Essential Question 6

What parallels can be drawn between The Pardoner's Tale and his Prologue. How is this tale different from the other two we have studied?

Both the Pardoner's Tale and his Prologue discuss morality and vices. Both define what is wrong or sinful. However, one is described through dictation, while the other is described in a story. The Pardoner seems to be a representation of Jesus, who told crowds the word of God, but did it through parables. Another difference is that the Prologue focuses more on all types of sin, whereas the actual tale teaches not to have avarice or greed.
The Pardoner is very much a hypocrite because he tells a story with a moral that teaches others not to be greedy when he himself is hoarding money from sinners by selling forgiveness. The Pardoner's Tale is different from The Miller's Tale and The Knight's Tale because both storytellers of the other tales actually represented their stories. The Knight taught through his tale of the importance of logic and correct forms of prayer, something expected of a Knight. The Miller, a drunk, tells a tale of lust, immorality, and lechery; even the host was aware that something vulgar or wrong would come out of his mouth. However, the Pardoner, who teaches what is wrong with having greed, actually commits sin himself.

Love, War, and Chastity

Though throughout the Knight’s Tale Arcite may not have seemed an evildoer, his desire for Emily is rather vicious. He is the one that started the conflict when he falls for Emily even though Palamon saw her first. As we see through the Temple of Mars, there is also much injustice depicted on the walls of the temple, for example, Caesar’s assassination. This injustice then broods more violence as Arcite and Palamon battle for Emily’s love. Arcite also prays to win in battle for Mars is the God of War. Desiring victory had its limitations; it did not entail love. In the end, Arcite got what he asked for. He wins the battle, but the gods decide that Palamon should have Emily. If Arcite wanted to win Emily’s hand, worshipping a God whose temple depicted death and sorrow was definitely the wrong idea.

I totally believe that love and war coexist. Love is essential for war, and war is essential for love. As seen through the Knight’s Tale, the love for Emily that Palamon and Arcite express causes a disagreement that leads to violence. Without the love they had for Emily, this war would never have occurred. In the end of the story, Palamon wins the hand of Emily only after battling Arcite and the gods pushing Arcite of his horse. This violence was necessary for Palamon to win his love. One has to remember that love and war are abstract, and therefore their meanings or purposes can be complementary.

Essential Question 5

For my perfect society, I tried to balance the necessities of a community that would function only with five people. The people I have chosen range from a primetime comedian to a Trinity Catholic student. With these five people, Dave Chappelle, Peter Petrelli, Dumbledore, the Virgin Mary, and Dave Jackson Maximillian Oreste, I believe society can not only maintain stability, but also prosper to new heights.

My first choice was Dave Chappelle. Every society needs a jest or a comedian, and Dave Chappelle fits that role perfectly. The thing that is special about his lude performances is that he does not single out a group of people to make fun off. Chappelle teases the whole spectrum of society, even himself. Chappelle allows his jokes to critique society in what it is doing incorrectly. Chappelle offers entertainment, but also direction for society to take. He can also play the role of a procreator.

My second choice was Peter Petrelli. Peter is hero with the special ability to absorb the powers of others. Though Peter may not have anyone to absorb powers from in this five-person society, Peter has already contracted many powers including, healing, generating electricity, super human speed and strength, flight, telepathy, invisibility, pyrokinesis, and space-time travel. With these abilities, Peter can be an enforcer, protector, energy and fuel producer, or a healer. Peter could also play the role of a procreator. With his tenacity to fight for whatever is right, society will definitely find success.

My third choice was Albus Dumbledore. The old headmaster of Hogwarts has all the qualifications to be a leader as one can see through the Harry Potter series, but it is often forgotten that he is a teacher. We have seen him nurture one of the best magicians of all time, Harry Potter. With Dumbledore’s leadership and teaching capabilities, society can be well educated and secure. With his magical powers, Dumbledore can also fit a plethora of other roles.

My fourth choice was the Virgin Mary. Not only does Mary provide for a religious symbol, but also a motherly figure. We can see numerous accounts in the Bible of how she cared for Jesus and worried about him just like any parent today. Mary was also clean from sin and would be a great role model for people to follow. Lastly Mary may have been a virgin, but she was young. Therefore, she would also fit the role of a procreator.

My last choice was Dave Oreste. Many may underestimate the value of Dave, but he actually does provide a crucial role in society. Dave plays a scapegoat. As society prospers, it will need someone to take the blame so that those playing more authoritative roles have time to fix their wrongs and keep their image clean. It sounds wrong, yet there are numerous amounts of scapegoats today. They help maintain stability in times of crisis. Society would never be stable without Dave.

All in all, my society fulfills the many roles necessary for a working community. There are good leaders, procreators, educators, guardians, and fuel producers. These are all necessities of a working society. Though my society has these roles fulfilled, it lacks a villain. Many may think a not having a villain would root out violence and evil, but villains play a role crucial to the fate of the people. Without a villain, leaders or whoever controls the public cannot have a hold on the people they rule. With a villain, members of society are forced to stay loyal to their own rulers. Besides this minor blemish, I believe my society would function successfully.

Essential Question 4

Where do we see seduction and lust start to destroy Gawain, our young hero? What is the author trying to tell us?

The episode with the Green Knight is the first example of Gawain's destruction. As we may assume, Gawain has broken the five knightly virtues, especially chastity. His lustful actions have led the Green Knight, who we can assume as being God or an angel of God, to come and make Gawain aware of his wrongs. The Green Knight challenges Gawain to the game, which he accepts. Having one who represents God come to change his ways shows that Gawain has done something to destroy the love God promotes. We also see when he arrives at Bertilak's castle how Gawain and the king's wife grew quite fond of each other than usual. The nonchalant attitude of Gawain makes some type of destruction or punishment imminent. The author is trying to tell us that we are to hold the virtues highly and respect God's values because he is watching, as we see through the Green Knight's arrival, or we shall face punishment.

Chivalric Code '09

1) When attempting to court a girl, the guy should never come on strong and throw out their affection, but perform random acts of kindness to form a positive relationship, which leaves room for development.

2) If the girl you attempt to court with shows negative responses to your kindness, try to up the ante by doing something completely out of the blue, like buying her a small gift.

3) After this, the girl will hopefully be more attentive to your affection. If not, you have done all you could. Let her be a memory and try to move on. At least it was a learning experience.

4) Once you feel that you have formed a somewhat loving relationship, it would be nice to call her from time to time, or text her. Ask her how her game was or tell her something funny that happened today. You can even go to her games and cheer her on. You will definitely be on your way to winning her heart.

5) Once you have started calling her, try to make it a daily basis. Your conversations should entail making her laugh, and more laughing. Make her enjoy your presence on the phone so that she cannot wait to see you in person.

6) When you see her in school, do not be shy and try not to see her. Make your affection known. Give her a hug; help her with her books. You could even walk her to class if you feel that you are ready.

7) Now that your relationship has become quite close, your conversations should now shy away from all the laughter and glee and become more personal. Express your feelings; talk about what troubles you. You have to show the same respect back when she has something to say. Do not judge her. Always be respectful of her opinion.

8) Now that your relationship has grown to this point, it would be appropriate to take her out on a date. The gentleman should always pay for the first date. If the relationship becomes official, payment can fall upon both sides or together. Always plan a date that works for both of you. You want this night to be perfect.

9) On the date, help her to her seat. Make sure you maintain your manners while you eat. This is not just any time or place; this is your first date with someone you really like. DO NOT TALK WITH YOUR MOUTH OPEN! That is key. Also, this would not be the best time to express feelings or problems. Just be yourself, relax, and make her happy.

