Mark Twain uses romanticism vs. realism to make fun of how other authors write their books. He doesn’t agree with the way they portray the “realistic” ways people act, or how they think an adventure story should be.
In Huckleberry Finn, Twain uses many allusions to different romantic and adventure novels. In one chapter, Twain is making fun of Romeo and Juliet. Huck is caught in between a feud between to fighting families. In the end of the chapter, a girl from one side, and a boy from another side fall in love. One major part when the theme romanticism vs. realism comes up, is in chapters 35-39. Huck asks Tom to help him free Jim. Tom, says yes, but just because he wants to make an adventure out of it. He doesn't really care if they get Jim out or not. They have to dig a whole to Jim, with case-knives. Once they get to him, Tom makes up things that they have to do in order for him to come out. Jim has to write in blood, on a t-shirt, his journal. Has to take care of snakes, and other insects. He also has to water a plant with his tears. They had to break Jim out to help them carry a stone so they could write their coat of arm in it. Jim was already broken out, but Tom wanted it to be more of an adventure.
Romanticism does not show realistic events or show true adventures. It gives people a false sense that things like this can happen. Twain is trying to show that romanticism gets you know where, other than and interesting and amusing story.
Polly - good structure here. Note: you can go further with your specific details. The more specific the better. Also - "whole" is hole. And the sentence "Jim has to write in blood, on a t-shirt, his journal" should be "Jim has to write in blood on a t-shirt, his journal."
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy the reference to Romeo and Juliet and your thesis and conclusion work!