Mock Trial Verdict Reaction

            We were told to go into the trial and set aside any preconceived notions that we may have had. I voted guilty because of the unreliable testimonies by the defense witnesses Huck, the duke, and Mark Twain, the prosecution’s argument of the books effect, and the testimony that Jim gave.

            In his testimony Huck claimed to have not been influenced by society. However, he also said that he only used the word ‘nigger’ because that was all he had ever know. Huck also said that he did not consider Jim to be his property, but on page 209 in the book he refers to Jim as “his”. Similarly, the duke’s testimony was very unreliable. He claimed to not judge anyone based on the color of his skin, but we know him to be a con-man who cannot be trusted, so why should we trust his testimony on Twain’s behalf. Mark Twain’s testimony can also not be taken as fact. In theory he is the only person who can tell us whether or not he is racist, however if he were racist, what reason would he have to tell the truth? Though he was under oath, no one could prove him wrong and he therefore could have said anything about his intent to defend himself.

            Mark Twain was an intelligent man who knew that what he was writing would create controversy. He even admitted to this under oath. The prosecution argued that the books outcome made Mark Twain racist by offending African Americans. They also argued that through the use of the word ‘nigger’ over 200 times in the novel Twain was being racist. By using this derogatory word over 200 times Twain insulted many African Americans and that is racism. Regardless of what Twain said in his testimony his novel is offensive. Satire aside he did intent to bring up a controversial topic and in doing so he was being racist.

            In my opinion the prosecution’s two strongest witnesses were Jim and Pap. Jim told the court that he was discriminated against and although he viewed Huck as a friend, he had to take care of him. Jim’s testimony was reliable because it was backed by evidence from the book. Though Jim is not the protagonist in the novel he is the only main character who is African American. Some might argue that Twain portrayed Jim as intelligent once you get to know him as a way of defending African Americans, however Jim was mistreated regardless of his intelligence or kindness. Huck and Jim were friends, however Twain did not ever portray them as equals in order to make a point. Jim’s characteristics were also defined in the book as “white characteristics”. This shows that both Twain and all of the white characters in the novel defined Jim’s only good qualities as those that would normally belong to a white person. This trial proved that because of the effects of the book Mark Twain is a racist.    

The chapters in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that star the Grangerfords contain humor, sadness, and an allusion to the play, Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. There is some subtle humor when Huck first asks Buck about the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons. “‘What was the trouble about, Buck?¾land?’ ‘I reckon maybe¾I don’t know.’ ‘Well, who done the shooting? Was it a Grangerford or a Shepherdson?’ ‘Laws, how do I know? It was so long ago’” (Twain 110).  The feud in itself is no laughing matter, however, the fact that there is no longer any living person who knows why the feud began in the first place is comical. People are killing each other and no one except for Huck even stops to ask why. Huck views the feud how most people would, as medieval. He does not understand it, but it is the only life that the Grangerfords have ever known. Though the Grangerfords are a generally happy family there are aspects of their lives that are a bit morbid.      

Both from the feud and other causes the Grangerfords have lost many family members. Emmeline was Buck’s sister and she was known for her artistic talents, primarily writing poems for the dead. Huck stumbled across Emmeline’s old room only to discover a shrine to her that was kept in perfect condition. “Poor Emmeline made poetry about all the dead people when she was alive, and it didn’t seem right that there warn’t nobody to make some about her now she was gone…” (106). On the surface the Grangerfords appear to be very happy. This quote reveals a darker side to their lives.  Though they are friendly people the Grangerfords are a bit morbid. While most people would view their relationship with the Shephersons as barbaric they do not think anything of it. The Grangerfords’ lives also contain an allusion to the play Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare.    

