Monica Corcoro. Posting 2. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Jim and Huck’s friendship grew stronger throughout their journeys together. In chapter 2, Tom and Huck decide to pull some tricks on Jim while he’s sleeping. Although they didn’t do anything to him in the end, the tricks that they were planning to do seemed very selfish yet unnecessary; knowing that Jim did nothing to harm them from the start. Now that Jim has run away from Miss Watson, and Huck has run away from Pap, they have a chance to work together. Throughout their journey, they have encountered some odd situations, such as Huck attempting to impersonate a girl in return for some information.

Jim and Huck’s adventure together helped both of them help each other become wiser in knowing how to survive alone. In chapter 9, Huck tells Jim to go beneath their canoe to avoid being seen by anyone. And because of Jim’s superstitions, Huck learns that it is bad luck to think about a dead man they found earlier. I believe that they will continue to learn more from each other the more the story goes one. And I also predict they will be excellent friends by the end of the novel.

What I found strange was the fact that Huck’s close friends and family were shooting cannonballs and float quicksilver in loaves of bread across the water, hoping to find is dead body (37). I was asking myself questions such as “If they all love so much, why would they be throwing cannonballs and poisoning him if he might still be alive?”

Qing Rou Deng. Posting 3. Adventures of Huckleberry Fin

I really liked the parts when Huck lived at the Grangers. I felt like the Grangers were the only people who did not take advantage of Huck. They even took Huck in, “So they said I could have a hom e there as long as I wanted it. (142)” However, they were just as silly or unreasonable as the other people Huck met on his journey. When Huck asked Buck about the feud Buck says “It started thirty years ago, or some’ers along there. (152); when Huck asked what the reason was Buck said “I reckon maybe—I don’t know. (152)” It is really shocking to me that so many Grangers and Shepherdsons would die without a clear reason.

This little section with the Grangers and Shepherdsons remind me of the story of Romeo and Juliet, except Sophia and Henry ended up happily ever after and the rest of their families perished. As a result of the ending I find Sophia and Henry really selfish, I think they should have been more considerate and mature enough to understand what they were about to do could have the potential to kill of their families. I feel really bad this happened to them because they were such good people.

As the story goes on it is really evident that Huck has almost the complete opposite traits from his dad. Huck is a do-gooder, considerate and has good morals. These traits are shown when gives all his money away so his dad would not put it into bad use, he also show these traits when he did not betray Jim. Huck’s dad is lazy and ignorant. I can’t believe that the new judge was so kindhearted that he would bother with someone like Huck’s dad but Huck’s dad just puts on an act and goes back to drinking. I hope he is out of Huck’s life for good.

Qing Rou Deng. Posting 2. Adventures of Huckleberry Fin

The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin is really interesting. I just don’t enjoy how much details Mr. Twain puts in to prolong the story, which is bad on my part because this makes me feel like one of those book burners in Fahrenheit 451. In addition to that I find Jim very hard to understand because of the way he speaks. I find this book interesting because it’s very adventurous and in some parts very emotional. In my class, Aviation and the American Character we are using American traits like, rugged individualist to describe certain individuals throughout American history. Well I think the perfect trait for Huck is a “Do-gooder”. I think that because throughout Huck’s adventures he always trying to do what he thinks is right. “Poor Emmeline made poetry about all the dead people when she was alive, and it didn’t seem right that there warn’t nobody to make some about her now she was gone; so I tried to sweat out a verse or two myself. (107)” However sometimes Huck thinks his morals are good but according to today’s general standards they are not. “I begun to get it through my head that he was most free—and who was to blame for it? Why, me. I couldn’t get that out of my conscience, no how nor now way. (92)”

I really like the character Jim, except he is a little too superstitious for my liking. The part I really like about him is that he has a determined goal in life and he will work hard for it. “He was saying how the first thing he would do when he got to a free state he would go to saving up money and never spend a single cent, and when he got enough he would buy his wife, which was owned ona farm close to where Miss Watson lived; (92)” In addition he is really thankful of the opportunities he’s been given.

Lastly, I find Huck’s lies really funny. I find it amusing how he lies to the people he sees through his journey and keeps on forgetting what his lies were. I especially like the parts when Huck forgot his name.