10) If the date went according to plan, the guy should take her home. Means of transportation does not matter. Taking the 70 can give you an opportunity to snuggle up. Once at her home, tell her you really enjoyed tonight, give her a hug. If you are lucky, the girl should approach for a kiss. From there, you should part ways.

11) The next day, do not be awkward with her or repeatedly keep calling her. Just let it be. When you finally get a hold of her, tell her you really enjoyed last night and that you would like to go out again.

12) With these steps, you should find one day to be alone with her and be really snuggly. You should approach the question slowly, with a little side conversation. Then tell her how much you have loved these past couple weeks and would like to see more. Hopefully, she says yes and you have successfully courted a girl.

13) Sometimes rejection feels like a pain. You can either continue to be nice and attempt to court her or just let her go and move on. Always respect her decision.

14) Throughout your relationship, always be true to her. Never tell her a lie about yourself. Let her know who you are and embrace all you have to offer. Is it not strange if you have to lie about yourself to gain her respect? Let her respect you for who you are. This goes for both girl and guy.

Beowulf- Essential 2

Discuss biblical allusions and religious symbolism in Beowulf.

There are countless biblical implications in this portion of the text. First off, Hrothgar seems to regard Beowulf as God, or at least the son of God, for he often praises the Lord for bringing him such a warrior: "the old king [...] poured out his gratitude to God Almighty for the Geat's words" (1383-1384). This God-given fighter brought peace to the Danes, and resembles an angel who destroys the evil of Grendel and his mother. Since the story tries to convey a message to follow God, the author tries to show how faith in God is auspicious. Beowulf continually refers to having courage, which can be translated into having faith in God. Faith, as we can see, has helped Beowulf thus far.

Since Beowulf is God-given, it seems his fate is predestined: "had not holy God granted him victory; the wise Lord, Ruler of the Heavens, settled the issue" (1537-1539). He even says the battle against Grendel's mother may have been lost "if God had not guarded [him]" (1640). There is also a somewhat divine encounter when a light shines upon Grendel's corpse. This symbolizes how good wins over evil, God over the Devil. There is also the scene when the giant sword melts from Grendel's mother's blood. There is an ambiguous pronoun use that may be intended to foreshadow Beowulf's deification: "He is the true Lord" (1594). The author also mentions about the end of the giant race to instill fear of God: "they were opposed to the Eternal Lord, and their reward was the downpour and the flood" (1675-1676). Lastly, Hrothgar warns of the corruption with power as Beowulf continues on his deification process and realizes his strengths: "always swallow pride" (1743). Beowulf is similar to Jesus fending off the Devil's temptations.

Beowulf- Essential 1

What are the social obligations of a hero? Is Beowulf aware of his deification process?

The social obligations of a hero are rooted in the people the hero serves. A hero has to act with an always selfless manner, and defend the rights of the people around him or her. A hero protects the people when in danger or are hurt by injustice. The hero's role in the community is to forever exact justice and maintain peace. A hero is someone who people can rely on to give advice or help with their problems. A hero has to have the hindsight to see potential consequences or problems that may occur, and prevent them from happening. Therefore, a hero does not have to be called upon to help others, but can find their service necessary through their own judgment, as Beowulf does with Hrothgar. All in all, a hero is a caretaker for the people he or she serves.
Beowulf should be aware of his deification process, but does not let that be the motivation for his actions. With a lineage renowned for their leadership and heroism, Beowulf follows the footsteps of his great ancestors. He helps Hrothgar because he sees an injustice occurring, not to fulfill a requirement for his deification. Though he may act without regard for his deification, we see how he gathers the strongest Geats to embark on the journey to the Danes, similar to Beow's deification, in which "a young man must ensure that in later years his companions will support him, serve their prince in battle" (Line 22-24). Beowulf is also respected by the Geats: "a man who wins renown will always prosper among any people" (Line 24-25). Beowulf is definitely on the road to becoming a god.

P and P Essay

Marriage

"To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part” (Book of Common Prayer). These words bring together man and woman as husband and wife in marriage. As the vow states, marriage requires the couple to love each other for the rest of their lives. However, the society of Pride and Prejudice views marriage as a means for women to raise lower societal rank by being with men of higher class and affluence: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (Austen 5). Having such a view, the true fundamentals of marriage are defaced, for societal competition can lead to marriage for money and other benefits, or simply for practical matters. Such mercenary or prudent marriages devalue love, an integral constituent of marriage. Throughout the novel, love relationships, at times also prudent, are the ones that culminate in success, namely, Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy. Therefore, love is the most favorable basis for marriage: “Love is the master key which opens the gates of happiness” (Holmes).

With no concern for love, mercenary marriages seek to satisfy monetary needs and gather other benefits. At the onset, George Wickham is a charming gentleman with agreeable qualities; when, in actuality, he is a money-hungry failure. He purports to be pleasant to lure women that have the potential to fund his extravagant spending. He jumps from Elizabeth to Ms. King because Ms. King receives her grandfather’s fortune, and he finally marries Lydia only for Darcy’s money. With Wickham’s apathy towards love, “his affection for [Lydia] soon sunk into indifference” (374) once their money is lost. Meanwhile, Lydia is left to her own naiveté to feel that their affection remained strong. Clearly, their mercenary marriage shows no accord or happiness; therefore, money cannot be a positive foundation for matrimony. As for the Bennets, marriage satisfies other benefits.

Besides money, other rewards can be sought in a mercenary marriage. Mr. Bennet marries Mrs. Bennet to satisfy his aesthetical preference: “[Mr. Bennet], captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humour which youth and beauty generally give, had married [Mrs. Bennet]” (231). Though Mrs. Bennet’s elegance satisfied Mr. Bennet for some time, “[her] weak understanding and illiberal mind had, very early in their marriage, put an end to all real affection for her. Respect, esteem, and confidence had vanished for ever; and all his views of domestic happiness were overthrown” (231). Mr. Bennet is certainly regretful of his marital motives and warns Elizabeth to not reciprocate his past with Darcy: “My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life” (364). Furthermore, mercenary marriages precipitate unhappiness; therefore, they are, undoubtably, an unfavorable basis for marriage.

A prudent marriage is one that uses practical common sense as the fundament for a union. For this purpose, Mr. Collins and Charlotte are quintessential. When Mr. Collins originally proposes to Elizabeth, he uses logos to reason out the advantages for such a marriage:

``My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness” (105).

For Mr. Collins, a marriage with Elizabeth would meet all his needs; hence, it is prudent.

When Collins marries Charlotte, Charlotte also exhibits prudence in her motives for marriage: “Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and, however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want” (122). Charlotte desperately wants a husband to provide for her lifelong necessities and finds her answer in Mr. Collins: “I ask only a comfortable home” (125).

Though their marriage coincides with reason, Charlotte has a disposition that “happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance” (24). By only satisfying logic, their relationship unfortunately does not beat the odds. When Elizabeth visits the couple in Hunsford, Charlotte only seems happy for her husband’s goods and not Mr. Collins himself. Mr. Collins’ sycophantic nature was bearable for “[Charlotte’s] home and her housekeeping, her parish and her poultry, and all their dependent concerns, had not yet lost their charms” (212). Though their marriage continues, it is implicit that Collins and Charlotte feel nothing for each other and are only satisfying desperation. Thus, prudent marriage is not the most favorable basis for marriage, but possibly most reasonable.

