Sunday, December 12, 2010

Question - Huck Finn XXXVI - XXXIX

How was Twain's disdain for Romantic fiction evident in Chapter 36 - 39

Tom Sawyer is the character that represents romanticism in 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.
He is a character that tends a lot to do things that are romantic. He reads adventure books and tries to do the same things as the characters in the book. He founds a band with his friends and swears to kill people, to steal things, they even write a vow with blood, but in the end nothing happens. He tends to make things really complicated and risky but he doesnt really care as long as it follows the 'guidelines' of his books.
Since Tom shows up, Huck kind of adjusts hisself to Tom. He does not really think anymore, he does what Tom wants him to. Huck got a lot smarter since the first chapter but he doesnt really use that ability anymore. He worships Tom and doesnt even think that something of him could be totally wrong.
When Tom plans Jim's escape, we see more of his idea for romanticism. He wants to make Jim keep a journal - even though he doesnt even know how to write. Then he wants to dig a hole to get Jim, with case knives, even though the door is unlocked. Moreover he wants to make him a pie with a rope ladder in it, even though Jim is located on the first floor or he wants to saw off the bed leg even though you could just lift it up. All in all we see that Tom's plans are kind of senseless and stupid.
For Jim Tom's plans are not really helpful either. First, He doesnt really get to escape really fast, but moreover Tom put snakes and spiders into his room and he nearly bit off his teeth.

2 comments:

  1. Tom doesn't really consider Jim. Why? What does this say about hiim? Remember he is a symbol of society. Is Jim a human to Tom?

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