Huck Finn 5: 129-157

“If they wanted us to call them kings and dukes, I hadn’t no objections, long as it would keep peace in the family… If I never learnt nothing else out of pap, I learnt that the best way to get along with this kind of people is to let them have their own way” (137).

• In this passage, Huck makes an intelligent decision to accept the King and Duke’s lies only to avoid disagreements. Despite Huck’s upbringing, this says a lot about his character and what he values. Huck could have confronted the two men; however, he subconsciously conveys his values of peace and harmony through his beliefs: “above all things, on a raft, is for everyone to be satisfied” (137). This is Huck’s refuge and he is not willing to have anything ruin it. We also see Huck reveal the first positive and beneficial words of Pap. The reader is aware that throughout Huck’s life, Pap has been a negative influence and a bad role model for Huck, so when hearing this, it is a great shock that Pap could have instructed Huck with a solid foundation of values. Nonetheless, the unusual wise words from Pap brings about an anticipation for more possible wise advice.

“I found Jim had been trying to get him to talk French, so he could hear what it was like; but he had been in this country so long, and had so much trouble, he’s forgot it” (146).

• Earlier in the reading, Jim is extremely stubborn and refuses to believe that some men may have the ability to speak another language. He argues with Huck and leaves his mind set on the fact that a man is to speak the same language as every other man (92). Likewise, a dog must speak the language of its own species. Ignorance is prevalent during that portion of the reading; however, Jim seems to be growing intellectually in being able to control his stubborn nature. He makes an effort to be open-minded which shows his yearning for more education and less wanting to rely on his inflicted ignorance as a crutch. By asking to hear the man speak French, Jim is acknowledging other men’s abilities to speak in other language. This shows great improvement in Jim.

Vocabulary:

Next you’d see a raft sliding by, away off yonder, and maybe a galoot on it chopping, because they’re most always doing it on a raft” (130).

Galoot: (noun) an awkward, eccentric, or foolish person

“They had white-domestic awnings in front, and the country people hitched their horses to the awning-posts” (151).

Awning: (noun) A rooflike structure, often made of canvas or plastic, that serves as a shelter, as over a storefront, window, door, or deck