A love marriage bonds man and woman by love. Jane Bennet is the most positive person imaginable: “[Jane] never see[s] a fault in any body. All the world are good and agreeable in [her] eyes” (16). Similar to Jane, Bingley is fond of everyone, as seen at the Meryton ball: “I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life” (13). When Bingley meets Jane, they automatically fall “violently in love” (140), for both characters share universal impartiality. With love, the couple rejoices in happiness until Darcy splits them apart, yet their affection remained as seen when they are brought back together. Jane “was the happiest creature in the world” (335). As for Elizabeth and Darcy, a first impression ruins their early stages of development. Elizabeth feels prejudiced against Darcy for his haughty manner and cold civility when denying her at the Meryton ball: “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me” (13). This prejudice runs throughout the entire novel until Darcy expresses the utmost love for Elizabeth by paying for Lydia’s marriage to the man who Darcy despises. Elizabeth sees the wrong in her judgment and loves Darcy for his true self. Darcy did show disapproval of Elizabeth at first, yet he was “disgusted with the women who were always speaking, and looking, and thinking for [his] approbation alone. [Elizabeth] roused and interested [him], because [she] was so unlike them”(367). It is true; Darcy puts aside the matter of prudence and loves Elizabeth for her true self.

In both love marriages, the two Bennet daughters not only fulfill lasting contentment, but also maintain prudence. As for the gentleman, the lowering of class is a necessity of love. The love for their wives could not bring them any more happiness, and they do not care for societal differences or familial disapprobation: “To be sure you know no actual good of me—but nobody thinks of that when they fall in love” (367). As the marriage vow did state, no matter rich or poor, unlike the Wickhams, for better or worse, unlike the Bennets and Collinses, we are to love and to cherish our spouses, like the Bingleys and Darcys, till death do us part. Love marriage brought true felicity, something mercenary or prudent marriages could never provide: “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (Corinthians 13:7-8).

Charles Bingley Analysis

Daryl Thomas

AP English- Mr. George

13 April 2009

P and P Character Analysis #2

Charles Bingley

Charles Bingley is an amiable, diffident man who follows the word of his friend, Mr. Darcy, to guide his life.

Similar to Jane, Bingley is fond of everyone, as seen at the Meryton ball: “I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life” (Austen 13). Though a first impression may show Bingley as open and sociable, his high regard of all people is a mere façade that hides his lack of self-confidence. This being said, Bingley listens to his best friend, Mr. Darcy, to make decisions: “Bingley has great natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on [Darcy’s] judgment than on his own.” (141). When Bingley meets Jane, they automatically fall “violently in love” (140), for both characters share universal impartiality. Unfortunately, Darcy discovers many negative consequences in a marriage between Jane and Bingley, and easily convinces Bingley to separate from Jane. Though Bingley listened to Darcy, he holds true to his own sentiments, and in the end, once all the truth is out, Bingley marries Jane with the same affection he felt from before.

Bingley is like Play-Doh. Darcy molds Bingley into what he considers best for Bingley. When Darcy pushes him away from Jane, Bingley still contains the same sentiments he held before. When one plays with Play-Doh, they can mold into any shape or form, but in the end, the matter of the Play-Doh remains the same; it is still Play-Doh. Bingley also remains unaltered.

Bingley is similar to Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls, for both are separated from their true love to satisfy the judgment of others, namely Darcy and the Plastics, but are brought back together in the end.

Lydia Analysis

Daryl Thomas

AP English- Mr. George

13 April 2009

P and P Character Analysis

Lydia

Lydia is a naïve, vain minx that desires attention and has no concern for hurting her family’s reputation or sentiments.

Whether or not Lydia’s character is due to an improper upbringing, she holds an air of vanity: “I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I’m the tallest” (Austen 11). The narrator even describes her as one with “high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence” (46). Assimilating her mother’s aspiration for marriage, Lydia seeks to gain attention by flirting with men and showing a deep concern for marriage: “Lord! How ashamed I should be of not being married before three-and-twenty!” (216). Being indifferent to everyone else and possessing a great sense of self-importance, Lydia becomes, as Elizabeth warns Mr. Bennet, “vain, ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled” (226). Lydia’s marriage to Wickham hurt Elizabeth’s chances with Darcy and shamed the Bennet name, yet Lydia’s character remains static upon returning to Longbourn: “Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless” (305). She then uses the marriage to gain the attention of others, satisfying her vanity: “She turned from sister to sister, demanding their congratulations” (305).

Lydia is like a thrown boomerang. At first, Lydia seeks attention by flirting with men, and then she flies away with Wickham. When she returns to Longbourn, she acts in the same attention-seeking manner, demanding her sisters to congratulate her for her marriage.

Lydia is like Paris Hilton, for both flirt with many men, and gain much attention for their interactions with them.

P and P #15: Ch.16-END

"Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure" (356).

I do not agree with Lizzy's philosophy for many reasons. First, many important memories evoke negative emotions. A deceased grandmother is hard to forget when one misses their loving touch or good nature. Secondly, if one only remembers times of happiness, they will not learn a lesson from a prior mistake. For example, Dave was grounded for a month because he stole a candy bar. His punishment evoked great anger, and when he was given a second opportunity to steal candy, Dave forgot the punishment and reminisced of the pleasure from the chocolate he first stole. By following Lizzy's beliefs, Dave's punishment precipitated into vexation rather than remorse. Lastly, embracing sadness from the past can actually bring more pleasure than what is felt presently. Lizzy and Darcy have now fallen in love, but many hardships came before this. After terrible first impressions and Darcy convincing Bingley to leave Jane, love would never seem to have been a conclusion. This being said, the revolution of sentiments between Lizzy and Darcy throughout the novel is of more importance than the love itself. How could Darcy possibly want to burn a letter he sent in the midst of their development, even though it may have hurt Lizzy's feelings? I would hold that as special. All in all, it is important to remember the good times, and the bad.

Question:

From Lady Catherine's response to rumors of Lizzy and Darcy's marriage, the reader can infer that:

A. Lady Catherine approves of Lizzy

B. Lady Catherine cares for her nephew's well-being.

C. Lady Catherine is only concerned for her family's reputation.

D. Lizzy finds Lady Catherine loving.

E. Lizzy desires to be connected to Lady Catherine by marrying Darcy.

P and P #12: Ch.7-9

"She was more alive to the disgrace, which her want of new clothes must reflect on her daughter's nuptials, than to any sense of shame at her eloping and living with Wickham a fortnight before they took place" (300).

Ms. Bennet should be ashamed of the choice Lydia has made with Wickham, yet "the marriage of a daughter [...] had been the first object of her wishes" (300). Her desire to marry Lydia clouded her ability to reason. Wickham is a low-life devil who seeks only money. As soon as Ms. King received her grandfather's fortune, Wickham pounced on her money. Ms. Bennet should have cared more to find out more about this man who would be in union with her daughter for the rest of Lydia's life. Ms. Bennet was only concerned about her goal of marriage and found Mr. Wickham agreeable due to her first impression: "his manners were always so pleasing" (305). Marriage is a sacred sacrament that is not treated with much regard in this novel. Marriage binds two people together in harmony for the rest of their lives under the guardianship of God. Ms. Bennet does not look at reason or religion to see that Wickham is more of a problem than her daughter's wedding garments.

