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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
AB|🇬🇧
Read this as preparation for James by Percival Everett because I didn't go to high school in the USA so didn't read this one. Even watch the crash course video about this for the full experience and now I know why a river is never just a river in these classics
Read this as preparation for James by Percival Everett because I didn't go to high school in the USA so didn't read this one. Even watch the crash course video about this for the full experience and now I know why a river is never just a river in these classics
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my favorite classic that we have read in class thus far. Twain's unique way of using satire to criticize civilized society, southern culture, and racism made for an emotional and informative read. Loved this!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This book is so weird! I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't that. According to the book jacket, Huck's adventure is a "metaphoric voyage through his own soul," and that theme is one constant as Huck travels through a bunch of states and meets an extensive cast of characters.
Jim is there the entire time, but he's a passive character. While Huck is the narrator and the agent of his own story, Jim is a mash-up of black stereotypes. He's trusting, giving, obedient, and a little clueless; he's there to serve the white characters' story. He's even willing to comply with Tom's inane demands, which was where my suspension of disbelief ended. Tom treats Jim's freedom as part of a game, and who would put up with that? (As inconsiderate as Tom is in the later chapters, I couldn't hold back some dark chuckles. He's dead convinced of the need for "morality!")
The book's ending is too convenient: it's hard believing that a contemporary southern family would accept a black man with open arms. And again, the ending focuses on Huck's development, not Jim's rights and dignity. That left a sour taste in my mouth, but it's an important reminder that racial progress needs to be reflected in our stories, not just our policies. Who gets to speak? Who gets to be seen? Those are questions I'll be thinking about.
Side note: This and other stories can be uncomfortable to read, but that's part of the point. Books are there to challenge and to educate. I'm rattled when people try to ban a book because they don't like its language or ideas; that's like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. Yes, marginalized peoples' stories need to be amplified, but there's room for Mark Twain. His rendition of a boy and slave's story is so telling of his era. That era isn't something we can afford to forget.
Jim is there the entire time, but he's a passive character. While Huck is the narrator and the agent of his own story, Jim is a mash-up of black stereotypes. He's trusting, giving, obedient, and a little clueless; he's there to serve the white characters' story. He's even willing to comply with Tom's inane demands, which was where my suspension of disbelief ended. Tom treats Jim's freedom as part of a game, and who would put up with that? (As inconsiderate as Tom is in the later chapters, I couldn't hold back some dark chuckles. He's dead convinced of the need for "morality!")
The book's ending is too convenient: it's hard believing that a contemporary southern family would accept a black man with open arms. And again, the ending focuses on Huck's development, not Jim's rights and dignity. That left a sour taste in my mouth, but it's an important reminder that racial progress needs to be reflected in our stories, not just our policies. Who gets to speak? Who gets to be seen? Those are questions I'll be thinking about.
Side note: This and other stories can be uncomfortable to read, but that's part of the point. Books are there to challenge and to educate. I'm rattled when people try to ban a book because they don't like its language or ideas; that's like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. Yes, marginalized peoples' stories need to be amplified, but there's room for Mark Twain. His rendition of a boy and slave's story is so telling of his era. That era isn't something we can afford to forget.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So much N word. Too much! I know it was a product of the time but ugh. I have read other books written in this time period and have not been so overwhelmed with the racism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Tried to read this in preparation for reading James and it was so dull and the constant use of a particular derogatory word had me cringing.
eh, it was pretty good. it was a little hard to read with all the southern talk, but i liked it.