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).
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
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).
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).
Monday, March 2, 2009
Huck Finn 3: 47-66
1.) “Yes- en I’s rich now, come to look at it. I owns mysef, en I’s wuth eight hund’d dollars” (57).
Be happy with what you have. Jim has very little, but he has hope for the future. He is not disappointed by his failures, because he learned from them. Frustration and anger will get you nowhere. Jim is optimistic because he has hairy arms and a hairy chest, and his superstition says that anyone who possesses those traits will be rich. Jim does not underestimate the value of his life. Life is a precious gift and nothing is more valuable. As Dorian Gray learned, “what does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Wilde 220). If you don’t have a soul, you have nothing. Jim has a soul and he has faith. This is all someone ever needs.
2.) “You said it was the worst bad luck in the world to touch a snake-skin with my hands. Well, here’s your bad luck! We’ve raked in all this truck and eight dollars besides. I wish we could have some bad luck like this every day, Jim” (62).
Huckleberry Finn opened his mouth a little too soon. He needs to be careful or his sarcasm and cynicism will get him in trouble. He and Jim were lucky to find money and items from a house. Instead of being grateful for what they found, Huck acts surprised because he thought he was going to have bad luck. Huck is normally extremely superstitious, but only because that is what Jim tells him. This shows once again Huck is still young and easily influenced by others. As it turns out, they suffered bad luck a couple days later, but not because he touched a snake-skin. Superstitions are not always real. This experience should have taught Huck a lesson. Be careful what you say and if you mock and ridicule others you will be punished.
Vocab. Words:
1.) Calico: a plain-woven cotton cloth printed with a figured pattern, usually on one side.
“There was two old dirty calico dresses” (61).
2.) Reticule: a small purse or bag, originally of network but later of silk, rayon
“a reticule with needles and pins and beeswax and buttons and thread and all suck tuck in it” (61).
Be happy with what you have. Jim has very little, but he has hope for the future. He is not disappointed by his failures, because he learned from them. Frustration and anger will get you nowhere. Jim is optimistic because he has hairy arms and a hairy chest, and his superstition says that anyone who possesses those traits will be rich. Jim does not underestimate the value of his life. Life is a precious gift and nothing is more valuable. As Dorian Gray learned, “what does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Wilde 220). If you don’t have a soul, you have nothing. Jim has a soul and he has faith. This is all someone ever needs.
2.) “You said it was the worst bad luck in the world to touch a snake-skin with my hands. Well, here’s your bad luck! We’ve raked in all this truck and eight dollars besides. I wish we could have some bad luck like this every day, Jim” (62).
Huckleberry Finn opened his mouth a little too soon. He needs to be careful or his sarcasm and cynicism will get him in trouble. He and Jim were lucky to find money and items from a house. Instead of being grateful for what they found, Huck acts surprised because he thought he was going to have bad luck. Huck is normally extremely superstitious, but only because that is what Jim tells him. This shows once again Huck is still young and easily influenced by others. As it turns out, they suffered bad luck a couple days later, but not because he touched a snake-skin. Superstitions are not always real. This experience should have taught Huck a lesson. Be careful what you say and if you mock and ridicule others you will be punished.
Vocab. Words:
1.) Calico: a plain-woven cotton cloth printed with a figured pattern, usually on one side.
“There was two old dirty calico dresses” (61).
2.) Reticule: a small purse or bag, originally of network but later of silk, rayon
“a reticule with needles and pins and beeswax and buttons and thread and all suck tuck in it” (61).
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Huck Finn 2: 28-46
1.) “And after supper he talked to him about temperance and such things till the old man cried, and said he’d been a fool, and fooled away his life; but now he was agoing to turn over a new leaf and be a man nobody wouldn’t be ashamed of” (31).