Question:

In Mr. Bennet's response to Lydia's marriage, the reader can infer that:

A. Mr. Bennet approves of Lydia's choice.

B. Mr. Bennet is unhappy with his daughter's decision.

C. Lydia will never see her family.

D. Mr. Bennet enjoyed the search he embarked to find Lydia.

E. Ms. Bennet shares the same values as Mr. Bennet.

P and P #11: Ch.3-6

"'Yes,' replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, 'but that was only when I first knew her; for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance'"(264).

Darcy cannot repress his emotions during Miss Bingley's diatribe about Lizzy's appearance. When Darcy first encountered Lizzy at the ball, Darcy says, "[Lizzy] is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me" (13). His first impression of Elizabeth was an inferior, unattractive girl, and Elizabeth perceived Darcy as an insolent, impertinent man. As the book progressed, Darcy fell in love with Elizabeth, as Elizabeth finally expressed her affection for Darcy: "never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him" (270). This shows how important it is to not judge someone on a first impression. We see many examples of this gone wrong. Darcy saw Jane as unloving due to her taciturn nature, which resulted in the marriage being called off. Elizabeth saw Wickham as a true gentleman, when he was actually in it for the money. The book even tests the reader to see if they judge on a first impression. Darcy received a negative connotation with his cold manner, and the reader grew fond of Wickham for his charm. Now, we see how quickly things can change. To reiterate a known idiom: don't judge a book by its cover.

Questions:

In Mr. Bennet's response to Lydia leaving, the reader can infer that:

A. Mr. Bennet believes Lydia has found true love.

B. Mr. Bennet feels he has fulfilled his role as a father.

C. Mr. Bennet feels responsible.

D. Mr. Bennet feels his daughters have been raised well.

E. Mr. Bennet does not find happiness in any of his daughters.

Huck Finn Essay

Sivilization

Imagine growing up to an education that taught that black people were inferior, unintelligent, repulsive, and were to be denigrated by all. Mob rule was said to be the means of settling disputes. Family rivalries were carried on through each generation with no apparent reason. The immorality that arises should be discernible, but those living in the mid-1800s South found these principles a part of life. On the other hand, Huckleberry Finn was an abnormality; he did not conform to either the civilized or uncivilized. Huck’s journey down the river portrayed his internal conflict of choosing between society’s principles and his own. The river was his means of freedom from society’s influence, providing a perspicacious perspective of the wrongs in society. The mid-1800s was an era of immorality, ignorance, and sin by those who followed societal standards, resulting in the dehumanization of blacks.

On the hierarchical structure of Southern society, blacks were placed at the lowest level. Whites, civilized or uncivilized, treated blacks with impertinence. The wealthy, educated white population owned slaves to work their plantations, while rednecks were racist against accomplished free blacks. When Pap hears that a black man was going to vote in the elections, his racist beliefs boil over: “when they told me there was a State in this country where they’d let that nigger vote, I drawed out. I says I’ll never vote agin. […] I says to the people, why ain’t this nigger put up at auction and sold?” (Twain, 37). The influence society has over Pap is evident through the diatribe against the black man. Pap even expects the man to be a slave. Society’s class structures may have been rigid, yet Jim’s journey with Huck gave an opportunity for blacks to be humanized.

Jim was no regular black man in Southern society. Upon hearing Miss Watson’s desire to sell Jim down to New Orleans, he runs away because he does not want to be separated from his family. Many whites at the time thought that blacks felt no sentiments toward anybody, yet Jim personifies all blacks by showing love for his family. This love is reiterated when he cries to Huck about hitting his deaf daughter for not listening to him:

“I fetch’ her a slap side de head dat sont her a-sprawlin’. […] I says pow! jis’ as loud as I could yell. She never budge! Oh, Huck, I bust out a-cryin’ en grab her up in my arms, en say, ‘Oh, de po’ little thing! de Lord God Almighty fo-give po’ ole Jim, kaze he never gwyne to forgive hisself as long’s he live!” (168).

Jim opened up and showed shame for hitting his daughter. Though a sad event, the black community was further humanized with the ability to have feelings. Lastly, Jim continued to express his opinion when Huck tricks him into believing he was only dreaming about Huck lost in the fog. When Jim realizes Huck lied to him, Jim feels betrayed:

“my heart wuz mos’ broke bekase you wuz los’, en I didn’ k’yer no mo’ what become er me en de raf’. En when I wake up en fine you back agin’, all safe en soun’, de tears come en I could a got down on my knees en kiss’ yo’ foot I’s so thankful. En all you wuz thinking ‘bout wuz how you could make a fool uv ole Jim wid a lie. Dat truck dah is trash; en trash is what people is dat puts dirt on de head er dey fren’s en makes ‘em ashamed” (98).

This was yet another event in which black people are humanized by Jim’s show of emotions, but more importantly, this was the first time a black man retaliated against a white man. Jim showed that blacks actually have their own opinions and feelings, like any other human being. Jim does not feel constrained by the societal structure of the South and is a symbol of the humanization of all blacks. Huck is able to see Jim as another human being and decided to help Jim, without returning him to Miss Watson: “He was a mighty good nigger, Jim was” (167). The doctor also explained that “[Jim] ain’t no bad nigger” (300) for helping him with Tom’s wounds. If anyone were to be denigrated, it should have been those who conformed to society’s standards.

When Boggs took his monthly run through town intoxicated, Colonel Sherburn murdered Boggs for his disruption. The city then rallied together to lynch Sherburn for his actions. Before going any further, the propensity to act with violence is made clear, an ever-present mannerism of Southern standards. This mob rule was shot down by Sherburn’s panegyric on the people’s lack of courage: “The pitifulest thing out is a mob; that’s what an army is- a mob; they don’t fight with courage that’s born in them, but with courage that’s borrowed from their mass” (159). Throughout the South, families and groups fought together when disputing, rallying themselves together with pride and courage, but forgetting the logic behind the decision to fight. The Grangerfords and Shepherdsons fought for ages, yet no one truly knew the reason behind their dispute or tried to make amends.

When Huck found a home at the Grangerfords, he was enveloped by a guerrilla war between two families that had no idea why they were fighting. When Huck confronted Buck and asked if the Shepherdsons ever did anything wrong against him, Buck did not know why the families started feuding: “Laws, how do I know? It was so long ago” (120). Fighting for something without a cause is meaningless and amounts to nothing. If this feud and all the death it created were acceptable to Southern society, how was it that blacks were forced into slavery? The logic here is nonsensical.

Indian civil rights activist B.R. Ambedkar said, “Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives. Man's life is independent. He is born not for the development of the society alone, but for the development of his self.” Living above the influence of society, Huckleberry Finn and Jim were able to see the South with its sin and immorality. As both characters progressed throughout the novel, both were able to gain a sense of self-worth, rather than conforming to the standards of a corrupt society. Jim humanized himself and all slaves as persons with feelings, minds, and opinions. Huck learned to think of others before himself and to direct his moral compass solely. Though Huck and Jim could not change much of the present problems, the Civil War did come soon enough to help Southern society realize their wrongdoing. Huck and Jim did leave us with a moral: “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye” (Matthew 7:5). We have to be able to identify ourselves first in order to know what we can contribute and change in our society to make the world a better place.

Sometimes being “sivilize[d]” (Twain, 307) is not the best option.

P and P #10: Ch.19-2

"It is impossible that he should still love me" (249).