Monica Corcoro. Posting 1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Chi Chi made a good point about Huck’s dad, who is referred to as Pap, being a very unbelievable person. Unlike most dads, Pap would discourage Huck from going to school and to have any manners. He became even more upset when he found out that Huck was the first one in his family to learn how to read. Usually, parents would be really glad to see their child read for the first time; but for Pap, he could only think of himself. What I thought was really selfish of Pap to do was the time when he first got to see Huck in a long time. One of the first things he asks Huck is if he still has a lot of money. “I’ve been in town 2 days, and I hain’t heard nothing but about you bein’ rich. I heard about it away down the river too. That’s why I come. You git me that money tomorrow—I want it.” (pg. 20) And to think he couldn’t be even more selfish, Pap says “Say how much you got in your pocket? I want it.” Then Huck explains how “he took the dollar and bit it to see if it was good, and then he said he was going down-town to get some whisky; said he hadn’t had a drink all day.” (pg. 21) I found it extremely selfish of Pap to suddenly appear out of nowhere just to obtain the riches that Huck had; which was the only reason why he came to visit Huck in the first place. I think that if Pap got a chance to spend more time with Huck while he was growing up, he would fully understand of how to take care and influence him correctly instead of treating him like he isn’t his own child. Hopefully he will get to realize that throughout the book.

Qing Rou Deng. Posting 1. Adventures of Huckleberry Fin

Huck’s dad is unbelievable. It is so horrible that Huck’s dad wants him to drop school and want Huck to inherit the same ways of life as he did. This idea of parenting goes totally against my beliefs; I thought parent are suppose to want the best for their children and wish them to have a better life than they did. I don’t think Huck’s dad is responsible for all his horrible actions like getting drunk every day, abusing his son, discriminating against minority and everything. Because I believe that people are blank slates when they are born and it is how they are raised that determine what kind of person they will become later in life. So this makes me wonder what Huck’s dad’s childhood was like. But I think Huck’s dad should of being more mature and understand what choices where good and what were bad, I think he has the power to make good decisions but neglect to do so. And now that Huck has ran away, I wonder where he plans to go.

I find Tom Sawyer a funny character. I like how he became the leader of a “gang” and says he is going to rob and kill people when he did not know how to do it and backs out later. In addition, I find his bragging adorable. Especially when he says “Because it ain’t in the books so—that’s why. (19)” as a reason to defend his thinking. As the sorry marches on I think Tom Sawyer will not be involved much anymore since Huck’s dad is keeping Huck far from society and now Huck has ran away.

Monica Corcoro. Posting 6. Of Mice and Men

I agree with what ChiChi had to say about Lennie living a good life because he was always so happy and loving towards people. Although he didn’t mean some of the things he did—such as killing most of the pets he has owned and killing Curly’s wife—he really did not mean to harm anyone from the start. He would always be keeping his head high; and I bet Lennie would have been so excited to share a farm with George, but too bad he never got to live up that dream.

I have to give George a lot of sympathy because he was always the one who would help both Lennie and himself through obstacles. He would be the one to take care of Lennie ever since they were little. And I think that George was probably getting too fed up with him, which is probably one of the ways it would all lead up to Lennie’s death.

The way Steinbeck ended the novel was kind of unexpected and left the readers questioning a couple of things. I was wondering what George’s main point was to kill Lennie. Was it out of anger he has been keeping in all these years? Could he just not handle taking care of Lennie anymore? Was it because he didn’t want Curly to kill Lennie first? There are so many questions unanswered; which I believe is really clever of Steinbeck to do, but yet frustrating towards the reader.

What I found a little strange is that when everyone else saw that Lennie was dead, they just went on with their lives—as if it never happened; as if Lennie was never there with them. If I was a part of that group, I would be really shocked and surprised to see Lennie dead before Curly got a chance to get to him.

Qing Rou Deng. Posting 6. Of Mice and Men

Mr. Steinbeck made it very evident that the book will not have a happy ending but the ending was so deep. I don’t really feel bad for Lennie because I think he lived a great life. All throughout his life he always knew who truly loved him because they were always around to protect him and take care of him. So Lennie was always surrounded with love. But George on the other hand, seemed always have to fight for himself and did not seem like he had any relatives to support him. While George was fending for himself he also had to protect and fend for Lennie. Even though George seemed to have committed the ultimate crime I think he is the character that deserves most sympathy. If I was in his shoes I wouldn’t know how to live the rest of my life. I would probably feel so horrible that I would just put myself out of misery, so just by living George is doing a brave thing. There is a quote from Mr. Seneca which I find fits very well with George “Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.”

It is also a possibility for George to run away with Lennie but I think George has morals which prevent him from doing so. I really wish the book ended differently. I really enjoy the book but I didn’t like how it made me so happy and touched then crushed my feelings with the ending.