What kind of judge allows a father to have custody of his son even though he has a history of being negligent, intoxicated, and abusive? Huckleberry Finn’s father is in no condition to take care of him. His deceitful nature allowed him to get what he wanted. His father promised the new judge that he changed and was going to be a new person. This was the second time he lied to the judge, “said he was boss of his son, and he’d make warm for him” (31). Honesty has no importance to Huck’s father. Huck values the truth though, “and don’t ask me nothing-then I won’t have to tell no lies” (25). Nothing good ever came out of lying, and Pap will soon learn this. If Huck remains honest and truthful, he won’t turn out like his father.
2.) “The sky looks ever so deep when you lay down on your back in the moonshine; I never knowed it before” (45).
Huckleberry Finn is independent and carefree. Despite his young age, he feels comfortable away from the world and looking up at the nighttime sky. He escaped his father’s control and can now relax. It is strange that Huck has never noticed this before because he has spent so many nights sleeping outside. People look up at the moon for guidance when they are lost. The moon can also demonstrate a journey someone will go on or it can be a symbol of hope for the future. Nature is related to peace and tranquility, Huck can forget about the things that are wrong in his life and start over.
Vocab Words:
1.) Stanchion: an upright bar, beam, post, or support, as in a window,
“In the night sometime he got powerful thirsty and clumb out onto the porch-roof and slid down a stanchion” (33).
2.) Nabob: any very wealthy, influential, or powerful person
“The awfulest nabob in the State” (37).
What kind of judge allows a father to have custody of his son even though he has a history of being negligent, intoxicated, and abusive? Huckleberry Finn’s father is in no condition to take care of him. His deceitful nature allowed him to get what he wanted. His father promised the new judge that he changed and was going to be a new person. This was the second time he lied to the judge, “said he was boss of his son, and he’d make warm for him” (31). Honesty has no importance to Huck’s father. Huck values the truth though, “and don’t ask me nothing-then I won’t have to tell no lies” (25). Nothing good ever came out of lying, and Pap will soon learn this. If Huck remains honest and truthful, he won’t turn out like his father.
2.) “The sky looks ever so deep when you lay down on your back in the moonshine; I never knowed it before” (45).
Huckleberry Finn is independent and carefree. Despite his young age, he feels comfortable away from the world and looking up at the nighttime sky. He escaped his father’s control and can now relax. It is strange that Huck has never noticed this before because he has spent so many nights sleeping outside. People look up at the moon for guidance when they are lost. The moon can also demonstrate a journey someone will go on or it can be a symbol of hope for the future. Nature is related to peace and tranquility, Huck can forget about the things that are wrong in his life and start over.
Vocab Words:
1.) Stanchion: an upright bar, beam, post, or support, as in a window,
“In the night sometime he got powerful thirsty and clumb out onto the porch-roof and slid down a stanchion” (33).
2.) Nabob: any very wealthy, influential, or powerful person
“The awfulest nabob in the State” (37).
Huck Finn 1: 9-27
1.)“Ransomed? What’s that?” “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.” “But how can we do it if we don’t know what it is?" (17).
Having friends who are different from you allows you to try new things and go on new adventures. Huckleberry Finn is a little skeptical and cynical about the plan to ransom someone because he doesn’t know what it is. Tom Sawyer is optimistic because it’s what the books say they have to do. Huck and Tom’s differences bring out the best in each other. They have similarities including strong imaginations and a desire to have fun. They are also both easily influenced by other sources. Huck gets his knowledge from Tom and Tom get’s his knowledge from books. The person taking care of Huck will have a big impact on his life, so it is important for them to be responsible and dependable.
2.) “She said the thing a body could get by praying for it was “spiritual gifts.” This was too many for me, but she told me what she meant-I must help other people, and do everything I could for other people, and look out for them all the time, and never think about myself" (19).
