I do feel however, that Mark Twain put the book in a good perspective. It didn't feel like I was listening to him tell the story as much as I was listening to Huck telling me a story. It kind of contradicts "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", mostly because the narrator changes and I noticed that at the very beginning. Twain really gave you a feel for the south with the dialogue and how characters acted. The part I didn't really like was how people treated slaves for instance Jim, Mrs. Watson likes him and then decides to sell him, Huck thinks he is his friend but at times doubts him because of his skin color but at the end when Jim puts himself at risk when Tom gets shot Huck decides Jim is white on the inside.
The one character I could somewhat relate to would be Huck, just because I can always expect him to view things to be not as bad as they actually are. He doesn't really care that he has a drunken dad or when he's in danger. These types of things just don't really affect him. He is also a good friend to Tom, they remain good friends through the book "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", and remain friends even after Tom thought he was murdered. That could be one of the only friendships that actually lasts in this book. All in all, I really wasn't a fan of this novel, it didn't hold my attention but don't judge the book by my post, I am very critical because I don't like reading.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of which you said. It was very hard to pay attention while reading the novel, and the dialogue drove me insane! I found it hard to continually try to read the "git, nuffn else" language and not want to just skip over it. I also am not too fond of how Jim is treated in this novel, but it is very enlightening to see that Huck is able to form a strong friendship with Jim even though he is used to blacks being viewed as "bad." Huck's carefree personality is refreshing, and even though this wasn't the most entertaining book I have ever read, it was rewarding at the end.
-Brandd.
Michael i totally agree with you. i couldnt understand most of the book. the dialouge was difficult. im am glad i read the book though. it definately showed me the difference in how people(Jim) were treated back then.
ReplyDeleteAfter your initial rant, you hit on some very interesting points. The first point I see you wanting to stress is the narrative style. You state that "It didn't feel like I was listening to him [Twain] tell the story as much as I was listening to Huck telling me a story." Why was the choice of point of view and narration so important to you that you chose to post about it?
ReplyDeleteThe narration is also an issue because it is the first topic you begin to discuss, "My other problem was the dialogue, it drove me crazy reading words like; dey ain't, I reckon, git, nuffn else." The dialogue and dialect are part of the narrative structure found in the book. What if it was written in proper standard English as we try to teach today? Would the story be as effective? Would you relate to Huck as much?
You state you are "critical" because you don't "like reading." Well, try to approach a book with a goal in mind, other than I have to read. Try to find a relationship with a character, like you did with Huck. Or better yet, get mad at a character. In order to like reading, you need to find a connection. Don't read a book for the sake of reading; try doing some research on a time period before you start to read. For me, sometimes knowing something about the author or the time period helps me because then I can begin to understand the situation. Other times, I just start to read and try to relate to something or figure out what the author is trying to tell me. In the case of Huckleberry Finn, we were warned not to try to find a moral to the story. We can assume if we really want to find closure; but sometimes closure is never possible. Try these things when you begin The Grapes of Wrath.
After reading your post and looking back at the book. You made some great points... the dialog was very hard to understand but i believe it made the story what it was. Also about how you liked the part of the book when Huck and Tom were freeing Jim. I would have to say that that was the part of the book i really didn't enjoy much of. I guess if i look at the book like you did at that point it could of been interesting.
ReplyDelete~Ashley B. :]
I love your post you start out with "I hated it" I love that, you describe what you hated about it then u mention why you did like it. I also liked how you mentioned the perspective of the book and compared it to The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer. Everyone seems to be comparing the two books, but I never read Tom Sawyer so I have no clue what everyone is talking about. I like that you can compare the two books.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteWell first off, I love how you stated your own opinion right off the bat. I felt the same when it came to Jim talking. It was so hard and frustrating to try and understand that I almost just wanted to skip over the paragraphs. But I guess if you really wanted to understand and put the time and effort into it then you could. It just takes patience, which unfortunately, I do not have. Anyways, I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I'm looking forward to seeing you in class. :)
;morg.