Huck Finn 5: 129-157

1.) "Make the best o’ things the way you find ’em, says I- that’s my motto" (136).

When you are faced with a situation that you have no control over, it’s better not to complain and make the best out of the situation. The “king” says this to the “duke” hoping he won’t take his anger out on them. Huck has gone through many painful experiences, but he never complains. When his father locked him in the house, he found a way out. Instead of sitting around feeling sorry for himself, Huck took advantage of his father’s drunken nature and found a way out. Also, after Huck felt guilty for not turning Jim in, he realized something important. If he did make the “right” decision to turn him in, he would feel worse about himself. Huck made the best out of this situation by focusing on why his actions were good. This motto has a simple message: life is too short not to be happy, enjoy every moment, if you don’t like something change it.

2.) "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).

Pap has not been the greatest role model for Huck. He shows that getting drunk every night, abusing your son, and leaving your son alone for long periods of time is acceptable. If Huck follows his father’s examples he would throw his life away. Huck’s smart enough to know his father has a bad influence on him. Despite his terrible influence, one thing Huck learned from his father was to accept what others have to say. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. You do not have to agree with them, but you have to respect them. Huck used this lesson before. While he and Jim disagree over Solomon, Huck lets Jim keep his beliefs. There is no use trying to persuade someone into believing something they refuse to accept. It is obvious to Huck that the two men they meet are not really a king and a duke. If Huck points this out to them there will be a conflict which will lead to an ongoing argument. The best way to prevent a dispute is to not go against other’s ways.


Vocab. Words:

1.) Galoot: an awkward, eccentric, or foolish person.
“Next you’d see a raft sliding by, away off yonder, and maybe a galoot on it chopping” (130).

2.) Phrenology: a psychological theory or analytical method based on the belief that certain mental faculties and character traits are indicated by the configurations of the skull
“Take a turn at mesmerism and phrenology when there’s a chance” (133).