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October 26, 2005
Huck Finn
Smith, H.N. ''Introduction to AHF" (pp 323-344) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
"Huck is drawn ashore repeatedly, and repeatedly returns to the raft, but this apparent movement is merely an oscillation between two modes of experience, and the successive episodes are restatements, with variations, of the same theme: the raft versus the town, the River versus the Shore."
These two selections were more like essays about the text. This quote caught my eye, because I hadn't really thought about a connection between the river and raft and the struggle in life. I read this and thought about the students at SHU right now. We are all, in effect, oscillating (which is one of my favorite words, by the way) between our young, dependent lifestyle and our mature, entrepeneurial lifestyle. Huck Finn was struggling with his place in the world, which probably stemmed from his family life. I wonder though, why the words "River" and "Shore" are capitalized in this segment. I would guess this was his way of emphasis or personification. Thoughts?
Posted by MeredithHarber at October 26, 2005 08:11 PM
Comments
I like the personification idea of those two words. They are each a special place to Huck at different times in his life. The River and the Shore are just so important in his life that they deserve to be capitalized instead of being lesser things without capitalization.
PS-Oscillating- good word girl.
Posted by: Vanessa at October 27, 2005 12:00 AM
how is it personification? Its not like the river or the shore makes any decisions with a purpose.
Posted by: Kyle at October 10, 2006 01:12 AM