“There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved” (Sand). For thousands of years people have gotten married for different reasons. Someone with a prudent motive for marriage is looking for stability and help. Another person might be searching for money or other rewards, in which their marriage would be based on mercenary motives. Today, almost half of all marriages fail because they lack one thing: love. Love is an essential part of marriage, and without it, a marriage is destined to fail. Without love a marriage would be dark, dull, and tedious. Love is universal and fills our hearts with joy. In Pride and Prejudice the motives for marriage vary, but one thing is always certain: a marriage filled with love is a marriage filled with happiness and everything you need.
Marriage is a lifelong commitment; lifelong commitments should never be rushed. In Lydia Bennet’s mind, marriage was a competition. If marriage was a race, even though Lydia was married first, she would have lost. Lydia should have used the lesson slow and steady wins the race. In the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, an overconfident rabbit challenges a tortoise to a race. The hare enters the race, thinking he’s already won. Similarly, Lydia, pompous and conceited, believed she had the most successful marriage. Lydia thought her sisters had no chance of finding a happy marriage: “I only hope they may have half my good luck” (Austen 307). The hare thought he was so far ahead, he took a break. Elizabeth, similar to the tortoise, took her time in marriage. She was cautious and waited for the one she loved. While Lydia was busy applauding herself, she failed to realize Elizabeth had far surpassed her. It was too late for Lydia to get back in the race, she already lost. Lizzy made sure her love was real and although waiting for love may take a long time, it is worth it in the end.
If you marry someone for the wrong reasons, your marriage is destined to fail. The main motive behind Lydia and Wickham’s marriage was mercenary. Without money, Wickham would have no reason to stay and support Lydia. Wickham proved that he only wanted money after he shifted his love from Lizzy to Miss King: “he paid her not the smallest attention till her grandfather’s death made her mistress of this fortune” (153). Wickham agreed to marry Lydia after Darcy promised him a small fortune and a job. Money can buy a lot of things, but it cannot buy love or happiness. Without happiness and stability, how can a marriage last?
Lydia believed she was in love, but she was clearly wrong. She was not looking to marry someone for love; she was looking for other rewards. She mistook her love for infatuation because “love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude” (I Corinthians 13:4-5). Lydia did not allow enough time for her emotions for Wickham to develop. She rushed her marriage, convinced that everything would be perfect. If she allowed herself more time, she would have learned Wickham’s true nature and found a better match. Lydia had a desire to get married before her sisters because she was envious of them: “Jane, I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman” (Austen 307). Lydia could not have been in love because if she was, she would not need to brag about it, “I am sure my sisters must all envy me” (307). While Lydia was pleased with herself, Elizabeth expressed her disdain, “I do not particularly like your way of getting husbands” (307). Elizabeth knew the only way to a happy marriage is to marry for true love.
Things may have been alright for Lydia and Wickham in the beginning, but their marriage would not last long. Lydia married based on infatuation, and since infatuation is a feeling it cannot last forever: “his affection for her soon sunk into indifference: hers lasted a little longer” (374). Lydia was impulsive, arrogant, and oblivious. Wickham was selfish, deceiving, and unreliable. Consequently, the marriage was dying before it even started. Lydia constantly visited her sisters, and Wickham frequently enjoyed himself in London or Bath. This indicates that they were both unsatisfied and looked for an escape to their marriage. Their main motive for marriage was based on vanity and money; as a result, Lydia and Wickham were miserable and did not get the happy, successful, prosperous marriage she was hoping for.
Finding that one special person that loves you and you love back is not always easy. In Charlotte’s case she did not have the time or the patience to wait for someone. Her choices were limited because she was not beautiful and she was getting older. It was best for her to marry the first person who proposed and could provide for her. Charlotte was satisfied because in her opinion, “happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance” (24). Charlotte was wrong though because happiness in marriage is not a matter of chance, it is entirely predictable. If there is love, there will be happiness.
Mr. Collins could not have felt any kind of love for Charlotte because moments earlier he proposed to Elizabeth. Their marriage could be described as a prudent marriage for it makes sense, but lacks emotion. Charlotte just wanted a comfortable home, financial, and social security. She did not care much for her happiness; she made it clear when she claimed, “considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.” (125). Though the marriage is convenient, and Mr. Collins’s will provide some things for her, he can never provide her with happiness.
Is sacrificing your happiness for stability in a marriage worth it? To Elizabeth mercenary and prudent motives are the same: “What is the difference in matrimonial affairs, between the mercenary and the prudent motive?” (153). They are different in many ways; however, they are the same in the fact that neither one will bring pleasure. Turning down two marriage proposals, Lizzy is not willing to marry for any reason other than love.
