Huck Finn Blog Post 3

     When Huck encounters the Grangerford family, the family shows many allusions to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The dispute between the Shepherdsons and Grangerfords is a humorous allusion. The family feud very much resembles the dispute between the Montagues and the Capulets. Similar to the two families in the book Romeo and Juliet, Shepherdson and Grangerford families have forgotten what they are fighting over. “…but they don’t know now what the row was about in the first place” (Twain 309). This quote strengthens the point of not knowing the reason behind the fighting of the families. The feud has been running for so long, that generations have grown up with the idea that the opposing family is very much an enemy. There has not been to assume a leadership position and try to resolve this dispute peacefully.
    Another allusion to Romeo and Juliet is when Sophia Grangerford runs off with Harney Sheperdson. This resembles the taboo of Romeo and Juliet, the offspring of the two disputing families who fall in love and defy the rules made by their own families. “Well, den Miss Sophia’s run off! ‘deed she has. She run off in de night some time-nobody don’t know jis’ when; run off to get married to dat young Harney Shepherdson…” (317) These two characters have to meet secretly because their love is forbidden, just as in Romeo and Juliet. The love between them could possibly bring together the two families but because of the strict parents, they are to afraid to share their love for each other with anyone else. The children are not doing this to be rebellious. Many children who grow up in such strict household would go and marry someone out of spite for the parents’ rules. These two characters in both book are truly in love with each other.
     The death of two of the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons is a sad allusion to the deaths of many Capulets and Montagues in the play Romeo and Juliet. The Grangerford and Shepherdson families are hurting each other to win a feud with no ending. “Well, then, what did you want to kill him for?” “Why, nothing-only its on account of the feud” (308). The deaths are also sad because there is no reason behind them. The Shepherdson and Grangerford children have not done anything to each other. The children go out and kill each other because that was what they were told to do as they were growing up. Many have died and it makes both families lives difficult. Nobody can leave their house without a weapon. Together they go to church and both fathers and many sons sit with riffles between their legs to protect themselves. This resembles the difficulty of life between the Capulet and Montague “gangs”. They could not leave a home unprotected for fear that if they did they would be killed for just a mere walk around town.

Huck Finn Blog Post 2

   Throughout the story, Huck and Jim form a very strong relationship. This connection very much resembles a father son bond. During the time frame of this story, society frowned upon this friendship because Jim is an escape slave and Huck is a runaway white boy. “Jim, this is nice,” I says. “I wouldn’t want to be nowhere else but here” (Twain 159). This quotes exemplifies the relationship between the two characters. It shows that Huck enjoys spending time with Jim. Furthermore, they like each others’ company which is very much the way fathers and sons act when two people care about each other and have common interests. . In Chapter 12, Jim and Huck spend time fishing and sharing time outdoors. The activities they were engaged in are very much what young boys around Huck’s age do when they are able to spend quality time with their father. Without a strong father in the picture, it is very positive for Huck to allow Jim to take the role of a father in his life.
      While the adventures of Jim and Huck continue, Jim shows a very protective and sheltering demeanor over Huck. “Come in, Huck, but doan’ look at his face-it’s too gashly”(161). After they come across the dead body in the float away house, Jim wants Huck to stay away because of the atrocious sight. At this point in the story the fatherly instincts Jim has begin to show. Fathers do all they can to protect their children and he is striving to do all he can to keep Huck out of harm’s way. Jims also attempts to teach Huck new things that will eventually help him as he grows and matures. He tells him about good and proper morals as they come across the floating house and the abandoned boat. Together throughout their journeys, Jim and Huck teach each other important values, life lessons, and knowledge. The time they have together, gaining insights into each other as human beings, shows the strength in their father son relationship.

Huck Finn Post 1

Throughout the first 10- chapters, the story of Huck’s life unfolds. His life is everything- but ordinary. His life experiences have led him to become very independent. Huck likes to do much by himself and believes that he is capable of living alone. “All right; I can stop anywhere I want to.” (Twain pg.129) This quote is from when Huck was packing to leave the cabin where his abusive and alcoholic father was keeping him isolated. Huck does not have a stable father figure. This quote portrays to the reader that Huck has the determination and drive to make it without parental support.  A lack of parental responsibility has caused Huck to become more self-sufficient and self-reliant which becomes even more apparent as his life journey unfolds.

Huck is also a very mischievous character. Despite the fact that he is not allowed to “get” involved in shenanigans, he finds himself in much trouble with his side-kick, Tom Sawyer. Huck gets joy out of knowing he’s not allowed to be so roguish.  “Tom made a sign to me-kind of a little noise with his mouth-and we went creeping away on our hands and knees”.(Twain pg.55)  Huck and Tom went sneaking around late at night, fully knowing that they were breaking the rules. The two boys also established a band of robbers along with other impish friends. Both of the boys are very creative and imaginative. Their ingenuity leads to many of the problems they encounter.