As seen throughout the book, all the characters grow prejudiced based on their first impression. Lizzy grew malice toward Darcy in their first interaction when he did not dance with Lizzy due to her unattractiveness. Lizzy was attracted to Wickham on her first impression of him, which was based on his looks and manners. Lydia and Kitty are enthused over the soldiers in Meryton on their first impression. With all the prejudice about, Darcy is the only one to be unaffected by any influence. With a mind of his own, he never bases his opinion of someone on their first impression. He may have found Lizzy unattractive at the ball, yet he falls in love with her, forgetting all the negativity and inferiority that comes with Lizzy. Darcy would most definitely not judge a book by its cover. It was not until Lizzy went to Pemberley, that she was able to forget the differences of the past and show affection, acceptance, and pleasure in Darcy's love for her.

Question:

In Lizzy's reaction to Darcy's change of manner, the reader can infer that:

A. Darcy accepts that Lizzy is inferior to him.

B. Lizzy is indifferent to Darcy's love.

C. Lizzy finds harmony with Wickham.

D. Lizzy could not believe Darcy's change possible.

E. Wickham and Darcy are now friends.

P and P #9: Ch.14-18

"Lydia will never be easy till she has exposed herself in some public place or other, and we can never expect her to do it with so little expense or inconvenience to her family as under the present circumstances " (225).

In this quote, Mr. Bennet surrenders to the standards of the rigid societal structure. He accepts that one's worth judges how others view them. Elizabeth beseeches Mr. Bennet to tell Lydia to stay at Longbourn than go to Brighton. Elizabeth feels that Lydia is being corrupted by society and will become "the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous" (226). Mr. Bennet counters Elizabeth's pleas, saying that by letting Lydia go to Brighton, she will understand her place in society: "Let us hope, therefore, that her being there may teach her her own significance" (227). He even says that Lydia "is luckily too poor to be an object of prey to any body" (226). Mr. Bennet is a symbol of reason, and this may be due to his understanding of society.

Question:

In Elizabeth's departure from Hunsford, the reader can infer that:

A. Lady Catherine is haughty

B. Elizabeth holds Mr. Collins with high regard

C. Elizabeth feels jovial for Charlotte

D. Mr. Collins places his wife above Lady Catherine

E. Mr. Collins regrets not marrying Elizabeth

P and P #8: Ch.11-13

"I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself" (192).

The original title of this novel being First Impressions, we can see why a first impression is so important. Elizabeth states, "Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received many months ago from Mr. Wickham" (190). Elizabeth based Wickham's words as her first impression of Darcy. This was done without much reason, for Wickham had duped her into being sympathetic toward an agreeable gentleman as himself who had been abused by Darcy. Elizabeth, always trusting her own judgement, did not ever consider asking the truth from Darcy until the letter was given. Elizabeth's prejudice toward Darcy was completely deemed unjust, and now Elizabeth even questioned her own intellect. This goes to show how important a first impression is. Just a couple of words from Wickham about Darcy created an unjust prejudice. Here we learn to look at the big picture, rather than look close up at what looks interesting, blurring our vision of everything else.

Questions:

In Darcy's letter to Elizabeth, the reader can infer that

I. Darcy is sorry if he has hurt anybody

II. Wickham is greedy

III. Darcy seeks revenge

A. I only

B. I and II

C. I and III

D. II and III

E. I, II, and III

P and P #6: Ch.2-5

"They are young in the ways of the world, and not yet open to the mortifying conviction that handsome young men must have something to live on, as well as the plain" (150).

Mr. Wickham suddenly switched his attention from Elizabeth to Miss King due to Miss King's acquisition of ten thousand pounds after her grandfather's death. Pride and Prejudice has so far talked about what women seek in men, but now we see a glimpse of what men desire in women. This transition begins with Mr. Bingley leaving Jane for Miss Darcy. Mr. Darcy was concerned for his friend Bingley losing his reputation if he married someone of a lower class like Jane. As for Mr. Wickham, he scents affluence upon hearing the wealth of Miss King. He then immediately parts from Elizabeth and courts Miss King. We can discern that men desire a woman of equal or lower class, judged by their wealth, to maintain their reputation. In the same realm as women, men do not get the true sense of love or happiness. Bingley and Jane were a counterexample of the meaning of marriage, but other's influences broke their relationship apart. Society's rigid structure and standards of civility have greatly obscured the view of true decorum.

Question:

Jane can be described as all of the following except:

A. unbiased

B. beautiful

C. naive

D. malicious

E. positive

P and P #5: Ch.21-1

"I as only a comfortable home; and, considering Mr. Collin's character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state" (125).

The relationship that arises between Mr. Collins and Charlotte is a perfect example of the societal expectations of marriage. Charlotte says that Mr. Collins has a good background and will have a quality future for he will take control of the Longbourn estate. It was typical for women to base their marriage on such factors as wealth, rather than worry about a life of "imaginable happiness" (125). Charlotte was also desperate to find a man soon, for at the age of twenty-seven, she was nearing an age where no man would take her hand in marriage. Marriage was an important part of womanhood, and those unmarried were perceived as outcasts: "[marriage] was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune" (122).

As for Mr. Collins, the reverend sought a wife only to atone for his future ownership of the Bennet estate. He did not want any dispute with the family. When Elizabeth denied his proposal, Mr. Collins' pride was hurt, and finds the next best thing in Charlotte. Once they agree to marriage, Mr. Collins accosts the Bennet family, acting as if he has found better. Mr. Collins' selfish acts show how many men did not care for love, but used marriage only to settle disputes or grudges. There was no real sense of finding true love or happiness as we see in today's society.

Question:

In Elizabeth's response to the news of Charlotte and Mr. Collins' marriage, the reader can infer that Elizabeth

A. hates Charlotte for taking away her chance at marriage.

B. feels that this marriage has no true value.

C. will break their accord.

D. will convince Mr. Bennet to give her the estate.

E. thinks Mr. Collins will be a good husband.

P and P #3: Ch.11-16

"The world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen" (79).

The prejudice many show to Darcy did seem reasonable prior to Wickham's conversation with Elizabeth. Darcy was arrogant and conceited, qualities that were put down in the present society. Now that Wickham explained Darcy's background, I feel Darcy is being treated unfairly. Any son knows how important a relationship with their father is. A father is a role-model, someone they look up to for the rest of their life. Contrarily, Darcy did not receive as much attention or love from his father as Wickham did. For one's father to disown his only son by bequeathing his birthright to another person is heartbreaking. For this reason, it is obvious that Darcy acts in such a manner.

The quote is also a critique of the society. Everyone judges each other and talks behind other's backs. They are so critical of proper etiquette, and find those with unconventional mannerisms disrespectful and proud. Darcy is one of these men who society finds disagreeable. His fortune, speech, and actions evoke an emotion of jealousy and malice inside the people he interacts with. This is similar to the iceberg principle of morality, where we see society judging Darcy for his actions, rather than contemplating over his process.

Question:

In Wickham's conversation with Elizabeth, one can infer that Elizabeth:

A. wants to marry Wickham

B. dislikes Caroline

C. is attracted to Wickham

D. likes Darcy

E. finds Wickham disagreeable

P and P #1: Ch.1-6

"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance" (24).

We see how crazy Mrs. Bennett is over getting her daughters married, but the quote shows how society as a whole values marriage. Women do not care about permanence or true love, but an affluent gentleman that is aesthetically pleasing. Society was structured by many classes based on wealth, and wherever there was money, there were women looking to get a share of it: "a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (5). In comparison to modern times, these factors are still there, yet not as dominant. To think that women do not care whether or not they are happy with their marriage is preposterous. Obviously we can not force ourselves to keep an emotion for that long, but for it to not be a concern is ridiculous. Who would not want to be happy with their life-long spouse? Money is not true happiness. Hopefully, the people of this society will learn that love trumps money in a marriage.

