While reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, I inquired two questions. First, why did Mark Twain add such superstition to the characters of Huck and Jim? Was superstition a common thing to believe in the 1800’s? You could see in the beginning of the book once Huck spilt the salt he was in a hurry to react. Though the widow prevented him, he was uneasy for several hours. While Huck and Jim were out on the island you really saw how much superstition and believing in bad luck affected the characters. For example Jim did not want to talk about the dead person because he believed that would bring up bad luck and its ghost would hunt them. Also, why do you think Mark Twain used superstition to characterize Huck? Do you think this is just a way for Mark Twain to elaborate and keep the reader's mind occupied or do you think there was a real purpose? Think about the beginning of chapter ten. Mark Twain could have chosen among numerous ideas, but instead he chooses to write about how the snake skin brought bad luck. Why didn’t he write about previous encounters with his father, or Jim’s conditions?
An interesting question to consider:
I believe that as education levels become higher in an individual, the less one believes in superstition and other comical beliefs. Do you agree with me or disagree with me?
Another thinking question is: what would have happened if Huck was never kidnapped by his father? If he never was influenced by his father, would he still run away? Or would he have accepted the widow's logic and grown up to be a working man? Would he ever inherit the fortune left for him?
posted by Bardia G.
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It is clear that Pap's return catalyzes Huck's escape. Had he not returned, I think Huck would still be at the Widow's.
ReplyDeleteRemember that what one generation views as science, the next generation views as superstition...
Personally, I think that the superstition adds more personality (and in some cases, vulnerability) to the characters. As for the actual purpose to it, I agree with Ms.Harford: I think it was just the fact that it was taking place so long ago and there weren't many concrete facts or discoveries back then. It just adds to the content.
ReplyDeleteI also think that if Huck stayed with the widow, he wouldn't have ran away when he did, or even at all.