A marriage without love is like a day without sunshine. Just as we need sunshine to survive, we need love. Sunshine brightens everything up, makes us feel warm, and most importantly brings us happiness. Elizabeth and Darcy married for love, “I do, I do like him, I love him” (364). As a result, Elizabeth is “the happiest creature in the world” (369). On day’s the sun is not shining everything is dark, depressing, and boring. A marriage that lacks affection is like a cloudy day. If you have never seen the sun, you do not know what you are missing. Charlotte married for prudential motives, hoping she would receive the most happiness: “I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state” (125). She might be content, but she will never beam with joy. Cloudy days do not prevent us from doing anything, and Charlotte’s marriage provided her with what she needed. Unfortunately, cloudy days are boring and depressing, just like Charlotte’s marriage. Once you experience the warmth of the sun, you never want it to go away. If Lizzy’s marriage is like a beautiful day, Lydia’s marriage is like a hurricane. Just as a hurricane destroys everything, Lydia’s marriage destroyed everything. Once a hurricane hits, it takes years to recover. Mercenary motives will get you nowhere; they can only hold you back.
The mercenary motive behind Mr. and Mrs. Bennett’s marriage proved to be unsuccessful. The only joy Mr. Bennett got out of their marriage was making fun of his wife. He married Mrs. Bennett for her youth and beauty. Unlike love, youth and beauty do not last forever. Once it’s gone, what are you left with? Mr. Bennett was left with nothing: “respect, esteem, and confidence had vanished forever; and all his views of domestic happiness were overthrown” (231). Life is too short not to be happy; therefore, marry someone you love and there is nothing to fear. Elizabeth was blind to her parents sorrow, but Lydia noticed it. Since, Mrs. Bennett’s only goal in life was to get her daughters married, Lydia was in a rush to do so. The Bennett’s provided a poor example of married life. Consequently, Lydia did not know what to expect, would blindly enter a marriage, and would make the same mistake as her parents.
“What counts in making a happy relationship is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility” (Goleman). If a married couple responds to their incompatibility with love, they will be successful. In Charlotte’s eyes, “it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.” Instead, you should learn to love and embrace their faults. Darcy’s ability to overcome the fact that Elizabeth comes from a poor, obnoxious, disgraceful family shows he truly loves her and will never leave her. To marry for love meant Darcy would have to suffer the most. He angered his aunt, he lowered his social status, and he became brothers with the man he most despised, all out of love. He sacrificed so much for her, but it did not affect his optimism. Likewise, Bingley sacrificed his social status and disappointed his sister to marry Jane. You would expect people dealing with these challenges to be disappointed, ashamed, and frustrated. This is not the case though; Bingley and Darcy are the happiest of all. Even if you lose everything, all you need is love to be happy.
Since marriage is a lifelong commitment, it is beneficial to base a marriage on something that lasts forever. Unlike money, stability, or infatuation, unconditional love is everlasting: “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:7-8). Love never fails; therefore, if you have love in your marriage, your marriage can never fail. If you have love, what else do you need? Love brings trust, happiness, loyalty, and respect. The best part about love is that it brings all these things and no one can take them away from you. Money or stability will not make your problems go away. Love will always help you get through them.
"To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." (www.bible.org) As soon as you say these words, you are committed to your husband or wife for the rest of your life. Love in a marriage will make the difference between a life of success and a life of misery. Lydia and Wickham married out of mercenary, and for that they do not have the happy ending they each wanted. Mr. and Mrs. Collins might be content, but they will never know what true happiness is. Lizzy and Darcy, and Bingley and Jane, married for love; therefore, they will be most rewarded. No marriage is flawless, but a marriage with love is very close.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Character Description: Mr. Darcy
Mr. Darcy may be everything a woman wants, until he reveals himself as proud; however, those who took the time to get to know him learned that he is not proud, but compassionate, charming, and intelligent.
Darcy is the extremely wealthy owner of the Pemberley Estate in Derbyshire. He is attractive, but he often makes a bad first impression on strangers. His silence makes him come off as conceited and egotistical. In reality, Darcy is just uncomfortable around new people. Overtime, Darcy becomes comfortable with others and reveals his true nature. He is caring, supportive, and thoughtful. Darcy paid Wickham three times the amount he deserved and put him through school. Although Darcy’s high position in society allows him to marry someone of an equal status, he puts everything aside for Elizabeth. He loves her for who she is and not what she has or where she comes from. All out of love, Darcy saved Elizabeth and her family from being disgraced. Darcy’s actions saved the Bennett’s of “a world of trouble and economy” (365). Marrying someone despite the fact that they have an obnoxious family and little money is the most humble thing a man can do.