Question:

In Mrs. Bennett's pursuit of Mr. Bingley, the reader can infer that Mrs. Bennett is looking for:

a) money

b) a man to run the house when Mr. Bennett dies

c) a good servant

d) her daughter's marriage

e) a trip to London

Huck Finn #6: p. 185-209

Huck:

Mary Jane warn't like many other kinna wimmen. She actially curred 'bout a body's well-bein. She even scol' lil’ Joanna when she ask much many questions. I got sum kinna strange feelin’ ‘bout that girl Mary Jane. I dunno what they called it, but I do recalls Tom Sawyer speakin’ of em stories bout the girl always being rescued by some cowboy and they be fallin’ in love. Love- was that what I be feelin’ for Mary. I had no idea, but I knews fo’ shure Tom Sawyer wouldn’t back down from a handsome lady like Mary Jane. I couldn’t let them rapscallions king and duke rob this here girl. She was too kind, and it remin’d me of what I was thinkin’ when considerin’ to turn in ole’ Huck. Mary Jane hain’t do nothin’, similaly to Miss Watson. But if I was gunna help Mary Jane, why hain’t I turn in Huck? I knew one thing; I sure as hell didn’t love Miss Watson!

Jim Dialogue

I swur thain’t nobody could survive da wil’ness like dis dere Huck. If it warn’t for him, I’d a’been down in N’O’leans.

We was ways down d’river, and Huck see dis boat stack fulla people. Dey was all white, so I get kinna scur’d dat dey was gunna see da raft. Huck tol’ me t’hid in da raft unda summa our truck. I waited der till some white genelmen ask’d Huck if dur wur an’body on da raft wid him. Huck tell da man dur hain’t nobody but himself. Den he goes along and tells ‘em ‘bout how his motha and fatha was dead from sum pois’n from sum Injun and liddle Roger Willingham was going down da river ta find him a’new place ta stay. T’was hard not ta laugh ta hear da womenfolk tell dey ‘usbands to help liddle Roger. I took a’peak throu da truck ta see da men gather dey coins and hand it ova ta Huck. Huck began ta give ‘em thanks and we was on our ways. I git up from unda da truck, and let outta chuckle. Huck Finn just take a look atta my face, and starts to laugh ‘imself ta tears. Life on da river warn’t that bad as ya thought, ya just gotta make da most of it.

Da dark was a comin’ closa, so we decided ta find a towhead ta set fo’ nite. Huck brawt da raft close to da shore and tied’d up to sum branches. We took out summa our lines ta get some fish fo’ dinna. I went ta go git sum branches for Huck ta start a fi’a. As I walking through da woods, I seen a light ways out ahead’a’me. I wunder’d ta miself what’d be. I slowly git miself closer by hidin’ behin’ sum trees and notice a strange wuman a standin’ dere. I thought bout goin’ back ta tell Huck, but I coulda ‘andle miself, methinks. I keeps goin’ on ahead, but wid each step, I kep growin’ feer. Da wuman was doin’ sum crazi danze. Was dis sum kinda witchcraft or sumthin’ like dat I’d hurd back at Miss Watson’s?

Huck Dialogue

We was going down the river, looking ahead for a towhead. The waters was rough and we took most all day to find a spot. We finally found a hidin’ place for the raft, and went ashore. Jim thought warn’t no use to stay with the raft, so we went out to the forest to find some berries. We went along a trod’en path, yet there was barely any light left with all them tall trees. We could barely see where we was going! But would Tom Sawyer head back? Of course not, Tom’d go so far through the forest till daylight come back!

We took a good long time down the path till we found a bunch o’ lil’ childen. They was playing outside a little house- four of them. Jim and I hid behind some bushes and watched them play around with some sticks and stones. After a lil’ bit, they headed on inside after some female called for them. I told Jim this was our chance to sift around fo’ some truck. As we started from the bushes, a wishhhhhhhhh flew by us. An arrow was 'rected on the ground right near Jim’s feet. We turn around see who it was, and on a horse was an Injun holdin’ a bow aimin’ right fo’ me. Jim was darn’ near broken to tears, but I tol’ Jim we could get outta this. The Injun slowly stepped toward us. I myself was darn’ near bout to wet myself. With every step the Injun took, Jim and I took one step back. Didn’t they say ya life flash befo’ ya eyes when you die? I warn’t ready to see any of that. I rememb’ Miss Watson sayin’ to pray to git anythin’ you wanted. God, Almighty, git me back to the raft in one piece! The Injun inched closer, and we had nowhere else to go. Then outta da blue came- Bang Bang Bang. The Injun fell to the ground with a thud. I warn’t gonna describe him no more. We turn aroun’ and see a man holdin’ a shotgun. The lil’ childen were standing on the porch with they mother. Was this the holy family or sunthin’?

Huck Finn #5: p. 129-157

"Let the cold world do its worst; one thing I know- there's a grave somewhere for me" (134).

When we are born, there is one thing we are assured: death. As life progresses, we are molded by family, religion, and other influences. This whole journey represents Huck's life where Huck's mindset is the river that separates his two major outside influences, Pap and the Widow Douglas with Miss Watson, on either shore. Of course some may have a good or affluent upbringing, yet some like Huck Finn suffer from childhood abuse and no proper education or role models. That is why many people commit suicide, to relieve themselves of the misery that life bears upon them. Instead of seeking death, Huck finds his relief or freedom by going on the raft with Jim. He gets away from the influences of Pap and the widow, to live his own life.

"for what you want, above all things, on a raft, is for everybody to be satisfied, and feel right and kind towards the others" (137).

As said earlier, the raft is an escape from society and the troubles of life. Here Huck and Jim can be free, and they will do whatever to make that peace and freedom remain. Huck does not bring up to the two new men that they are lying in order to preserve the peace on the raft. This goes to show how important freedom is to Huck. He will go so far as to lie to these men, who are complete strangers who were being chased for some wrongdoing, and even serve them as they order Huck and Jim to address and treat them as royalty. As Huck mentions, this is due to his upbringing: "If I never learnt nothing else out of pap, I learnt that the best way to get along with his kind of people is to let them have their own way" (137). Huck has been so affected by pap during his childhood that he will maintain his freedom at any cost.

Vocabulary:

"and then rip comes another flash and another sockdolager" (140).

sockdolager- n. a conclusive blow or remark

"they've left dead fish laying around [...], and they do get pretty rank" (130).

rank- adj. strong or offensive in odor or smell

Huck Finn #4: p. 89-129

"Well, then, says I, what's the use [of] you learning to do right, when it's troublesome to do right and ain't no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?" (104).

Huck brings up a great point, yet he only defines right in a lawful sense. If he turned Jim in, he would be following the law by bringing back someone's property. Now he thinks he has done wrong for not following the law. Huck completely forgets that their is a second part that defines what is right. Huck has morally done right by keeping Jim away from those looking for him. Slavery is an absolutely immoral practice, and Huck has done what is morally right by saving his friend from the clutches of slavery. Huck's lack of knowledge in God and morality are why his definition of right and wrong are singleminded. Maybe Huck should reconsider finding heaven, for it may direct him to what is really right.

"We said there warn't no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don't. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft" (128).