I was confused about some things. So did Slim attempt to persuade George in shooting Lennie? I don’t understand that part.

Monica Corcoro. Posting 5. Of Mice and Men

It was surprising to me that Lennie killed Curly’s wife so innocently. But what surprised me the most is that how kind of a person Curly’s wife was. People like Candy would always talk about how she would flirt with other guys in the barn; but she actually does it because of her past. Because of her loneliness, she chose to marry someone whom she does not enjoy being with at all—Curly.

At first, I did not really think highly of Curly’s wife because she knew that she would cause Curly to get jealous often. But when she was telling Lennie about herself and the things she dealt with in the past, I understand why she would want to have so much attention from so many people. Curly’s wife also explains how neglected she felt by some people, no matter how much talent she had. I feel that her emptiness caused her to be flirtatious. And her flirtatiousness probably made her feel so that she would never be alone anymore.

Referring to my last post on how Lennie wouldn’t hurt a fly; well I have come to realize that he goes too extreme in petting. Before, I thought Lennie was the kind of guy that loves pets and is gentle with them. But I forgot that he has uncontrollable strength, and that makes him kill most of the pets he has; which brings me to the cause of Curly’s wife’s death. Although Lennie didn’t cause it on purpose, he still doesn’t know how to control his own strength. It just goes to show that even the slightest actions can hurt someone in the process.

Monica Corcoro. Posting 4. Of Mice and Men

Throughout the novel, I have come to know the kind of person Lennie really is. To me, he seems like one of those softy-guys. What I mean by that is he doesn’t like to get into any fights; he’s a very gentle guy. I also realized that he is very loving of animals, hence wanting to have a farm with George and Candy someday. “George went quickly to him, grabbed him by the shoulder and rolled him over. He reached down and picked the tiny poppy from where Lennie had been concealing it against his stomach.” “Give ’um to me, George. I’ll take ’um back. I didn’t mean no harm, George. Honest I didn’t. I jus’ wanted to pet ’um a little.” (43) It seems that no matter what, Lennie cannot stop thinking about the farm he and George are going to own someday. And because of his great love for animals, it causes him to be more kind and careful of things.

His kind and innocent personality sometimes comes in handy when it comes to dealing with other people. When Curly tries to express his rage and begins to beat up Lennie, he holds back until George gives him the go to break his arm. (63) Lennie didn’t intend on breaking his arm—Curly just deserved it for attacking Lennie for no reason. What I like about Lennie is that he can be tough when he needs to be; but otherwise, he would rather not try to hurt anything or anyone—not even a fly.

Qing Rou Deng. Posting 5. Of Mice and Men

In chapter five we find that Lennie have murdered Curley’s wife unintentionally. Well before Curley’s wife explains to Lennie about the troubles she has in life. It seems she sees Lennie as this gentle giant who would provide her some emotional support. But she did not sense the danger, which I find quite unintelligent. Since she knows that Curley’s injuries were caused by Lennie and that Lennie has some mental problems she should of know that Lennie was dangerous. In addition she just saw that Lennie pet a puppy so hard that he killed the puppy. So I think most of the conflict in the story was because of her. Then there was something very strong that Steinbeck showed with her. After her death she was described as “And the meanness and the plannings and the discontent and her ache for attention were all gone from her face. She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young. (90)” This showed that this woman had no ways of escaping her troubles except for death. I think that is very true, because it seems that whenever a human is conscious they are worrying about something.

Hearing Curley’s wife’s point of view it really changed my impression of her. It reminded me that people don’t cause trouble for fun; they do it for a reason. And that reason could be born well in the past. For example mistreatment in the past can result in strong desires for attention. I feel I could connect to her, not in the way that she flirts with men, but I too have a dream that is over my head and I am consistently reminded that all odds are against me.

Lastly, I have a question which is why is Curley’s wife called Curley’s wife and not given a proper name.

Monica Corcoro. Posting 3. Of Mice and Men

I feel that Curly is one of those characters that will start to dislike people such as George and Lennie in the beginning, but then warm up to them by the end. I say that because when he first meets George and Lennie, he starts to speculate both of them; as if he showed that they were being despised immediately. That made me think that Curly may be the kind of guy that does not like anyone and he probably won’t for a long time. But Candy tells George and Lennie that he has only been this grumpy ever since he married his flirtatious wife. Ever since then, he has been interrogating big men, such as Lennie, to start a fight with him.

