Huck Finn 3

            In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, there are many satirical references.  Most of them are out dated accept, for the allusion to the famous Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet.  Along with the reference to the play, there are also elements of sadness and humor to the section of the book with the Grangerfords’.  When Huck first comes onto Grangerfords land he is immediately questioned about being or knowing the Shepherdsons.  “Now, George Jackson, do you know the Shepherdsons’ (Twain 99).  When Huck is confirmed to not be involved with this family he is treated normal and is even told to stay as long as he would like.  Twain starts to add in the humor of how the two families are always trying to kill each other for no reason.  “‘What did he do to you?’ ‘Him? He never done nothing to me.’  ‘Well, then, what did you want to kill him for?’  ‘Why, nothing—only it’s on account of the feud’” (109).  These two families hate each other and have taught their own kids to hate each other for a reason they can not even say, because they do not know.  Although this is humorous it also is sad that they go on hating each other.

            Along with the humor of the Grangerfords’ there is also the element of sadness and remorse.  One of Buck’s sisters Emmeline, dies at a young age and it hits the family hard.  She was very talented with poetry involving death as among her characteristics.  “If Emmeline Grangerford could make poetry like that before she was fourteen, there aint no telling what she could ‘a’ done by and by” (105).  Emmeline is one of those people who had so much potential, but their life was cut short.  The Grangerfords also keep her room in perfect condition.  “They kept Emmeline’s room trim and nice, and all the things fixed in it just the way she like to have them when she was alive, and nobody ever slept there” (106).  The family can not get over this loss and takes the time to make sure her room is flawless still.

            The biggest allusion with this section of the book is the one of the relation to Romeo and Juliet.  The feud between the two families in the book is a parallelism to the Montagues and the  Caplulets, but the love affair between Sophia Grangerford and Harney Shepherdson is another very evident correlation to the Shakespeare play.  “…Run of to get married to dat young Harney Shepherdson…” (114).  These to two young lovers are going against their families ways exactly how Romeo and Juliet did.  When Buck and another family member from the Shepherdson dies because of the feud, it adds another element of the allusion.  These families are so busy fighting, that they both suffer a loss of their own.  This also brings a main them of what is moral in the novel.  Twain adds these references to make the book more interesting and teach lessons along the way.

Huck Finn #2

            In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, one of the most apparent relationships so far is the one of Jim and Huck.  Throughout the first part of the book the bond between Jim and Huck is a father-son relationship.  Huck has lived a very confusing life without knowing who he really is.  This starts with his a lack of family and because of the absence of a real family he needs someone to guide him.  Although Widow Douglas has been really trying to devote herself to make Huck into a fine young boy, Huck was never happy.  He seems to be much happier in nature, and since Jim and Huck started their journey together at the island Huck feels more relaxed around Jim.  As soon as he feels the absence of his “father” and gets the idea that Jim could be in trouble he does not like it.  “I had got uneasy I couldn’t set still” (Twain 64).  Huck is afraid of losing Jim, which is also unusual because at the time Jim being an African-American and Huck liking him so much and treating him like his own father was crazy.  Huck needs Jim, although he may not know, but Jim needs Huck so he does not look like a runaway slave and even for a friendship.

            Jim is an uneducated runaway slave and Huck does not know how much power and control he has over him.  Jim ultimately needs Huck for the sake of looking like he has not escaped, but it is a deeper matter in which Jim needs Huck.  When he thinks that Huck is in danger, but then Huck comes back he is very grateful.  “It’s too good for true, honey, it’s too good for true.  Lemme look at you chile, lemme feel o’you. No, you ain’ dead” (87)!  At first it seems that Jim is glad to know Huck is ok for sake of his own protection, but his father characteristics come out and he is in awe and joy to know that Huck is ok.  This is exactly what a father would be thinking to know that his son is not harmed.  Jim and Huck’s relationship