Darcy is like a rainbow after a storm. In order to have a rainbow, there needs to be rain first. In the beginning, Darcy is like a storm, he is haughty, critical, and vain. Just as rain cannot last forever, Darcy does not stay like this forever. A rainbow slowly emerges from the clouds. After Elizabeth’s accusations and rejection, Darcy unveils his true personality. Darcy slowly emerges as a kind, compassionate gentleman. Darcy and rainbows have the ability to brighten everything up. The people who do not wait out the storm will never see the rainbow. Likewise, the people who are too quick to judge Darcy will never see the true him: “Indeed he has no improper pride. He is perfectly amiable” (364). They say at the end of a rainbow there is a pot of gold. Rainbows and people like Darcy are hard to find. Elizabeth was lucky to meet Darcy; in falling in love with him, she has found a pot of gold.
Darcy is like Johnny Depp because they are wealthy, talented, handsome, and quiet. They are perfect, but because of Darcy’s silence and Depp’s anti-conformity within Hollywood, they are accused of being proud. In reality, both men are genuine and compassionate who do not care much about societal standards; all they want is a normal life filled with happiness.
Darcy is the extremely wealthy owner of the Pemberley Estate in Derbyshire. He is attractive, but he often makes a bad first impression on strangers. His silence makes him come off as conceited and egotistical. In reality, Darcy is just uncomfortable around new people. Overtime, Darcy becomes comfortable with others and reveals his true nature. He is caring, supportive, and thoughtful. Darcy paid Wickham three times the amount he deserved and put him through school. Although Darcy’s high position in society allows him to marry someone of an equal status, he puts everything aside for Elizabeth. He loves her for who she is and not what she has or where she comes from. All out of love, Darcy saved Elizabeth and her family from being disgraced. Darcy’s actions saved the Bennett’s of “a world of trouble and economy” (365). Marrying someone despite the fact that they have an obnoxious family and little money is the most humble thing a man can do.
Darcy is like a rainbow after a storm. In order to have a rainbow, there needs to be rain first. In the beginning, Darcy is like a storm, he is haughty, critical, and vain. Just as rain cannot last forever, Darcy does not stay like this forever. A rainbow slowly emerges from the clouds. After Elizabeth’s accusations and rejection, Darcy unveils his true personality. Darcy slowly emerges as a kind, compassionate gentleman. Darcy and rainbows have the ability to brighten everything up. The people who do not wait out the storm will never see the rainbow. Likewise, the people who are too quick to judge Darcy will never see the true him: “Indeed he has no improper pride. He is perfectly amiable” (364). They say at the end of a rainbow there is a pot of gold. Rainbows and people like Darcy are hard to find. Elizabeth was lucky to meet Darcy; in falling in love with him, she has found a pot of gold.
Darcy is like Johnny Depp because they are wealthy, talented, handsome, and quiet. They are perfect, but because of Darcy’s silence and Depp’s anti-conformity within Hollywood, they are accused of being proud. In reality, both men are genuine and compassionate who do not care much about societal standards; all they want is a normal life filled with happiness.
Character Description: Lydia Bennett
Impulsive, arrogant, and thoughtless, Lydia Bennett rushes into everything unaware of the pain she is causing others.
Lydia is the youngest Bennett sister and completely oblivious to the fact that her actions have the potential to ruin her families and her own reputation. Her main objective in life is socializing and marriage. For almost a year, Lydia “has been given up to nothing but amusement and vanity” (Austen 274). Engaging in every pleasure, she and her sister Kitty enjoy flirting with the officers stationed at Meryton. Eventually, Lydia is seduced by Wickham and runs away with him. Her reckless behavior has a negative effect on her family and how others view her family. She takes everything away from her sisters, but yet she still expects to be applauded.
Lydia is like an unknowing boat about to go down a waterfall. Everything may be fine now, but in a short while, it will come crashing down. Currently, everything is smooth sailing for Lydia. She has gotten married; therefore, she is pleased with herself and expects everyone else to feel the same. Unfortunately, Lydia does not realize what is ahead of her. Her personality is the same as a waterfall: “untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless” (305). Her relationship will not last, and she will not be happy for long. Things are about to take a turn for the worst. Everyone can see the waterfall, but Lydia.
Lydia resembles Lindsay Lohan because they both have made huge mistakes, feel no remorse for their actions, do not realize what they are doing effects more people than themselves, and believe they deserve respect because of their position. In order to receive admiration, they need to get their act together and start taking responsibility for their actions before something much worse happens.
