Wow! I can't believe all the controversy about this one in our class discussion. People were getting very upset about the stereotypes. I don't know if they were actually serious or just arguing for the sake of arguing. But, I think this was actually meant to be humorous. The definitions are sarcastic, and some people can't handle sarcasm. I know because I used to be one of them...until I caught on and realized they were just joking. I know this sounds kind of corny, but it's sort of like Eminem. Everyone gets really upset with him because he raps about controversial subjects and pokes fun at everything...INCLUDING HIMSELF. I don't mena to offend anyone who felt this way, but this is just my opinion.
I wanted to comment on the class discussion about Tom Sawyer being a hero figure in Huckleberry Finn. I think a hero is a person that someone looks up to for one reason or another. The fourth definition on the Merriam-Webster online dictionary explains the definition of a hero as an object of extreme admiration and devotion. If you are looking at a "hero" from this perspective, I believe Tom is a hero. Though my personal opinion is that Tom is a manipulator and I don't particularly care for him, he is admired by his peers. It was obvious that throughout the novel Huck referred back to Tom and whether he would accept Huck's decisions. Tom was a leader, whether a good or bad one, he was still a leader and all of his peers sought acceptance from him. So, do you think this makes him a hero because he is strong and amired? Or do you have to do positive things to be considered a hero?