In the play, Romeo and Juliet, the two main characters come from rival families and get married in secret because they would never be given their parent’s blessings. This bears a striking resemblance to the scene in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in which Sophia Grangerford and Harney Shepherdson run off to get married. “‘Well, den, Miss Sophia’s run off! ‘deed she has. She run off in de night some time¾nobody don’t know jis’ when; run off to get married to dat young Harney Shepherdson’” (114). The families in both scenarios fight violently and most interactions end in death for one or both families. This is one allusion in the book that has remained timeless. The fact that Shakespeare’s plays have remained so well known adds to the timelessness of Twain’s novel. The Grangerfords give insight into the time period in which Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written. Huck gets to see both the ironic and dark sides of the Grangerfords’ lives. 

Huck Finn Post 2

The relationship between Jim and Huck throughout the novel is that of a father and son. They depend on one another to make their way north and it is evident that they also care about each other’s safety. “Come in, Huck, but doan’ look at his face- it’s too gashly.” (Twain 57). When Huck and Jim stumble across a dead body Jim looks out for Huck’s wellbeing as a father would. Jim cares about Huck’s wellbeing and does not want to see him get hurt. Jim teaches Huck many different superstitions, some of which are true. Jim told Huck that it was going to rain based off of what he saw the birds doing. Soon after, Huck said, “Pretty soon it darken up, and begun to thunder and lighten; so the birds was right about it,” (55). Jim’s knowledge of the wilderness earns him Huck’s respect and loyalty.

When Huck and Jim are discussing the story of King Solomon Huck says, “‘But I tell you you don’t get the point.’” Then Jim replies, “‘Blame de point! I reck’n I knows what I knows,’” (82). Although Jim is reluctant to change his mind Huck is still able to teach him things. Huck and Jim depend on each other in order to survive. Jim needs Huck to stay loyal to him and not turn him in to the authorities before he can reach his freedom. Huck needs Jim because Jim knows more about survival in the wilderness that Huck does. Though they are codependent Jim still acts as a father figure for Huck because Huck has never had a male role model that he could trust. Jim does need Huck in order to make his way to freedom, however it is also clear that he does not just care about Huck for purely selfish reasons. Huck and Jim have a paternalistic relationship in which the mutually support each other in order to make it through their journey to freedom.

Huck Finn Post 1

It is clear in the first few chapters of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain that Huck tries to come across as a rebel who does not take orders from anyone. However, after a while it is easy to see that Huck is all talk. I believe that Huck is independent, very superstitious, and although he is rough around the edges he actually has good intentions. While it might seem that Huck has no regards for the Widow Douglas and her attempts to straighten him out, it is apparent that Huck does not want to disappoint the widow. “… but the widow she didn’t scold, but only cleaned off the grease and clay, and looked so sorry that I thought I would behave a while if I could.”(Twain 8). This scene shows that Huck does have a guilty conscience and does not like to upset the widow by disobeying her. As I mentioned Huck is also very superstitious. When he knocks over a salt shaker and the widow will not let him toss some over his shoulder he spends the whole day worrying about it. He also worries about the return of his father.

Upon meeting Huck’s father I realized that Huck was not given any sort of chance at a normal life. Growing up, he did not have a mother and was forced to put up with constant abuse from is drunken father. “‘I’ll lay for you, my smarty; and if I catch you about that school I’ll tan you good’” (14). His father does not believe in any sort of education and ridicules Huck for having received one (however slight it may be). It is no surprise that Huck does not enjoy dressing nicely and acting civilized when his father beats him for it when he finds out. Huck’s lack of guidance forced him to be very independent and to have to be able to fend for himself at a very young age. Huck may seem impolite to most, but he was dealt a bad hand. Overall, despite being raised by an unreliable drunk Huck did turn out to be a decent person.        

Transcendentalist Society Con/Pro Essay

The Burself Islands are an appealing place to live for numerous reasons. The climate and atmosphere are both peaceful and inviting. Burself is an accepting place to live, however it could not be considered a fully transcendentalist society. Although some may believe that transcendentalist societies are possible to sustain because they require a system of government, laws, and an educational system they would not be possible in today’s world.  

