The Adventures of Huckleberry Reflection

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is widely regarded by many as a classic in literature. However, there are also many people who believe it is racist. People believe Mark Twain spoke through the character Huck in the text to get his racist beliefs out. The truth is Huck and Twain’s point of views are completely different, and Mark Twain did not mean for it to seem as though he was speaking through him.
Through the years this book was criticized as people thought it and its author were racist. But, Mark Twain chose the narrator, a child, for a reason. A child is innocent and does not know any better if he says something "right" or "wrong." This point gets stronger when you put that child in the time that the story was written. Back then, people were racist and did not even really know it. It is obvious Huck’s young mind was influenced by the people around him at the time as well. So, Mark Twain chose this character as a narrator to really give an inside look on how people thought back then and how easily influenced a child was then and is today.
Another prime example in the story that shows Mark Twain is not racist or speaking through Huck is when Huck decides to save Jim. Throughout the story Huck debates with himself whether or not he should save Jim. These times really show how the parts of Huck that had not yet been influenced come out and triumph over the parts that had. This part of the book really shows who Huck truly is. This character development was very well done to show how a child’s mind works. Some one who is racist and wants to speak through character in the book could not have done this. Even if Twain spoke through Huck, if he was racist, he would not have resolved the conflict to save Jim.
Finally, Mark Twain’s goal was not to speak through Huck. He simply wanted to show how people actually thought back then and how an innocent child was influenced by it. People who disagree simply did not think deeply enough to get meaning from this classic piece of literature. It is sad that people do not want to see what this book was all about instead of actually accusing it of being racist. Hopefully someday people will be more accepting and realize that they were wrong about the book and children everywhere will be able to read it in school with no questions asked.

Vocab. 9

Accord

accord - a harmonious union of sounds, colors, etc.

I chose this picture of the band Alice In Chains for the word accord for a very specific reason. They were one of the first heavy metal bands to have harmonizing vocals. The guitarist and lead singer would harmonize their singing in most of their songs to make a really cool sound.

Bias

bias - a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.

I chose this picture because Fox News shows a strong bias on political issues presented on the program, even though news SHOULD be unbiased.

Objectivity

objectivity - external reality.

I chose this picture because objectivity is everything around us. It is the things that are outside of our mind and what we live in.

Vocabulary 8

Renegade

Renegade - An outlaw; a rebel.

I chose this picture for the word renegade for a simple reason: Jack Sparrow is a true renegade. He rejects the "rules" and does what ever will benefit himself, and will commit many crimes in order to do so.

Tranquility

Tranquility - quality or state of being tranquil; calmness; peacefulness; quiet; serenity.

This is a picture of a hiker at the top of Mount Fuji at sunrise. When I grow up, I hope to climb mountains across the world and watch a sunrise at the top of one. To me, this would be one of the few tranquil moments I could experience. You feel like you ar floating on top of everything else, and it is the most calm part of the day--sunrise.

Stereotype

Stereotype - a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group.

There are many stereotypes people have towards groups of people. The example I chose to use was the American stereotype. Many people from outside the United States believe all Americans are rednecks. This is why I chose this redneck cat picture. It sickens me that people outside of the country associate every citizen with the redneck stereotype. What is worse is that there are many worse stereotypes people actually have in this day in age towards races, cultures, and religions.

Writing In Reverse

The guy I chose is wearing a Tool T-shirt (far left). So, it is quite obvious he is a fan of the band. Or is he? The truth is, he is wearing that T-shirt to cover up his true music tastes. The whole reason he is going on the subway is to see a concert. But, it is not a concert you think a fan of Tool would go to. This young man is in fact attending a Hannah Montana concert. He has been a huge fan of the pop princess since he first saw her show on the Disney Channel. He knows that if his very few amount of friends found out about this, they would leave him. But, there is even more truth to be told. His friends are also secret Hannah Montana fans, and they will all be attending the same concert, attempting to hide it from each other. It's very likely that the three friends will run into each other at this concert revealing the truth about all of them. This event will teach them a valuable lesson about being themselves in front of each other instead of hiding what's inside.