Chapter 15-22
In Chapter 15, Huck is ignoring his “social responsibility” by not ratting out Jim. Instead, they are headed to Cairo where they can sell the raft for a steamboat and Jim won’t be in danger of being a slave because Ohio is a free state. I can’t seem to figure out just yet if Huck is keeping Jim around because he knows it’s wrong to turn him in or because he knows he needs him. Realistically, a boy out on his own in any time period would not survive, mainly because he doesn’t have the necessary skills to survive.
Later, in the chapter, Jim smashes up the oar on the raft out of frustration due to his bad dream. We find out that the dream that has Jim all stressed out was one involving Huck getting seriously hurt. (Aw.)
I love this father-son dynamic developing in this story. Huck has a horrible father. Jim currently has no family. Perfect set up. Although, the father would typically be “in charge” which is not the cast here because at any moment, Huck could give into his social responsibility and turn Jim in. Huck has all the power in the relationship. That is exactly the thought that occurred to him in Chapter 6.
I think that is when the severity and reality of the situation caught up to Huck in chapter 6. He finally realizes that not only did he run away, but he ran away with Miss Watson’s slave. He’s pretty much sure that he is going to turn Jim in. Not so easy when Jim is telling him how grateful he is, eh? Huck is at a full-blown war with himself, his social responsibility, and what he feels is the right thing do to.
Nice job!
ReplyDeleteHuck knows that whatever he chooses to do he will feel guilty and bad about himself. I think it will be interesting to see what he will end up doing as the story unfolds. I think Huck needs Jim because without him I don't think they would have gone as far as they have. Jim I think keeps Huck going because he's like a friend of his , if Huck was alone he probably would've just gotten bored and gave up on trying to runaway.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Huck ignores his social responsibilities consistantly through the novel. But I am not sure if it is to have Jim help him with things he needs to survive. I think that Huck ignored social responsibility because as a child he inatly knows what is the right thing to do, possibly because he did not really have parents to "teach him to hate". I really want to know what Huck decides to do in the end.
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