It could be argued that Burself could be a fully functioning transcendentalist society because everyone has the freedom to come and go as they please. No one is trapped and forced to live in Burself. Even people who are not Burselfians can come and go. Everyone is welcome, but there is no pressure to stay. Like any other society there is no limit to what you can become, however in Burself opportunities are even vaster because it is a self sustaining society that requires everyone to explore themselves and obtain specialized careers. Burself is very accepting of people’s differences and encourages people to embrace their differences. Though all of this is true Burself, or any other society, could never actually be fully transcendentalist.        

In order to maintain some order on the islands there are chiefs in charge of each island. This means that some Burselfians have power over others. Putting some people above others places less value on the individual and starts to create a hierarchy. Also, Burself has a public education system. This makes it impossible for children to truly be themselves. Schools are necessary for a society to function properly, however, they are places of conformity and are not home to true transcendentalists. The influences of others can never be fully blocked out. This is especially true for children. No child can be a transcendentalist in a society such as this because their ideas and opinions are constantly being manipulated by their parents, teachers, and everyone else in their community.

A society as a whole cannot be transcendentalist. Transcendentalists stand out in a crowd and that is how they are identified. In any society conformity will begin to occur because it is human nature to want to fit in. Some societies are more accepting than others, but all societies must have rules and guidelines to operate properly. This is problematic because laws negate the transcendentalist aspects of Burself. On Burself there are five main actions that are prohibited, this in its self means that the society could not truly be a transcendentalist society. Transcendentalists are people who are completely true to themselves whatever that may mean and it is impossible to be yourself under a set of guidelines. Transcendentalist societies have been attempted in the past, but none have succeeded. Burself would fail as well because it would face the same problems as past societies. People cannot be forced into being themselves because that defeats the fundamental goal of transcendentalism.      

All societies require a certain amount of conformity to function. Everyone must abide by the same laws and get at least a high school education. Societies have requirements and because of that no one society can be home to only transcendentalists. Though it is a very accepting society, Burself would not stay afloat for long as a transcendentalist society because it requires a form of government, a system of laws, and some form of education. 

Dead Poets Society Post

In the movie, The Dead Poets Society, transcendentalism is encouraged. However, the drawbacks that come with standing up for what you believe in are also exemplified. In the film an English teacher named John Keating is portrayed as a fairly successful transcendentalist who desperately wants his students to also become individuals. Their school, Welton is not a place where individualism is encouraged. At one point Professor Keating is giving a lesson in the school courtyard in which he urges the boys to walk to the beat of their own drum. During this lesson another teacher looks out of his window down at the lesson with a look of disapproval. Keating, however did not stop the lesson he continued on even though his unconventional methods eventually loss him his job. Keating made a big sacrifice for transcendentalism; however an even bigger sacrifice is made by Neil Perry.

Neil also took huge risks in the film. His father wanted him to focus on his studies and would not allow him to spend his time with frivolous activities like the school newspaper. Neil decided to disregard what his father said and follow his dream of being an actor. Although Neil got to act in the play once his father found out he took Neil home and told him that he would not be going back to Welton. His father’s refusal to let him follow his heart led to Neil committing suicide. He did not even want to live his life if he couldn’t follow his own beliefs. Whit nonconformity comes consequences some more severe than others. Although it is noble to stand of for what you believe in it very well might come at a cost too great to risk.    

Transcendentalism Shirt

Wearing a shirt that expressed my oddities on Monday was a positive experience. I got some interesting looks in the hallways, but I didn’t receive any ridicule. Some people stopped me and asked to read it. Most people laughed at the fact that I had written “ginger” on my shirt. The only questions that people asked were about my having written “tumblr”. Some asked what it was and one person even asked who it was. I also had someone ask, “Shouldn’t there be an e?” that made me laugh.

The only real challenge that came with wearing my custom-made shirt was keeping the letters on. About every 10 minutes I would have to super glue a letter or two back on. All in all, my transcendentalist shirt was a success. I enjoyed making it and was not ashamed at all to wear it to school; however, just doing this did not turn me into a transcendentalist. These shirts were only a small step in the right direction towards transcendentalism.