Lydia is the youngest Bennett sister and completely oblivious to the fact that her actions have the potential to ruin her families and her own reputation. Her main objective in life is socializing and marriage. For almost a year, Lydia “has been given up to nothing but amusement and vanity” (Austen 274). Engaging in every pleasure, she and her sister Kitty enjoy flirting with the officers stationed at Meryton. Eventually, Lydia is seduced by Wickham and runs away with him. Her reckless behavior has a negative effect on her family and how others view her family. She takes everything away from her sisters, but yet she still expects to be applauded.
Lydia is like an unknowing boat about to go down a waterfall. Everything may be fine now, but in a short while, it will come crashing down. Currently, everything is smooth sailing for Lydia. She has gotten married; therefore, she is pleased with herself and expects everyone else to feel the same. Unfortunately, Lydia does not realize what is ahead of her. Her personality is the same as a waterfall: “untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless” (305). Her relationship will not last, and she will not be happy for long. Things are about to take a turn for the worst. Everyone can see the waterfall, but Lydia.
Lydia resembles Lindsay Lohan because they both have made huge mistakes, feel no remorse for their actions, do not realize what they are doing effects more people than themselves, and believe they deserve respect because of their position. In order to receive admiration, they need to get their act together and start taking responsibility for their actions before something much worse happens.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
P& P# 13: 10-12
“Will you be very angry with me, my dear Lizzy, if I take this opportunity of saying (what I was never bold enough to say before) how much I like him?” (315).
Just when Elizabeth thought Darcy couldn’t get any better, he does. Lydia ruined a secret by telling her sisters that Mr. Darcy was at her wedding. Elizabeth eagerly wrote a letter to her aunt for details, and luckily she received a response as soon as possible. The letter Mrs. Gardiner wrote revealed an important part of Darcy’s character. He was responsible for finding the location of Lydia and Wickham. Once he found them, he tried to convince Lydia to leave and return home. After she refused, he persuaded Wickham to marry her. Darcy knew that if Lydia married Wickham, Elizabeth’s family would be less disgraced. Wickham is the one man whom Darcy absolutely despises. Since Wickham had no intention of marrying Lydia, the only way to get him to do so would be to pay him. Darcy did this all out of love for Elizabeth. He is better than anything Elizabeth could ever ask for. In fact, he is too good. Elizabeth had her chance, but she ruined it by rejecting his proposal in the rudest possible way. She has only herself to blame. Elizabeth lost all hope of marrying Darcy when he came to their house “silent, grave, and indifferent” (328). Elizabeth knows Darcy is perfect for her, but because of the reasons he gave her before in addition to Wickham becoming a part of her family, Darcy can no longer associate himself with her. This is hard on Lizzy because there is nothing worse than wanting something you cannot have.
How does Jane feel toward Bingley?
A.)She is cautious because she does not want to mistake his feelings for her again.
B.)Too much time has passed and she sees him as nothing more than a friend
C.)She loves him more than ever before
D.)She hates him because he left her without giving a reason
E.) He has no impact on Jane. She sees him as a complete stranger.
Just when Elizabeth thought Darcy couldn’t get any better, he does. Lydia ruined a secret by telling her sisters that Mr. Darcy was at her wedding. Elizabeth eagerly wrote a letter to her aunt for details, and luckily she received a response as soon as possible. The letter Mrs. Gardiner wrote revealed an important part of Darcy’s character. He was responsible for finding the location of Lydia and Wickham. Once he found them, he tried to convince Lydia to leave and return home. After she refused, he persuaded Wickham to marry her. Darcy knew that if Lydia married Wickham, Elizabeth’s family would be less disgraced. Wickham is the one man whom Darcy absolutely despises. Since Wickham had no intention of marrying Lydia, the only way to get him to do so would be to pay him. Darcy did this all out of love for Elizabeth. He is better than anything Elizabeth could ever ask for. In fact, he is too good. Elizabeth had her chance, but she ruined it by rejecting his proposal in the rudest possible way. She has only herself to blame. Elizabeth lost all hope of marrying Darcy when he came to their house “silent, grave, and indifferent” (328). Elizabeth knows Darcy is perfect for her, but because of the reasons he gave her before in addition to Wickham becoming a part of her family, Darcy can no longer associate himself with her. This is hard on Lizzy because there is nothing worse than wanting something you cannot have.
How does Jane feel toward Bingley?
A.)She is cautious because she does not want to mistake his feelings for her again.
B.)Too much time has passed and she sees him as nothing more than a friend
C.)She loves him more than ever before
D.)She hates him because he left her without giving a reason
E.) He has no impact on Jane. She sees him as a complete stranger.
Monday, April 6, 2009
P& P #12: 7-9
“Ah! Jane, I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman” (307).
