Huck Finn Verdict Response

My overall involvement with the Mark Twain Mock Trial was that it was a great learning experience.  When my character Huck was on the stand, it was a little nerve racking because  as a character one is  not sure what to expect when being cross examined. Huck’s character was a really fun one to portray. It was a lot of work though because Huck is a very large character as he is the narrator throughout the novel. I was worried that I would be unable to represent him well as a character. Huck also was a very important character to the defense’s side because he befriends Jim, so I felt the pressure to answer correctly.  The amount of questions being asked becomes very overwhelming on the stand, or at least that is how I felt. It was necessary that to take time before answering questions so I did not contradict a previous answer.

 Both sides asked questions that made the jury really question some of Twain’ s intentions through different characters.  The sides both asked rebuttal questions that caused all the lawyers to think on their feet and be quick witted.    The prosecution and the defense both brought very clever points to the trial. The trial was a good way to do a review of the whole book, and bring emphasis to important themes in the book. As the trial was unfolding  the reader was not sure what the outcome would be. Both sides had very strong arguments to why Mark Twain should be guilty or not guilty. When the verdict of Mark Twain being not guilty was determined, I was happy and surprised. It could have reasonably gone either way, but because my character was on the defensive sides I was happy that our hard work had come with a matching and  victorious outcome.  

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.

Could Specialissimus exist?

Elyse Beach

1st hour American Literature

December 18, 2011

The transcendentalist society of Specialissimus is very unique. With no conformity, limited rules, and no judgment the society sounds as though it would be a good addition to today’s world.  Although many people think that a transcendentalist society would be possible in today’s world, a society with behavioral rules, no judgment, the disapproving of conformity, and people’s resistance to change are why a transcendentalist society could not exist today.

            The Specialissimus transcendentalist society has very many behavioral rules. These rules would benefit today’s world. No bullying and no plagiarism are two rules that exist. The prohibition on bullying will help society because people will be free to behave in ways that make them unique without fear of being made fun of and ridiculed. Plagiarism allows people to be lazy and exist off of the efforts of others.  By creating harsh consequences for this help people embrace their own creativity and express their own thoughts instead of copying others ideas.  People’s behavior has to be monitored to create a successful society.  The behavioral rules could help the society to integrate as part of the world today.

            The world unconsciously makes judgments about people they do not even know. Trying to create a society without criticizing others on their differences would be difficult.  Though people wish that we lived in world where judging did not exist it is very hard to avoid. Peoples thoughts cannot be controlled so saying that people cannot judge would end up in defeat because many are unaware of the judgments they make. People’s judgments of others can also help them in life, and without judging others you cannot make a proper decision on if they will be a good influence in someone’s life. People choose to make unintelligent decisions such as doing drugs or drinking.  These are people that should not be used as examples.  By judging their undesirable decisions as bad, people can avoid socializing and interacting with them.

            Conformity very much exists in many everyday places. Factories and driving are examples of conformity where people are obligated to follow the rules. Without the conformity in factories workers would be out of control. The work would not get done because employees would show up at any time, and if they did show up they would not do any work. This would create a world where nothing would be produced and an economy could not thrive because we do not have control over employees, and working facilities. Driving is another example because without traffic laws, danger would be created for both fellow drivers and pedestrians. Chaos would be created without driving rules and restrictions. Laws are put in place to create the same regulations for everyone.  Without some types of conformity in the world people would be unruly and there would be much pandemonium.

            Citizens in today’s world resist change as much as possible. Most change today is viewed as bad and so many avoid change at all costs. There is a very small amount of people that would agree to change their old, comfortable life style to adapt to the idea of a new one.  Change goes very much against conformist beliefs so many people don’t embrace it. All the aspects that exist in the transcendentalist society are what help keep today’s world under control and productive.

The idea of integrating a new transcendentalist society into today’s world would not succeed. The non conformist beliefs, lack of judgment, and unwillingness to change would prevent the society from thriving in the world today.

           

           

Dangers in What You Believe

                Conformity is a central theme in the movie “The Dead Poet’s Society”. The teachers and their techniques are very old school, and frankly, not interesting. The teachers are elderly white males with dull, tiresome, mundane voices and very strict class rules. Unlike the teachers in the schools, the boys in the school are quite the contrary and believe in unconformity. The conformities that exist in the school stop the boys from pursuing their dreams and explore who they really are during high school.  Teenagers need to be allowed to experiment, broaden their horizons, try new adventure to determine their own potential and interests.   In this critical time in their lives, restricting their need to discover themselves can cause many unexpected and undesirable outcomes. The extreme differences between unconformity and conformity between the teachers and the students, lead the boys to acting out behaviors.

                In the film there are many examples of the boys’ misbehaving antics. Neal, who unfortunately cannot become an actor, because of the disapproval of school personnel and his father, ends up committing suicide. The pressure of being just like everyone else and having his life planned out for him by his father became so overwhelming that he felt he did not have any other way of dealing with the pressure to conform. Some of the other students created a new club called the Dead Poets’ Society with the inspiration of a new teacher named Mr. Keating, who believed very much in unconformity. This new teacher was harshly criticized for his new ways of teaching and his influence over the boys in the school. The boys who were in this club had to secretly meet, because the fear of being expelled participating in something they believed in. In the end though there were some devastating endings, many of the boys stood up for their beliefs even though it meant risking being expelled or being punished which really showed that they were unconformists.

Transcendentalist Shirt Response

Wearing my transcendentalist shirt created many reactions throughout the day. I was asked by students and teachers why I was wearing my shirt. I was proud to tell them the reason behind my shirt, and was proud of all the things about me on my shirt. Not the majority, but a few people gave me confused and strange looks. Even though it was hard to not worry about people judging me I am proud of what makes me who I am, so there opinions and looks didn’t affect me. To participate in this transcendentalist was an eye opening activity, and it was nice to express myself and watch others express who they are. This is a great extra credit opportunity, and I am glad I got an opportunity to express myself in a setting where even though I don’t mean to, I try to fit in.