Huck Finn 4: 89-129

1.) “I couldn’t tell nothing about voices in a fog, for nothing don’t look natural nor sound natural in a fog” (94).

Huck doesn’t know that he has been in a fog his whole life. As Huck tries to paddle his boat, the current forces him in all directions and the fog prevented him from seeing anything. The current confuses him so he has no control of where he goes. The sound of Jim’s voice, led Huck to safety. Although nothing was clear, all Huck needed was guidance to find his way. Huck’s life has moved in all directions too. Living with the Widow and Miss Watson does not feel natural for Huck. He has to wear nice clothes and go to school. These concepts are new to Huck and hard for him to grasp. Huck’s father, like the current, makes it difficult for Huck to find the right path. Huck lives a life of freedom with his father, but without morals or any standards. When Huck finds a new family he hopes he reached a destination. After he finds out there is a huge dispute between two families, and part of it is his fault, he knows that’s not where he belongs. Huck is still searching, but with guidance, he will be safe soon.

2.) “It was pretty ornery preaching- all about brotherly love, and suchlike tiresomeness; but everybody said it was a good sermon” (121).

The Shepherdson’s admire the sermon they just heard, but yet they miss the point. Huck is not religious, but he still understands the message. Brotherly love means to accept and love others despite your differences. It means to be friends with everyone regardless of whom they are or where they come from. The family believed this was a good sermon, but since none of them could apply it to their lives, it was not a good sermon. Huck described the sermon as “ornery,” but that may also have been because he already knew the message. Huck loves Jim even though they have many differences. Huck is able to look past the fact that Jim is a former slave. As a result, he was able to save Jim’s life: “you’s de bes’ fren’ Jim’s ever had; en you’s de only fren’ ole Jim’s got now” (101). Huck does not understand the concept of a feud. The Shepherdson’s are nice people, so why do they kill members of another family for no reason? How can you be so kind one minute and so cruel the next?

Vocab. Words:

1.)Pensive: dreamily or wistfully thoughtful
“She was leaning pensive on a tombstone on her right elblow, under a weeping willow” (113).

2.)Pommel: the protuberant part at the front and top of a saddle.
“He had his gun across his pommel” (119).