As Lydia returned home, she failed to acknowledge all the pain and suffering she caused her family. Her father did not want to associate with her and her sisters were uneasy upon seeing her. Mrs. Bennett on the other hand, could not be happier because one of her daughters accomplished her goal of marriage. In truth, Lydia got married for all the wrong reasons. She was too careless and impulsive to know what a happy marriage would take. In Lydia’s perverse mind she was better than her sisters because she married first. Lydia may be married, but she is far from victorious. Lydia thought that Wickham was absolutely charming, but she just fell into his deceitful trap: he is after her money. Lydia was envious of her sisters and by marrying first she thought she would be above them. Similarly, Caroline was jealous of Elizabeth and tried to put herself above her. Just because you put other people down, does not make you better. It actually makes you worse. For example, Caroline’s actions made Darcy despise her more just as Lydia’s actions made Elizabeth despise her more. Lydia will never take Jane’s place, she will never be better; she is the one who must go lower.
“He was to come there with Wickham, you know” (309).
Who was at Lydia’s wedding that surprises Elizabeth?
A.) Mr. Bingley
B.) Mr. Collins
C.) Mr. Darcy
D.)Mr. Bennett
E.) Mr. Gardiner
As Lydia returned home, she failed to acknowledge all the pain and suffering she caused her family. Her father did not want to associate with her and her sisters were uneasy upon seeing her. Mrs. Bennett on the other hand, could not be happier because one of her daughters accomplished her goal of marriage. In truth, Lydia got married for all the wrong reasons. She was too careless and impulsive to know what a happy marriage would take. In Lydia’s perverse mind she was better than her sisters because she married first. Lydia may be married, but she is far from victorious. Lydia thought that Wickham was absolutely charming, but she just fell into his deceitful trap: he is after her money. Lydia was envious of her sisters and by marrying first she thought she would be above them. Similarly, Caroline was jealous of Elizabeth and tried to put herself above her. Just because you put other people down, does not make you better. It actually makes you worse. For example, Caroline’s actions made Darcy despise her more just as Lydia’s actions made Elizabeth despise her more. Lydia will never take Jane’s place, she will never be better; she is the one who must go lower.
“He was to come there with Wickham, you know” (309).
Who was at Lydia’s wedding that surprises Elizabeth?
A.) Mr. Bingley
B.) Mr. Collins
C.) Mr. Darcy
D.)Mr. Bennett
E.) Mr. Gardiner
Sunday, April 5, 2009
P& P #11: 3-6
“But that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance” (264).
There is no one in the world that can make Darcy feel the way that Elizabeth makes him feel. He has never fallen out of love with Elizabeth and Miss Bingley’s criticisms of her only make his affection for Elizabeth stronger. Miss Bingley attacks Elizabeth for all her imperfections out of jealousy. She tried to put herself above Elizabeth, so Darcy would think he made a mistake. This was the worst thing Caroline could do to make Darcy love her. Caroline’s discourteous nature showed Darcy exactly why he loves Elizabeth. Elizabeth is beautiful on the inside and out. Caroline lacks everything that makes Elizabeth beautiful. Elizabeth has always been pretty, but her genuine nature makes her stunning. Darcy’s ability to stand up to Caroline shows he will always defend and protect Elizabeth no matter what.
Lydia leaves a letter to whom indicating she is getting married to Wickham:
A.) Jane
B.) Mrs. Bennett
C.) Elizabeth
D.) Colonel Forster’s wife
E.) Mrs. Gardiner
There is no one in the world that can make Darcy feel the way that Elizabeth makes him feel. He has never fallen out of love with Elizabeth and Miss Bingley’s criticisms of her only make his affection for Elizabeth stronger. Miss Bingley attacks Elizabeth for all her imperfections out of jealousy. She tried to put herself above Elizabeth, so Darcy would think he made a mistake. This was the worst thing Caroline could do to make Darcy love her. Caroline’s discourteous nature showed Darcy exactly why he loves Elizabeth. Elizabeth is beautiful on the inside and out. Caroline lacks everything that makes Elizabeth beautiful. Elizabeth has always been pretty, but her genuine nature makes her stunning. Darcy’s ability to stand up to Caroline shows he will always defend and protect Elizabeth no matter what.
Lydia leaves a letter to whom indicating she is getting married to Wickham:
A.) Jane
B.) Mrs. Bennett
C.) Elizabeth
D.) Colonel Forster’s wife
E.) Mrs. Gardiner
Huck Finn Essay
Does everything you are taught have to be true? Since no one knows everything, how can we find correct answers? It is very simple: “You can either ask the question, or experience the answer” (Oneness University). The only way to teach yourself what is right from wrong is through experience. What is the point of asking a question, if what they tell you is wrong? Experience is the only way to learn for yourself because even if you fail at first, you will not forget the lesson. Almost all knowledge comes from experience. Huck experienced more in a couple of months, than most people do in a lifetime. The journey Huck embarked on, the people he encountered, and the events he witnessed taught him more about the corrupted society he lived in than all the books and teachers in the world could.