Miss Watson is the complete opposite of Huckleberry Finn’s father. She is nurturing, caring, and wants the best for Huck. She is teaching him to be a better person by giving him strong values to live by. Huck’s father is irresponsible, immature, and disgusting. Although Huck has been raised with no standards, Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas have changed that. The model of behavior they demonstrate is slowly reaching Huck. When he meets with Judge Thatcher, he offers to give him all his money, “I want to give it to you- the six thousand and all” (25). This shows he is doing more for others and no longer thinking about himself. Hopefully, Huck will keep these values and avoid being influenced by his father.
Vocab. Words:
1.)Injun: An American Indian
"I got an old tin lamp and an iron ring and went out in the woods and rubbed and rubbed till I sweat like an Injun" (23).
2.)Betwixt: neither the one nor the other; in a middle or unresolved position
“So he set down on the ground betwixt me and Tom” (13).
Having friends who are different from you allows you to try new things and go on new adventures. Huckleberry Finn is a little skeptical and cynical about the plan to ransom someone because he doesn’t know what it is. Tom Sawyer is optimistic because it’s what the books say they have to do. Huck and Tom’s differences bring out the best in each other. They have similarities including strong imaginations and a desire to have fun. They are also both easily influenced by other sources. Huck gets his knowledge from Tom and Tom get’s his knowledge from books. The person taking care of Huck will have a big impact on his life, so it is important for them to be responsible and dependable.
2.) “She said the thing a body could get by praying for it was “spiritual gifts.” This was too many for me, but she told me what she meant-I must help other people, and do everything I could for other people, and look out for them all the time, and never think about myself" (19).
Miss Watson is the complete opposite of Huckleberry Finn’s father. She is nurturing, caring, and wants the best for Huck. She is teaching him to be a better person by giving him strong values to live by. Huck’s father is irresponsible, immature, and disgusting. Although Huck has been raised with no standards, Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas have changed that. The model of behavior they demonstrate is slowly reaching Huck. When he meets with Judge Thatcher, he offers to give him all his money, “I want to give it to you- the six thousand and all” (25). This shows he is doing more for others and no longer thinking about himself. Hopefully, Huck will keep these values and avoid being influenced by his father.
Vocab. Words:
1.)Injun: An American Indian
"I got an old tin lamp and an iron ring and went out in the woods and rubbed and rubbed till I sweat like an Injun" (23).
2.)Betwixt: neither the one nor the other; in a middle or unresolved position
“So he set down on the ground betwixt me and Tom” (13).
Saturday, February 21, 2009
February Vacation Witticisms
1.) Pushing someone away doesn’t cause them to come closer to you. They are only further away. Therefore, if you love someone let them know, or else they will let you go.
2.) Some people call it luck; other people call it hard-work. Luck and hard-work are not the same thing though. Luck might get you what you want, but hard-work will always get you what you need.
3.) Experience is the best teacher. Even if you fail the test, you won’t forget the lesson.
4.) Can you make yourself love? Can you make yourself be loved? Don’t try to be loved; try to be love. If you open your heart and embrace others anything is possible.
5.) What makes a smile so great? Everyone has one, everyone understands it, it’s the easiest way to change your looks, and no matter how many times you share it, you can never lose it.
6.) Wealth can be measured in love and happiness. Most of the time, the people with the most money are never the wealthiest.
7.) The best part about teams is that even if you make a mistake, someone is always on your side. Someone is always there to pick you up when you fall.
8.) Life’s too short to not take risks. You never lose by trying; you always lose by holding back.
9.) Beauty might catch your attention, but kindness, honesty, and loyalty will capture your heart.
10.) Don’t trust people for who you want them to be, trust them for who they are.
11.) True friends do not love you for what you have. They love you for how you make them feel.
2.) Some people call it luck; other people call it hard-work. Luck and hard-work are not the same thing though. Luck might get you what you want, but hard-work will always get you what you need.
3.) Experience is the best teacher. Even if you fail the test, you won’t forget the lesson.
4.) Can you make yourself love? Can you make yourself be loved? Don’t try to be loved; try to be love. If you open your heart and embrace others anything is possible.
