Monday, March 9, 2009

To Page 157

1.) crick - (n.) variant of creek (dictionary.com)

"and paddled about a mile up a crick amongst the cypress woods, to see if I couldn't get some berries" (Twain 131).

2.) contrite - (adj.) caused by or showing sincere remorse (dictionary.com)

"come with contrite heart!" (143).
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1.) "If I never learnt[sic] nothing else out of pap[sic], I learnt[sic] that the best way to get along with this kind of people is to let them have their own way" (137).

This is Huck's reaction when he discovered that the "duke" and "king" had lied about their positions. This ties into the recurring theme of fantasy that is ever present throughout the text. As previously mentioned, Jim believed wholeheartedly in superstition. Now, there comes two strangers, one claiming to be a king and the other a duke. At this time, Huck looks back to what his father taught him. Apparently, he says to let people who lie about their positions have their way. This relates to earlier times, when Huck touched the snakeskin and Jim got bitten. Perhaps that was a sign of the hardships that Jim and Huck would have to overcome on their way north. Perhaps, by meeting the king and duke, they will only stall Jim's dream of getting north. Possibly, they might aid Jim, since they could bring more money to the cause.

2.) "Handcuffs and chains would look still better on Jim, but it wouldn't go well with the story of us being so poor. Too much like jewelry. Ropes are the correct thing - we must preserve the unities, as we say on the boards" (146).

This quote relates to the themes of freedom and bondage. As of yet, the king and duke are helping Huck and Jim to get north. They are making money with all sorts of pranks and scams, and they thought up a way to travel north by day. Such a method involved tying Jim up during the day when they traveled, so that passers by would think he was a captured runaway slave who was being returned. However, if what Jim wants is freedom, it seems that he has to endure the shackles of slavery all over again. With the case of the king at the mass saying he was a pirate who would change his ways, it is clear that the king and duke are con artists. Even their titles are fake. If Jim and Huck place their trust in the king and duke, they may be led the wrong way. As a part of their plan, the duke posted a reward for finding Jim. As it seems, the duo is always clamoring for money. Chances are, their plan is to turn Jim in to get themselves even more, and maybe even find a place for Huck, which could supply them with even more.

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