Huck was constantly being told his father had a bad influence on him. Though this was true, it would not have a strong impact on Huck if he did not experience any abuse or neglect himself. It is rather clear to Huck that he lives in a corrupted society based on his father’s insolent actions: “He chased me round and round the place, with a clasp-knife, calling me the Angel of Death and saying he would kill me and then I could come for him no more” (Twain 39). Even though Huck’s father had a negative effect on him, he taught him a valuable lesson. Pap was the perfect example of how not to live by. Pap’s unwillingness to be honest encouraged Huck to be: “don’t ask me nothing- then I won’t have to tell no lies” (25). Pap’s death showed that nothing good comes out of telling lies, being intoxicated, or being abusive.
Huck learned a few lessons from society; however, they were not practiced by most members. Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas taught Huck that he “must help other people, and do everything [he] could for other people, and look out for them all the time, and never think of [himself]” (19). Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas were good people, but they supported slavery, the worst form of discrimination. Tom is Huck’s best friend and another person corrupted by society. Tom is everything that Huck is not. While Huck is realistic and independent, Tom is stubborn and imaginative. Most of Tom’s ideas are formulated from the books he reads, and not from practice. He does everything based on what the book says, which prevents him from formulating his own opinions. While having fun with one another, Huck asks a question, “Ransomed? What’s that?” Tom replies with the answer, “I don’t know. But that’s what they do. I’ve seen it in books; and so of course that’s what we’ve got to do” (17). Contradictory, Huck has no influence from books and devises his opinions based on experience. Even though the boys are just pretending, Tom should think more carefully about his actions because impulsive procedures never have good outcomes. Huck’s ability to look at everything practically allows him to see the best option.
Why would you kill someone based on an old family feud you know nothing about? As absurd as it seems, the Grangerford family Huck encounters does exactly this. A Grangerford son, Buck, is the civilized Huck. They are intelligent, adventurous, and courageous. The concept of a feud is challenging for Huck to understand: “‘Well, then, what did you want to kill him for?’ ‘Why nothing-only it’s account of the feud’” (120). Even though the family is civilized, wealthy, and religious, they are still corrupted by society. This adventure taught Huck a painful lesson that even kind people can act cruel because of society’s standards. Buck’s death proved to Huck that it does not matter how much money you have or who you are, if you follow the rules bestowed by society, you will suffer.
What better way to show you are corrupted by society than by claiming you are a duke or a king? Even though Jim and Huck were the ones to save two men who claimed these titles, these men still attempted to appear on a higher level. It was obvious to Huck that the men were lying; however, Jim was oblivious. Their odious actions were encouraged by a greedy desire for wealth and power. Their longing for prosperity forced them to imitate the British family members of a deceased man. They did this for one purpose only, to obtain his money. In what society is it right to steal innocent people’s money? Through their actions, Huck learned another valuable lesson; you get what you deserve. Jim warned the town that the King and the Duke were impostures. As a result, the men were quickly confiscated and tarred and feathered for trying to steal people of their money. The Duke taught Huck an unforgettable lesson: “Make the best o’ things the way you find ’em” (136). His motto had a simple message, be happy with what you have, enjoy every moment, and if you do not like something you have the ability to change it. If Huck does not like society’s standards, he does not have to fulfill them.
Jim was a former slave and because of this, he was not accepted by society. This did not stop Jim from becoming Huck’s best friend though. Jim took care of and protected Huck on their journey down the river. How can a society want to harm a person with such kind intentions? Huck quickly learned that Jim is just like everyone else and does not deserve to be treated with so much contempt. Huck realized he is not superior to Jim, they are equal: “I didn’t do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that one if I’d knowed it would make him feel that way” (98). Huck faces a moral dilemma. He cannot decide whether to follow everything he has been taught and turn Jim in, or go against civilization and free Jim. In the end, Huck made the decision to reject everything society has taught him. Huck’s upbringing allowed him to witness the fact that nothing good comes to those who follow the rules of society. Huck made the choice to free Jim, based on his own experiences. Even though this may not have been the “right” thing to do, it was right for Huck. All people should live by Jim’s example. He once said, “yes- en I’s rich now, come to look at it. I owns myself, en I’s wuth eight hund’d dollars” (57). Jim and Huck are both worth more than that. They learned from their mistakes and are optimistic for the future. Knowledge comes with experience; experience is priceless: “If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we'd all be millionaires” (Abigail Van Buren).
