Saturday, April 9, 2011
Journal 4
Huck Finn is a different kind of book, and I must say that I am not a fan of it. Mark Twain has some great writing about the beauty of the south in the story, but that is about the only thing I like about it. The storyline is not fluent and has too many random side stories to have a reader understand Twain’s main point in the story. There are too many themes, and none of them are supported by more than a few chapters throughout the book. For example, just in brainstorming in class for five minutes my partner and I came up with nine possible themes for the book…but none of them were necessarily the perfect fit. Twain used this book to cram all his possible ideas and frustrations in to a story at once, not worrying about how the actual story read.
If I was reading this book for leisure, I think it would be more enjoyable. The story of Jim and Huck and the adventures they encounter is a nice enough read, but when looking at the deeper meaning behind the book I tend to get frustrated because of all of the side notes. I feel that if Twain was able to make his point in a more streamlined or clear way, the book would be leaps and bounds better.
The other thing that I hate about the book is the extent that Twain uses the local vernacular. It is entertaining, and does add color to a boring story. However, it also takes away from reader comprehension and honestly just gets annoying after a while. I am also not a fan of most of the characters. There is no real character development in the story, and I cannot relate to the characters at all. Even though I have been following the story of Huck through the entire story, I feel like he never has a true identity. He does not stand for one particular thing. I guess the point Twain is trying to make is that Huck is trying to find himself throughout the book, and makes small revelations through his adventures. Even so, that story line makes it hard to see Twain’s themes and points in the story. It’s a hard read for an English class.
There are, however, a few things I like about Huck Finn. I like the time period the book is set in. I find it interesting that Twain chose to write about the down and outs of America instead of the glorified East. He makes the South sound rough and exciting, and allows the readers to appreciate the beauty of the Mississippi River. I like how the river is the center for Huck’s freedom in the book. Since I have grown up near the James River, I understand the appreciation of a river. It’s always moving through with new fresh water, teeming with life and yet the most peaceful existence in this land.
The more I sit down and think about Huck Finn, the more I like it. It is frusterating, and a boring read. The themes are all jumbled up and are not streamlined enough to make a real point. But I like the idea that Huck is learning who he is through a voyage down the river. The river is a pure soul, and that Huck learns to stand by his soul instead of what society thinks of him. I feel like that is the most important point in the book. That is what I can take from this 43 chapter story. It is long, it is confusing, but I guess there might be a silver lining. I think the ending of this book will be the deciding factor in whether or not I find it a decent piece of literature or an overrated classic.
¶ 8:14 AM
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