
Huck was faced with the moral dilemma of how he felt Jim should be treated versus how society dictated Jim should be treated during this period in history. During the mid-1800s, society condoned slavery, and viewed blacks as being less than human. Huck, who did not grow up among civilized society, was able to view Jim as not just a person, but as his friend. At first, Huck held conflicting views about what his gut told him about Jim, and how he was supposed to act toward Jim. Shortly into their journey down the Mississippi, Huck realized his actions; he was helping a runaway slave, a very serious crime. Huck felt guilty, and unsure of whether or not to turn Jim in because he felt that he should for Miss Watson’s sake. However, Jim told Huck that he was "de bes’ fren’ Jim’s ever had; en you’s [Huck] de only fren’ ole Jim’s got now"(101Twain). This made Huck realize that he and Jim actually were friends. Huck did not turn Jim in and became "de on’y white genlman dat ever kep’ his promise to ole Jim"(102).
Huck faced this same conflict when Jim was sold into slavery by the king and the duke. Huck felt that he should once again tell Miss Watson where her slave was. He thought that Miss Watson deserved to know, and that it would make him free of leading a sinful life. However, Huck "couldn’t seem to strike no places to harden me [Huck] against him [Jim], but any other kind"(227). Even though Huck was taught that what he was doing was wrong, he could not help but to follow the feeling inside of him that told him what he was doing was right.
Huck always chooses to go against the normalcy of society during the 1800s by choosing to stand by Jim. Society today would view Huck’s choices as noble and loyal. However, in Huck’s time his actions would have been seen as despicable. People today are being brought up in a time when it is known how awful slavery and its effects are, are therefore able to clearly see how wrong it is. However, those people brought up in the 1800s were unable to step outside of their own society to see what was wrong with it. The errors of their ways went unnoticed because no one was able to break out of their corrupted society. Since there was no one to analyze how awful slavery was in common society during this time period, there were no changes. People needed to be judged objectively on their actions, but everyone being brought up in the same environment in a world of slavery made it impossible to gain an impartial stance on the subject.
Although it is impossible to completely remove oneself from the effects of society during this, or any time, Huck Finn came very close to stepping outside of the society he was trapped in. Huck grew up in the wilderness with Pap as his only influence. Miss Watson began to teach Huck the ways of being "sivilized, as they called it"(35). Huck learned the ways of civilized society quickly. However, the ideas that Huck gained from society did not solely make up his attitude toward moral decision making, unlike the singularly formed attitudes of people who grew up in civilized society. This combination of sources for Huck’s moral compass sometimes caused Huck confusion. Although he might not have been able to express it, he did not fully agree with the ideas of either Pap or society.
Huck almost always makes the right decision according to today’s moral standards. Huck always stood by Jim and did the right by thing according to modern times. In the society Huck is living in, the actions that Huck believes to be right are wrong. However, Huck selflessly goes against the grain and sticks to how he feels. He prefers not to distinguish between good and bad: "I wouldn’t bother no more about it, but after this always do whichever come handiest at the time"(104), and according to the popular views of the 1800s, is willing to "go to hell"(228), for standing by Jim.
Huck was able to remove himself from society and clearly see what was right. He offered an objective view and saw how Jim really should be treated. Huck viewed Jim both as an equal person, and as a friend. Huck recognized Jim as a person who possessed feelings: "I do believe he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their’n. It don’t seem natural, but I reckon it’s so"(167). At first, Huck did not believe Jim’s complex emotions seemed natural because of the dehumanizing effect society had on blacks at the time, but deep down he knew it was true because he was able to step back and question societal ideas. Huck’s wild nature allowed him to use the clear vision he needed to see the value in Jim’s friendship.
Tom Sawyer is a prime example of the great impact society had on the public in the 19th century. Tom Sawyer was brought up in the completely opposite way of Huck Finn. Tom grew up in civilized society his entire life. Tom did everything by the book, just as society expected him to: "ain’t no other way, that ever I heard of, and I’ve read all the books that gives any information about these things"(257). He also found nothing wrong with his treatment of Jim. Tom knew Jim was free the entire time and selfishly went on with his charade for his own amusement. After all he put Jim through he merely gave "Jim forty dollars for being prisoner for us so patient, and doing it up so good"(306). Society taught Tom to follow the rules and that he was a human being of higher quality than Jim simply because he was white. Tom’s societal upbringing made him respected in his society socially, but nowadays he would be loathed for such actions.
Huck Finn’s upbringing was a blessing in disguise; it allowed him to be able to break out of the corrupted society that the world was stuck in during the 1800s. Huck was not born into this type of society, making it easier to question and escape its views. Huck used a mix of resources to formulate his own conscience and ways of making moral decisions. Therefore, he was able to see the true worth in all people, not just the price society valued them at.
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