In the end, Tom’s Aunt Sally adopts Huck. Unfortunately, Huck is apprehensive to this: “she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before” (307). Huck has never been civilized, so why does he claim he has been there before? He has not actually been there before, but everyone around him has. If being civilized means being corrupted by society, Huck wants no part in it. From other people’s experiences Huck learned an important lesson; nothing good comes out of being part of society.
If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you? The answer is no, because you know the consequences. Just because everyone jumps off a cliff does not make it right. Likewise, just because Huck belongs to society does not mean he has to be corrupted by it. Huck’s upbringing allowed him to make decisions for himself. His many experiences in different places with different people allowed him to see the consequences of civilization. Doing what everyone else does, whether that means jumping off a bridge or following society’s standards, the effect is the same, fatal. Miss Watson, Pap, Buck, the Duke, and the King all belonged to the corrupted society. Their deaths proved that being civilized does not bring success. Huck’s experiences with multiple people allowed him to realize the importance of making your own decisions. It is better to follow your own instincts because what someone else’s heart is telling them might not be what yours is telling you.
Huck was constantly being told his father had a bad influence on him. Though this was true, it would not have a strong impact on Huck if he did not experience any abuse or neglect himself. It is rather clear to Huck that he lives in a corrupted society based on his father’s insolent actions: “He chased me round and round the place, with a clasp-knife, calling me the Angel of Death and saying he would kill me and then I could come for him no more” (Twain 39). Even though Huck’s father had a negative effect on him, he taught him a valuable lesson. Pap was the perfect example of how not to live by. Pap’s unwillingness to be honest encouraged Huck to be: “don’t ask me nothing- then I won’t have to tell no lies” (25). Pap’s death showed that nothing good comes out of telling lies, being intoxicated, or being abusive.
Huck learned a few lessons from society; however, they were not practiced by most members. Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas taught Huck that he “must help other people, and do everything [he] could for other people, and look out for them all the time, and never think of [himself]” (19). Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas were good people, but they supported slavery, the worst form of discrimination. Tom is Huck’s best friend and another person corrupted by society. Tom is everything that Huck is not. While Huck is realistic and independent, Tom is stubborn and imaginative. Most of Tom’s ideas are formulated from the books he reads, and not from practice. He does everything based on what the book says, which prevents him from formulating his own opinions. While having fun with one another, Huck asks a question, “Ransomed? What’s that?” Tom replies with the answer, “I don’t know. But that’s what they do. I’ve seen it in books; and so of course that’s what we’ve got to do” (17). Contradictory, Huck has no influence from books and devises his opinions based on experience. Even though the boys are just pretending, Tom should think more carefully about his actions because impulsive procedures never have good outcomes. Huck’s ability to look at everything practically allows him to see the best option.
Why would you kill someone based on an old family feud you know nothing about? As absurd as it seems, the Grangerford family Huck encounters does exactly this. A Grangerford son, Buck, is the civilized Huck. They are intelligent, adventurous, and courageous. The concept of a feud is challenging for Huck to understand: “‘Well, then, what did you want to kill him for?’ ‘Why nothing-only it’s account of the feud’” (120). Even though the family is civilized, wealthy, and religious, they are still corrupted by society. This adventure taught Huck a painful lesson that even kind people can act cruel because of society’s standards. Buck’s death proved to Huck that it does not matter how much money you have or who you are, if you follow the rules bestowed by society, you will suffer.
What better way to show you are corrupted by society than by claiming you are a duke or a king? Even though Jim and Huck were the ones to save two men who claimed these titles, these men still attempted to appear on a higher level. It was obvious to Huck that the men were lying; however, Jim was oblivious. Their odious actions were encouraged by a greedy desire for wealth and power. Their longing for prosperity forced them to imitate the British family members of a deceased man. They did this for one purpose only, to obtain his money. In what society is it right to steal innocent people’s money? Through their actions, Huck learned another valuable lesson; you get what you deserve. Jim warned the town that the King and the Duke were impostures. As a result, the men were quickly confiscated and tarred and feathered for trying to steal people of their money. The Duke taught Huck an unforgettable lesson: “Make the best o’ things the way you find ’em” (136). His motto had a simple message, be happy with what you have, enjoy every moment, and if you do not like something you have the ability to change it. If Huck does not like society’s standards, he does not have to fulfill them.