Recalling all the places Huck has been, from the cabin with Pap to the Grangerford house, Huck has never found a place he could actually call home. Pap always beat him and the Grangerfords and Shepherdsons were always killing each other; he found no peace, no freedom. As for Jim, he is a slave that is running away from Miss Watson, seeking freedom in the free states. Evidently, both Jim and Huck are on a journey down the river for freedom. Though Jim did earlier say the waters would bring misfortune, they have actually found the raft to be their safe haven. Huck and Jim always end up back on the raft with each event that occurs on the land, freeing themselves from death or more trouble. The raft has grown to become a symbol of the freedom Huck and Jim seek.

Vocabulary:

"Sometimes a stack of people would come there [...] and have such junketings round about and on the river" (118).

junketing- n. act of going or attending an extravagant trip or celebration

"There was four or five men cavorting around on their horses" (126).

cavort- v. jump or dance around excitedly

Huck Finn #3: p.47-66

"Jim said bees wouldn’t sting idiots; but I didn’t believe that, because I had tried them lots of times myself, and they wouldn’t sting me" (56).

It is sad to see that Huck views himself as an idiot. We have to remember that Huck is only twelve years old and to view himself as an idiot at this age could only foreshadow a sad future. Tom Sawyer did call him ignorant before but encouraged him to read; the Widow Douglas tried to"sivilize" (9) Huck with proper manners and an education. Though Huck was getting better, his father put him in his place and told him to forget about all that he learned. Huck may not have the best formal education, yet he did successfully escape from Pap in a very impressive way, diverting their attention with the hog blood and trail. He has a great knowledge of the outdoors and has been able to take care of himself well. Huck may be an idiot with books and writing, but he sure is a genius in the outdoors life.

"But he's lucky, dey say, en I see I warn't lucky" (57).

Jim's story about his money problems seems unbelievable due to his great belief of superstitions. Touching snakeskin or how birds fly are all omens to Jim, and they actually turn out true. It is hard to understand how Jim could have dealt with his money anymore foolishly. Unfortunately, Jim found no bad omens and found his pockets almost empty. It is somewhat humorous that a slave, one to not have much of anything, was greedy for more money. Hopefully, Jim will find something of value on his journey with Huck. As I said earlier about Huck making his own path away from good or evil, Jim is also in search of freedom, not just slavewise, but from all the distractions of life. He wants to know what works behind these omens, what makes things come true, what makes him live the life of a slave. If we remind ourselves of the obedience model of morality, God is watching our movement between good and evil. Huck and Jim have broken off this scale and are possibly headed down the river toward the man who controls prayers, the man who controls life.

Vocabulary:

"It most give me the fan-tods" (51).

fantods- n. state of extreme nervousness or restlessness

"we lolled on the grass and eat it smoking hot" (53).

loll- v. sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way 

Huck Finn #2: p.28-46

"I got to thinking that [...] I could fix up some way to keep pap and the widow from trying to follow me" (41).

Pap can be looked upon as bad and the widow can be looked upon as good. Huck has chosen to not head toward good or bad, but creating his own path. He wants to live his life away from all its hardship, away from rules, away from reality. Tom Sawyer spoke of stories that thrived on one's imagination, and this may be what Huck is looking for on his trip down the river. Huck did not love his father, and he was tired of the widow's teaching him manners. Maybe this was a chance to see if Tom's stories were true. But Huck has to remember that Jim said to stay away from the water, maybe foreshadowing an event that is to occur later. 

"They call this a govment [sic]! [..] Here's the law a-standing ready to take a man's son away from him- [...] just as that man has got that son raised at last, and ready to go to work and begin to do suthin' [sic] for him and give him a rest [...]. And they call that govment!" (36).

Pap's rants about education and literacy contradict his words. In this quotation, he is unbelievably ignorant. He is saying his child is basically his property and does not want anyone from taking what is his. He wants to use Huck so he can keep drinking while Huck works to pay for his booze. A democracy sees freedom for all people, something Pap does not understand with his illiterate and uneducated mind. He has no right to accuse the government for wrongdoing. This goes along with the black man who is richer than him that is allowed to vote. Pap can not understand how the government can let a black man vote and thinks that he should be a slave. Maybe Pap needs to learn that a black man is just another man.

Vocabulary:

"I'll take some o' those frills out o' you" (29).

frills- n.  an unnecessary extra feature or embellishment

"I'll ask him; and I'll make him pungle, too" (30).

pungle- v. to make a payment or contribution (usually money)

Huck Finn #1: p.9-27

"I didn't want him to try. I said Jim might wake up and come. But Tom wanted to resk [sic] it; so we slid in there and got three candles, and Tom laid five cents on the table for pay" (14).

This quotation shows Tom Sawyer's dominance and the immaturity of being a kid. We often see Huck questioning Tom's ideas and restraining from following his actions, but since Tom seems knowledgeable from reading many imaginative books, Huck falls under Tom's control. This goes along with the other boys. The name of their group is Tom Sawyer's Gang, another example of his dominance. They believe Tom is so educated, but Huck begins to realize that all his stories are lies. As for their immaturity, Tom and Huck are just being kids. One may think they are stealing, but they left five cents for the candles to not get into trouble. They are only having fun.

"I judged the old man would turn up again by-and-by, though I wished he wouldn't" (20).

Huck has led a hard life with his drunk father. Huck says how his father often beat him and how he would run to the woods for safety. When rumors of Huck's father being dead are brought to attention,  Huck really does not care and hopes he is dead: "I didn't want to see him no more" (20). Unfortunately, the body found was not his father's body. I believe Huck's rough childhood has a great influence to his daily mannerisms and his thought process. Huck and his friends pretend to rob and kill people. They steal and cause disruption for the Sunday school. Beyond all this, he even decides that he does not want to find God or heaven. Huck does not seem to find a father figure anywhere. This may have led to his actions and ones that are to come. This is also probably why he loves Tom because he is someone Huck can look up to: "I wanted him and me to be together" (11).

 

Vocabulary:

"So we unhitched a skiff and pulled down the river two mile and a half" (15).

skiff- n. a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat with sharp bow and square stern.

"we would lay in ambuscade" (21).

ambuscade- n. an ambush.

Final Sin Essay

Daryl Thomas

AP English- Mr. George

23 February 2009

Sin Essay

Salvation through Repentance

            Adam and Eve did not fathom the severity of taking fruit from the tree. Working the land for food, feeling pain during child labor, and shame for their bodies were something out of the ordinary in the utopian Garden of Eden, but these punishments were manageable. In actuality, they were only the first repercussions of a sin that would bring about the fall of man. Wars, slavery, death, and evil became social norms as years passed as a result of their disobedience. It was not until a starry night in the little town of Bethlehem that a Savior came to save humanity from all sin. The center of Jesus’ ministry was to repent: “I have […] come to call the […] sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Jesus preached that salvation from sin could only come through repenting for it. Under the influence of Lord Henry Wotton and Basil Hallward’s portrait, Dorian Gray could not find salvation: “The prayer of your pride has been answered. […] I worshipped you too much. I am punished for it. You worshipped yourself too much. We are both punished” (Wilde 162). The pride he felt because of the painting’s power and the evil influence of Lord Henry nourished the seed of evil in his heart. Basil did attempt to persuade Dorian to repent, yet evil had enveloped his soul, and that evil, manifested on the canvas, forced him to kill Basil. Without repenting for his sin, Dorian Gray suffered a far worse punishment than Adam and Eve- death without entrance into heaven. No one can be saved from sin without repentance.