5.) What makes a smile so great? Everyone has one, everyone understands it, it’s the easiest way to change your looks, and no matter how many times you share it, you can never lose it.
6.) Wealth can be measured in love and happiness. Most of the time, the people with the most money are never the wealthiest.
7.) The best part about teams is that even if you make a mistake, someone is always on your side. Someone is always there to pick you up when you fall.
8.) Life’s too short to not take risks. You never lose by trying; you always lose by holding back.
9.) Beauty might catch your attention, but kindness, honesty, and loyalty will capture your heart.
10.) Don’t trust people for who you want them to be, trust them for who they are.
11.) True friends do not love you for what you have. They love you for how you make them feel.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Picture of Dorian Gray # 11
1.)“It is perfectly monstrous,” he said, at last, “the way people go about nowadays saying things against one behind one’s back that are absolutely and entirely true” (183).
Lord Henry brings up an important question, why do people talk about other people behind their backs? If something is entirely true, why do they feel the need to hide it? It is because people feel better when they get something off their chest, but they are too fearful to confront that person. For example, many people talked about Dorian behind his back. Basil, trying to be a good friend, wanted to share this with Dorian. He was open and honest with Dorian, but Dorian would not accept what he said. The truth was too painful and hard for Dorian to bear. Reality was overwhelming, and as a result, he killed Basil. Most people are fearful something similar will occur. Everyone talks about others, because it makes them feel like they are helping someone. When people share the truth, they don’t want to be attacked. They want someone who will agree with them, not disagree.
2.)“One’s days were too brief to take the burden of another’s errors on one’s shoulders. Each man lived his own life, and paid his own price for living it” (194).
“Life is too short to live for anyone but yourself.” No two lives are the same; every life is unique and special. You should want to live your own life, without anyone’s influence. The decisions we make show what type of people we are. Dorian made a mistake; he would have to live with the consequences. Rarely in life do you get a chance to start over. However, how you respond to your mistakes can change who you are. If you recognize your sins and promise to do better, you will be successful. The better life you live, the lesser price you will pay.
Vocab. Words:
1.) Incorrigible: impervious to constraints or punishment; willful; unruly; uncontrollable
“Isn’t he incorrigible?” cried Dorian, leaning forward in his chair” (183).
2.)Corroborative: to make more certain; confirm
“If you want any corroborative evidence on the subject you can ask him” (186).
Lord Henry brings up an important question, why do people talk about other people behind their backs? If something is entirely true, why do they feel the need to hide it? It is because people feel better when they get something off their chest, but they are too fearful to confront that person. For example, many people talked about Dorian behind his back. Basil, trying to be a good friend, wanted to share this with Dorian. He was open and honest with Dorian, but Dorian would not accept what he said. The truth was too painful and hard for Dorian to bear. Reality was overwhelming, and as a result, he killed Basil. Most people are fearful something similar will occur. Everyone talks about others, because it makes them feel like they are helping someone. When people share the truth, they don’t want to be attacked. They want someone who will agree with them, not disagree.
2.)“One’s days were too brief to take the burden of another’s errors on one’s shoulders. Each man lived his own life, and paid his own price for living it” (194).
“Life is too short to live for anyone but yourself.” No two lives are the same; every life is unique and special. You should want to live your own life, without anyone’s influence. The decisions we make show what type of people we are. Dorian made a mistake; he would have to live with the consequences. Rarely in life do you get a chance to start over. However, how you respond to your mistakes can change who you are. If you recognize your sins and promise to do better, you will be successful. The better life you live, the lesser price you will pay.
Vocab. Words:
1.) Incorrigible: impervious to constraints or punishment; willful; unruly; uncontrollable
“Isn’t he incorrigible?” cried Dorian, leaning forward in his chair” (183).
2.)Corroborative: to make more certain; confirm
“If you want any corroborative evidence on the subject you can ask him” (186).
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