Huck Finn Blog Post 1

In the first 10 chapters of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, the narrator, Huck Finn makes a lasting impression on readers.  Huck shows that he is a self-determining, undecided, and juvenile character.  His life is filled with an emotional roller coaster between his abusive, drunk father to Widow Douglas trying to make him into a proper young boy.  As soon as his father comes back into the picture Huck becomes the rebellious replica of his dad.  “Now looky here; you stop that putting on frills.  I won’t have it.  I’ll lay for you, my smarty; and if I catch you about that school I’ll tan you good.  First you know you’ll get religion, too” (Twain 28).  This ironic statement of how his father actually does not want him to go to school or study religion, shows that Huck gets the impression that this is right and what he is supposed to do.  He also has the influence of Tom Sawyer who is always giving him a bad idea.  For example, “I asked her if she reckoned Tom Sawyer would go there, and she said not by a considerable sight.  I was glad about that, because I wanted him and me to be together” (13).  In this instant, Huck is almost a follower of Tom, and always wants to do what Tom is doing. Huck’s influences shape him into someone who is not sure of what the want or who they are. 

Although Huck is sometimes manipulated by his surroundings, he also has developed an independent and self efficient aspect to his personality.  When he floats down to the island, Huck becomes more mature because of being forced to fend for himself.  “I found plenty strawberries, ripe and prime; and green summer grapes, and green razberries, and the grand blackberries was just beginning to show.  They would all come handy by and by, I judged” (46).  He found food for himself and was even talking about storing it for later.  This shows that he has some maturity and realizes what to do in a time of need.  Through his rough upbringing and facing the adventures he has so far, Huck is a character who will continue to grow into a mature and independent character.

Coud FEDGO be a society in today's world?

A perfect society is perfect everyone, but to achieve that may be impossible.  FEDGO is a society where everyone is supposed to have their own place. It is a place where there are different season on islands, with different jobs and different aspects to each island.  FEDGO is supposed to be a well educated society as well as welcoming and simple, but a nation with all these different characteristics would not work. Although FEDGO has what a transcendentalist society needs, it would not be successful in today’s world.  

The six islands of FEDGO represent a special place where everyone has what they like.  Having islands with a different season is impractical, but the idea of having strong job opportunities is not.  Education is key to any society, and for FEDGO it is the main focus of the culture.  A main problem in 3^rd world countries is illiteracy, but in FEDGO almost 100 percent of the population is literate.  Along with education being so important, it is also paid for by the government which helps people in financial situations.  This is also helps with unemployment rate because nearly everyone has a higher degree in education and has gone to school beyond high school.

However, FEDGO’s policy on letting anyone at any time, is taking a risk.  This is also part of the way that the government is run, with little authority.  Unfortunately in the real world everyone is not perfect and respects the rules that are put into place.  Therefore there would have to be more government involvement and more laws with harder consequences.  Also, it is not practical to try and have the government to stay out because to have a system with low crime it needs to be very much a place where the government manages.  If the government is not involved, then lives will get out of control and not be stable. 

  FEDGO is supposed to give citizens a life of simplicity and happiness, but the world today is changing rapidly.  It is now impossible to live without technology and with technology comes complication.  A society without these new ways to do tasks, would immediately fail.  In addition, FEDGO would be a society that wants to move forward with new researching and new ways to be energy efficient.  This will have to use a lot of technology and will be a complicated process.  As well being green, FEDGO’s islands were supposed to bring something new to each island, a different climate and different jobs.  Although this seems like it would be like a fairytale, to have a type of island, it’s impossible to do this in nature.  To make this work, there would have to be a type of fake making of weather systems, which also goes against FEDGO’s natural and organic policy.   Being environmentally sufficient is exactly what FEDGO wants and needs, but to get there will take technology and a big part of time which is not what FEDGO was supposed to be.

FEDGO is what a transcendentalist society can be, but it does not have some key parts that a successful settlement needs. Being well educated is what will help FEDGO succeed, but welcoming and simple is what FEDGO is about and this would help the society fail.  The way that the civilization is set up FEDGO would not survive and although it is a transcendentalist society, it would not work in today’s world. 

Dead Poets Soceity Post

            Throughout the movie, “Dead Poets Society”, there is a evident display of conformity.  In this film, an English teacher, Mr. Keaton expresses how he desperately wants the boys at Welton to go against the grain and be themselves.  At this school it is impractical to not be the cookie cutter, perfect, prep school boy.  Not only are the students expected to be the same, but the teachers all look, teach, talk, and have the same morals.  Mr. Keaton is the exact opposite, and within the teachers, he is the non conformist.  Having this example of someone who can be himself and enjoy it gives the students the vision of being able to also do so.  Although individuals should always be themselves, there are certain things or people that can make staying true to oneself not an option. 

