"The Lowest Animal" Response

 Throughout Twain's essay "The Lowest Animal", Twain argues that the human race is worse than any other species. I would agree with Twain's belief that man is the "lowest animal", because as human beings we understand what is right and wrong, and know when we are intentionally hurting one another. However, despite our senses on what is acceptable in life, we still deliberately hurt one another. We commit atrocious acts in that generally do not contribute to the survival of the human race, and our only done in order to satisfy selfish desires. According to Twain, "Man is the only animal that deals in that atrocity of atrocities, War. He is the only one that gathers his brethren about him and goes forth in cold blood and with calm pulse to exterminate his kind." Twain stresses the point that war decreases our value as a species, because we our only hurting our own kind. We are purposefully threatening our own species, and we are well aware of this. However, animals are not aware of the atrocities that they may commit. For instance, Twain states: "The cat plays with the frightened mouse; but she has this excuse, that she does not know that the mouse is suffering." Animals do not have the ability to realize that they are harming others, and their innocence places them above humans. Humans are the "lowest animal" because they deliberately hurt others, with the understanding that they are inflicting pain and bringing suffering to others.

Journal Response #2: Question #2, Huck and Jim's Discussions

During discussions with Jim, Huck respects Jim’s input on life, while also contributing his own views and beliefs. It is evident during these discussions that Huck views Jim as his equal, and actually considers Jim’s ideas. When Huck first finds Jim on Jackson’s Island, he even admits, “ I was ever so glad to see Jim. I warn’t lonesome, now” (Twain 35). Clearly Huck appreciates Jim’s company, and is not bothered by Jim’s different background and race. In addition to this, Huck is not concerned by the fact that Jim is a runaway slave, and does not mind assisting Jim in escaping slavery. Huck informs Jim that “People would call me a low down Abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum- but that don’t make no difference. I ain’t a-going to tell, and I ain’t a-going back there anyways” (Twain 36). Evidently, Huck values his relationship with Jim more than any of his obligations to society. 

During discussions with Jim, it becomes apparent that Huck has actually learned from past experiences. It appears that Huck has learned to create elaborate scenes and stories from Tom. When Huck creates ideas, he constantly compares himself to Tom and what Tom would have done in the same situation. For instance, when Huck sees the sinking steamboat that the robbers attacked, he informs Jim that Tom Sawyer would not have passed the opportunity to approach the scene: “Do you reckon Tom Sawyer would ever go by this thing? Not for a pie, he wouldn’t. He’d call it an adventure- that’s what he’d call it; and he’d land on that wreck if it was his last act” (Twain 50). Huck has clearly been influenced by Tom’s sense of adventure, and as a result Huck suggests that he and Jim act boldly in situations. 

During conversations with Jim, Huck listens to Jim’s superstitions, yet decides for himself whether or not he will actually believe in these ideas. During one conversation, Huck denigrates Jim by claiming that the superstitions are wrong. Previously Jim had made a prediction that Huck would receive bad luck, since he touched a snake’s skin. However, after the two runaways receive good fortune by finding a house boat full of provisions, Huck questions Jim’s superstitions, and accuses Jim for making false assumptions. However, later Huck is forced to praise Jim for his superstitions, because the two runaways do experience bad fortune. After Jim is bitten by a rattlesnake, that was the mate to a snake Huck had killed, Huck is forced to accept Jim’s superstitions. Huck realizes that there is truth to a few of Jim’s superstitions, and agrees to not handle snake skin again.

Overall, it is evident through their discussions, that Huck and Jim treat each other as equals and offer various ideas to each other. They may not always agree with each other, however they consider each other’s ideas and look out for one another. 

Journalism Post #1: Huckleberry Finn

Cassandra Rockness

10/20/14

Period 4

Reflection on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, the audience is introduced to Tom Sawyer’s friend, Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn is a young boy who has clearly had a troubled past. His illiterate skills, poor manners, and tendency towards cussing suggest that he was not adequately raised by his family. As the story progresses, we learn that throughout his life, Huck was greatly abused by his alcoholic father. Pap, Huck’s father, does not appreciate society’s influence on his son, and insists that Huck leads a life like him. However, when Widow Duglas attempts at adopting Huck, she stresses the importance of having an education and abiding by her morals. She expects Huck to attend school, refrain from cussing, and accept Christian values and beliefs. However, surprisingly, Huck does not seem to mind living with the widow. He even states, “ I was getting sort of used to the widow’s way, too, and they warn’t so raspy on me… I liked the old ways best, but I was getting so I liked the new ones, too, a little bit” (Twain 19-20). Although Huck was not raised to abide by civilized ways of living, Huck finds that living with the widow is not as terrible as he originally thought it would be. Perhaps this is because the widow actually cares for him, when Huck never had anyone who actually cared for him before. Huck also finds that he had many misconceptions towards school- it’s not as miserable as he perceived it to be. The school also serves as a safe haven for Huck; a place where Pap cannot interfere with his life. Despite Pap’s threats on attending school, Huck continues to pursue an education and escape his father’s harsh influence. It is interesting how Huck’s father does not want the best for his son and does not want his son to be above him. One would think that it is the parents’ obligation to advise their children against making the same flaws as them, so that their children may lead better lives. However, Huck’s father seems to have ideas that are contradictory to this general assumption. Unfortunately, Pap acts very negatively towards his son’s educational and social improvements, and wants Huck to be bellow him. Pap, an alcoholic man in poverty, wants his son to lead the same life as himself. It is very unfortunate that Huck is influenced by such a terrible man, and it will be interesting to see how Huck will continue to grow and mature in spite of his father’s authority.