Attack of the Crellins: Corey and Olivia's Blog
Blog questions: Chapters 25, 26, and 27
Although we are quite far into the novel, one can see transcendentalism protrayed throughout the novel, particularly in the earlier chapters:
Do you think Twain meant to portray Huck and/or Jim as transcendentalists? If so, why? If not, why?
What similarities do you see between the mental and physical journeys of Chris McCandless and Huck Finn (preparation, departing society, etc.)?
Although we are quite far into the novel, one can see transcendentalism protrayed throughout the novel, particularly in the earlier chapters:
Do you think Twain meant to portray Huck and/or Jim as transcendentalists? If so, why? If not, why?
What similarities do you see between the mental and physical journeys of Chris McCandless and Huck Finn (preparation, departing society, etc.)?
posted by Kristin L | 4:32 PM
6 Comments:
I don't think Twain meant to portray Huck and Jim as Transcendentalists at all. They were not making the conscious choice to leave the lives they knew in order to find their true selves. Also, they seem to be exactly the opposite of most other Transcendentalists; if they had any money, they would not give it up. Jim mentions at one point he wishes he had $800 and he wouldn't want any more than that. Huck did leave the $6000 behind, but he left because of his father. If his father hadn't come, he would still be with the widow and would still have his money.
While I see what Andie and Allison are saying about Huck and Jim not being transcendentalists, I agree with Ryan that they are. I think that they both made the choice to leave their society in order to find something greater. Huck and Jim enjoying money can be viewed as trancendental, even if greed does not fall into the usual trancendental lines. Both Huck and Jim have tried to escape a world where niether of them would have much of a chance to become economically prosperous, therefore, in a way, they are transcending their society.
I think that Twain was trying to portray them as transcendentalists. Huck and Jim both made the conscious decision to leave there society behind, hoping that they would find freedom, for Jim, and a life away from rules and restrictions, for Huck. Also, I agree with Christine d, that they were not two people that would become very prosperous if they remained in the society they were living in, so they were transcending their society.
I think that Huck was meant to be portrayed as a transcendentalist, but not Jim. Huck seemed to leave mroe on his own free will. Jim was more forced to leave due to the slavery. Huck on the other hand seemed to have intentions of finding a life that was beyond life as he knew it at the widow's, his father's cabin, and the society in general. He loved the independence of living in the woods. In my opinion, Huck was motivated by the idea of something better, focusing on the possibilities, while Jim was more motivated by the idea that where he was wasn't ideal.
I guess in summary, Huck had his eyes on what else could happen in the future, but Jim had his eyes on how displeasing his current situation was.
I think that Huck and Jim can be considered trancendentalists because they attatched themselves from society. Because they were separated from society's influences, they were able to develop their own ideas about life. Huck, I believe, has changed his views on race. He begins to realize on the river that Jim is a good dad and a good person, and because of this, Huck jeopardizes his freedom in order to save Jim many times. If he had not changed, I don't think that Huck would have put his life on the line for Jim. Huck also decides for himself when it is and is not right to steal. While he thinks it is alright to steal food and free Jim, he does not believe it is moral to steal from the orphaned girls. This too reveals a change in his beliefs that would not have developed had he stayed at home.
I also agree with Ryan, in that Mark Twain purposefully portrayed Huck and Jim as transcendentalists because they left everything they had ever known behind, in order to achieve a greater life. Similarly to Chris McCandless, Huck and Jim left their lives full of unhappiness, caused by what lifestyle they were born into, and abandoned the lives that they felt were spiraling down to venture into the wild. All of the transcendentalists were looking for their own definition of freedom; whether it be a life free of unwanted wealth, slavery, or escape from an abusive father, each one of them was looking for a life of their own without any restrictions.
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