            Not going along with the herd has always been the life lesson of non conformist and transcendentalist.  When one of the students, Neil, decides to follow his passion and join the school play, his conforming parents disapprove.  He is forced to go to a military school, and because of the amount of pressure he is under, he commits suicide.  This is an example when non conformity is a bad thing.  When another student decides to try and anger the administration, he succeeds but is also expelled later on for refusing to conform.  There is always going to be someone holding another back from doing what they want to peruse.   It can be a stranger on the street or someone close.  The influence that is person has on an individual can be the difference of no caring what they think or taking ones life.  

Modern Day Transcendentalism Post

Transcendentalism seems to be what all individuals want to achieve, simply being themselves.  Today, trying to escape the judgmental and materialistic world and be 100% you is impossible.  Especially being in the spotlight, it seems that very few celebrities are really who they are inside.  Being a transcendentalist does not mean that they have to wear the most outrageous clothes, or say the most unexpected things, but they are just themselves.  Ellen DeGeneres, an openly lesbian comedian/actress is a perfect example of someone who took the risk of being themselves and by doing this has a more fulfilling life.

            Although in the modern age, people are becoming more accepting of  gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transvestites, coming out is one of the hardest things a gay individual has to go through.  Ellen DeGeneres came out in 1997 on The Oprah Winery Show , and later on was a big supporter of things like LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people).  She takes great pride in her sexuality and that is something that many wish they could be.  Although being a lesbian is who she is, it does not effect who she her personality.  Her popular show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has won many Emmy Awards and is well known for Ellen being her humorous, and fun-loving-self.  Not only does Ellen give back to the gay community, but also to the less fortunate.  Being able to own materialistic things is something else everyone wants but Ellen can still give back.  Having hosting the Academy Awards and the Primetime Emmys, it is obvious that she has succeeded in the entertainment business, and that being gay does not affect her in this way. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYkGVP0mCec&feature=related

            Being judged for whom one is, is really the ultimate fear in life.  Everything that an individual does, they second guess themselves because someone could start critiquing them for wearing the clothes they want or, like Ellen, being gay.  Examples of modern day transcendentalism are scarce and now a days is decreasing because people are told who they are supposed to be.  Ellen is not only an example for gays, but for people struggling to be themselves and she is a true transcendentalist.

Works cited: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_DeGeneres

Youtube.com

Walden Essay Post

 

            When the thought of the perfect life comes to mind, almost all people think of simplicity and pure happiness. Trying to uncomplicated one’s life seems to be the hardest thing to do. Now that there is so much industrial science and new ways to everything, simple becomes something that is far away from where the present day is at. With all of today’s modern technology that is in existence and influence from the rest of the world, it is nearly impossible for the modern age to simplify their lives.

            Since the contemporary society has only been taught how to survive with machines and tools, doing simple tasks now becomes hectic. The lives of the average human are packed with unnecessary stress and pressure. This creates the opposite of simple, extreme detail. “Our life is frittered away by detail” (Walden 490). By wasting time with the internet and others opinions, the population uses up precious time.  The inhabitants of the world are fortunate enough to be alive and to not live their life to the fullest is a misuse.  It is hard to not be influenced by surrounding trends, but today’s civilization must live like they want to, and because that is what they want to do with their own life. 

            A simple life and a boring life are very different, but one can be confused with the other.  Not only must one be motivated to live a life of pure nature for it to be simple, but they must appreciate that aspect of their life as well.  “That man who does not believe that each day contains an earlier, more sacred, and auroral hours than he has yet profaned, has departed of life, and is pursuing a descending and darkening way”(Walden 480-490).  One cannot try and live a simple life because they think they should, or that it is what everyone thinks they should.  They must understand how to live simply and truly want to live in that way.  Part of being an individual is being different and wanting to do things by themselves.  The environment that society lives in now, it is considerably difficult to get away from what has been taught at the beginning.  Since the world does not know how to live a simple life, they can not.

            Being caught up in what the world is doing, and how technology is moving so fast, no one can live a simple life.   A balanced and simple life is ultimate goal in most lives, to get away from unnecessary business and complications.  However, with technology controlling the lives of those who want a simple life, and society being the way it is today, in the modern day people cannot simplify their lives.