Basil Hallward seemed to be a simpleminded artisan, yet he committed a major sin by breaking a commandment. Basil’s infatuation of Dorian Gray was unusually strong; his “mere personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it would absorb my whole nature, my whole soul, my very art itself” (8). The first commandment states, "I am the Lord, your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3). Dorian became a false idol to the painter. Through Dorian’s conversion, Basil was shown the truth of good and evil in Dorian, similar to the serpent that tempted Adam and Eve telling them “that when you eat [the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Luckily, Basil recognized his sin and confessed to Dorian of his obsession. After seeing the painting, he then prayed to God for forgiveness. Though Dorian ended up killing Basil, it can be assumed that Basil found redemption. His repentance cleared the imperfection in his soul, allowing him to pass through the gates of Heaven. Similar to Basil, John Proctor repented and found God in the end.

After committing adultery with Abigail Williams, Proctor took a step in finding absolution by confessing to his wife, Elizabeth. Though their relationship suffered greatly, Proctor had commenced his conversion from evil to good. Later when Dorian was accused of witchcraft, he confessed his adultery to Judge Danforth to prove that Abigail was only looking for revenge: “But it is a whore’s vengeance, and you must see it; I set myself entirely in your hands. I know you must see it now” (Miller 110). Proctor was then able to understand that he redeemed himself on earth and that his death would bring him to his final judgment from God: “God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are!” (142). Proctor left Salem heading toward Heaven. His repentance required much courage, but for Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, a strong self-esteem was needed to bear the ignominy of their sin.

Hester and Dimmesdale committed adultery together, yet they differed in how they dealt with their sin. Hester confessed her sin and publicly bore her actions with the scarlet A upon her chest and her daughter Pearl. While Hester and Pearl were condemned to standing on the scaffold for daily public shame, Dimmesdale hid his sin from everyone. Though he was safe from public eyes, Dimmesdale faced a far worse punishment for not repenting immediately. He would occasionally fast and scourge his body, destroying his youthful physique. When seeing Pearl, Dimmesdale would be reminded of the sin and face guilt and torment. There was also his former colleague, Roger Chillingworth, who was actually Hester’s husband. Chillingworth promised to “seek this man [that Hester cheated with], as [he] sought truth in books, as [he] sought gold in alchemy” (Hawthorne 70). Chillingworth’s punishment for this man would be unbearable.

Once Chillingworth found out Dimmesdale was the man who sinned with Hester, Chillingworth continued to keep the priest alive, in order for Dimmesdale to let the shame and guilt eat him up inside: “To sum up the matter, it grew to be a widely diffused opinion, that the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, like many other personages of especial sanctity, in all ages of the Christian world, was haunted either by Satan himself, or Satan’s emissary, in the guise of old Roger Chillingworth” (116). After all of Dimmesdale’s torment, he was able to find redemption when he showed the Election Sermon crowd the A seared upon his chest, standing with his family. Dimmesdale had repented and left the people of Boston with an important message: “[be] true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!” (231). Dimmesdale entered Heaven completing his redemption, and left earth as a prophet repeating Jesus’ message of repentance. As for Hester, she became a guidance counselor to the people of Salem and when death arrived, following Dimmesdale into Heaven. Hester and Dimmesdale found redemption to be the only way to be freed from sin. As for Roger Chillingworth, the poison of evil in his soul would not be cured.

Chillingworth dedicated his whole life to get revenge on Dimmesdale, and when the priest found his redemption and died, there was no point to his existence: “[he] had made the very principle of his life to consist in the pursuit and systematic exercise of revenge, and when, by its completest triumph and consummation, that evil principle was left with no further material to support it, when, in short, there was no more Devil’s work on earth for him to do” (232). Chillingworth was the leech that sucked the life out of Dimmesdale. Without Dimmesdale around, the leech lost all its nourishment and withered to death. Chillingworth was unable to absolve his sin and the evil in his heart remained forever. The Devil had done his work on Chillingworth and would do the same to Abigail Williams.

From vengeance to pure evil, Abigail Williams fully transformed into the Devil. The amount of sins she committed were innumerable. Abigail lied to save herself from accusations of witchcraft saying, “I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus” (Miller 48). This lie led to her falsely accusing others of witchcraft, breaking the eighth commandment: "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). These accusations gave her an opportunity to get her revenge on Elizabeth Proctor.  Her actions led to chaos in Salem and the death of innocent people. The shame and guilt of her actions were too much to handle, and Abigail decided to flee Salem to Barbados. Though she may have run away from the responsibility on earth, God would always see her sin.  Her refusal to repent resulted in her prostitution in Boston and never finding absolution. Dorian Gray had a similar fate to that of Abigail because he also never acknowledged his sin.

            When Dorian was first seated for a portrait, he was seen as a youthful, beautiful, innocent boy. Basil beseeched Lord Henry to not “spoil him. Don’t try to influence him.  Your influence would be bad” (Wilde 16). Lord Henry refused Basil’s plea and decided that “he would seek to dominate [Dorian]. […] He would make that wonderful spirit his own” (40). Dorian was then poisoned by Lord Henry’s words: “There is absolutely nothing in the world but youth!” (25). Dorian then realized how special and rare his beauty was. After seeing the portrait, Dorian grew jealous of the youth it would retain for eternity. He wishes that the portrait would age instead if himself: “For that- for that- I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my soul for that!” (28). Little did Dorian know that he would get his wish.

            When Dorian first noticed a change in the painting, he could not believe what he was witnessing: “Such things were impossible. It seemed monstrous even to think of them. And yet there was the picture before him, with the touch of cruelty in the mouth” (95). After his emotions settled, Dorian realized that the “picture [...] would be to him the visible emblem of conscience” (96). Dorian now could use the painting as a guide to see his wrongdoing and repent for his actions to find redemption. Unfortunately, Dorian strayed from this idea when he realized that he could also use the portrait to take the fall for all of his actions, even his aging: “And yet who that knew anything about Life would surrender the chance of remaining always young, however fantastic that chance might be, or with what fateful consequences it might be fraught?” (110). The portrait would also remove all feelings of guilt from his mind and allow him to sin without remorse. Dorian was then corrupted by the pride elicited from the power of the painting, leading to his sinful deeds of killing Basil and Sibyl and corrupting Alan Campbell. To hide the sin of his past, Dorian realized he had to destroy the only evidence remaining of his actions- the painting: “It would kill the past, and when that was dead he would be free” (228). Dorian would never become free after destroying the painting, for it was his only and last hope for redemption. Dorian’s life ended with his body feeling the repercussions of all his sin: “He was withered, wrinkled, and loathsome of visage” (229). Without repenting for the evil and sin in his life, Dorian Gray died without finding goodness or redemption.

             As the legendary prince Hamlet once said, “Confess yourself to heaven;/ Repent what's past; avoid what is to come/” (Hamlet 3.4.149-150). Hamlet agreed that repentance was necessary in order to circumvent suffering and to find redemption. Putting aside his evil, Dorian did say, “it was his duty to confess, to suffer public shame, and to make public atonement. There was a God who called upon men to tell their sins to earth as well as to heaven. Nothing that he could do would cleanse him till he had told his own sin” (Wilde 228). Humanity was supposed to deal with their sin and to repent, or else they would face unendurable emotional and physical suffering on earth and would never find eternal life with God within the gates of Heaven.

 

Works Cited:

Church, Episcopal. The Holy Bible. Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1903.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Books, 1986.

Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York, New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2003.

Miller, Arthur. “The Crucible”. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 1952.

Shakespeare, William “Hamlet”. Classic Books Company, 2001.