Jim was a former slave and because of this, he was not accepted by society. This did not stop Jim from becoming Huck’s best friend though. Jim took care of and protected Huck on their journey down the river. How can a society want to harm a person with such kind intentions? Huck quickly learned that Jim is just like everyone else and does not deserve to be treated with so much contempt. Huck realized he is not superior to Jim, they are equal: “I didn’t do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that one if I’d knowed it would make him feel that way” (98). Huck faces a moral dilemma. He cannot decide whether to follow everything he has been taught and turn Jim in, or go against civilization and free Jim. In the end, Huck made the decision to reject everything society has taught him. Huck’s upbringing allowed him to witness the fact that nothing good comes to those who follow the rules of society. Huck made the choice to free Jim, based on his own experiences. Even though this may not have been the “right” thing to do, it was right for Huck. All people should live by Jim’s example. He once said, “yes- en I’s rich now, come to look at it. I owns myself, en I’s wuth eight hund’d dollars” (57). Jim and Huck are both worth more than that. They learned from their mistakes and are optimistic for the future. Knowledge comes with experience; experience is priceless: “If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we'd all be millionaires” (Abigail Van Buren).
In the end, Tom’s Aunt Sally adopts Huck. Unfortunately, Huck is apprehensive to this: “she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before” (307). Huck has never been civilized, so why does he claim he has been there before? He has not actually been there before, but everyone around him has. If being civilized means being corrupted by society, Huck wants no part in it. From other people’s experiences Huck learned an important lesson; nothing good comes out of being part of society.
If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you? The answer is no, because you know the consequences. Just because everyone jumps off a cliff does not make it right. Likewise, just because Huck belongs to society does not mean he has to be corrupted by it. Huck’s upbringing allowed him to make decisions for himself. His many experiences in different places with different people allowed him to see the consequences of civilization. Doing what everyone else does, whether that means jumping off a bridge or following society’s standards, the effect is the same, fatal. Miss Watson, Pap, Buck, the Duke, and the King all belonged to the corrupted society. Their deaths proved that being civilized does not bring success. Huck’s experiences with multiple people allowed him to realize the importance of making your own decisions. It is better to follow your own instincts because what someone else’s heart is telling them might not be what yours is telling you.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
P& P # 10: 19-2
“They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something” (239).
Elizabeth has reached a changing point. Originally, she was unwilling to get to know Darcy and was unwilling to visit Pemberly. Elizabeth did not want to go to Pemberley because “she was tired of great houses: after going over so many, she really had no pleasure in fine carpets or satin curtains” (235). Elizabeth assumed that all estates are the same, similar to how she assumed all wealthy people are proud. Elizabeth was clearly wrong, for Darcy was not proud and Pemberly was not a normal estate. Her prejudices prevented her from seeing the truth behind Darcy, but luckily her vision did not prevent her from seeing the beauty of Pemberley. Elizabeth had “never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste” (239). Elizabeth’s description of Pemberley suits its owner as well. Pemberly is gorgeous, but “neither formal nor falsely adorned.” Darcy is handsome, but he is honest and will express his opinions. As Elizabeth slowly falls in love with the estate, she slowly falls in love with Darcy. She imagines what being the mistress of Pemberley might be like, and then realizes it could be her.
“Elizabeth could not but be pleased, could not but triumph” (248).
This passage shows Elizabeth’s excitement for:
A.) Visiting Pemberly for the first time
B.) Darcy being surprised by her connection to her aunt and uncle
C.) Her sister Lydia going to Meryton
D.) Her sister Jane not getting married
E.) Being introduced to Darcy’s sister
Elizabeth has reached a changing point. Originally, she was unwilling to get to know Darcy and was unwilling to visit Pemberly. Elizabeth did not want to go to Pemberley because “she was tired of great houses: after going over so many, she really had no pleasure in fine carpets or satin curtains” (235). Elizabeth assumed that all estates are the same, similar to how she assumed all wealthy people are proud. Elizabeth was clearly wrong, for Darcy was not proud and Pemberly was not a normal estate. Her prejudices prevented her from seeing the truth behind Darcy, but luckily her vision did not prevent her from seeing the beauty of Pemberley. Elizabeth had “never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste” (239). Elizabeth’s description of Pemberley suits its owner as well. Pemberly is gorgeous, but “neither formal nor falsely adorned.” Darcy is handsome, but he is honest and will express his opinions. As Elizabeth slowly falls in love with the estate, she slowly falls in love with Darcy. She imagines what being the mistress of Pemberley might be like, and then realizes it could be her.
“Elizabeth could not but be pleased, could not but triumph” (248).
This passage shows Elizabeth’s excitement for:
A.) Visiting Pemberly for the first time
B.) Darcy being surprised by her connection to her aunt and uncle
C.) Her sister Lydia going to Meryton
D.) Her sister Jane not getting married
E.) Being introduced to Darcy’s sister
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