I think Curly has a low self-esteem because he always wants to pick a fight with some of the bigger men, when he is small. It is as if he thinks he’s better than them just because they are bigger and taller. Like what Candy said “Curly’s like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys kind of like he’s mad at ‘em because he ain’t a big guy.” (Pg. 26)

I think Curly might be one of those people where they have sharpening-up to do (emotionally) throughout the story. It is quite obvious that he is not well-liked by many people, such as Candy, mainly because of his toughness. George even warns Lennie to watch out for sight of Curly so that they won’t get into a fight, and lose their jobs (Pg. 29). I have a feeling that he might learn to be less uptight, and more accepting towards people by the end of the book.

Monica Corcoro. Posting 2. Of Mice and Men

From my last post, I said I felt that Lennie was always told what to do and how to do things by George, as if he was always the one to follow him. Well now, other people throughout the story start to realize it a little too. When George and Lennie get to the ranch and meet the boss, George was talking completely for both Lennie and himself. “The boss licked his pencil. ‘What’s your name?’ ‘George Milton.’ ‘And what’s yours?’ George said ‘his name’s Lennie Small.’” (Pg. 21)
I found it odd that the boss was questioning George on how much he is charging Lennie to follow his orders all the time. In the beginning of the book, I didn’t realize how shy and quiet Lennie was until he began to be silent towards everyone but George. And because he was being too quiet around people, George began to get frustrated over it. George was expressing to Lennie how he didn’t do anything, which made George cover for both of them when getting past the boss. George even had to lie to the boss by saying that Lennie was his cousin (Pg. 22-24).
I feel that although George was getting very upset with Lennie for always doing the hard stuff, he really cares for Lennie. He covered for him when he didn’t know what to say at the last minute, which shows that they are genuine friends. And although Lennie does forget things easily, he still tries to do his best is what he does, and I think George is starting to see the effort in him.

Qing Rou Deng. Posting 4. Of Mice and Men

I don’t like Crooks very much. Even though Steinbeck portrayed Crooks as a kind man with “patient” eyes I still think Crooks find joy in other people’s misery from his first impression. For example in Lennie’s attempt at making friends with Crooks, Crooks finds his sensitive point, which is his loyalty to George, and Crooks makes Lennie doubt George. “Crooks’ face lighted with pleasure in his torture.” (70) In addition, he pushes people away not even knowing who they are. He is so used to white people discriminating against him because he is black that his thoughts were conditioned so that no white person would be any different and actually accept him and be nice to him. In the same moment when Lennie attempts to friend Crooks, Crooks says “Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me.” (67) One more thing about Crooks I don’t appreciate him talking badly about Candy, George and Lennie’s dreams about the farm. They have experience so many horrible things in their live that they deserve to have dreams, to have a happy place to go to and something to make their lives worth living.

I wonder why Curley and his wife got married; I don’t think their marriage would be a result of arranged marriage so maybe there was money involved. I was really happy that Lennie “got” Curley and it was funny to see that Curley would yield to any commands to save a face. He is similar to many people. An example would be Sara Palin when she made a mistake about Paul Revere and her campaign workers were caught changing the facts on Wikipedia.

Qing Rou Deng. Posting 3. Of Mice and Men

I agree with you, and the seemingly perfect relationship between George and Lennie makes me think that the conflict in this piece will destroy the relationship between them. While I was reading the book I realize there were many events where I could not understand its significance. I wondered why Steinbeck made some of the events so important when it did not seem to further develop the conflict. So I conclude that some of these events must be foreshadowing. The event that stood out most to me was when Candy’s dog was shot. After that event I really dislike Carlson. I thought he should have been more understanding and considerate. He should try to see out of Candy’s perspective.

And now I really feel bad for Candy, but I feel like there is a connection between Candy and his dog and the relationship between George and Lennie. From the previous sections it is easy to see that George treats Lennie like dog and Lennie is loyal to George like a dog. For example when Curley bullies Lennie, George tells Lennie to get Curley and he does; then when Lennie got frightened he would not let go of Curley but he did because George told him to. “Suddenly Lennie let go his hold. He crouched cowering against the wall. ‘You tol’ me to, George,’ he said miserably.” (62) So the connection between the four characters makes me think if something bad will happen to Lennie much like what happened with Candy’s dog.

Monica Corcoro. Posting 1. Of Mice and Men

I think the introduction of the book was very well set. It starts off setting the scene and how the environment is supporting it. I think Lennie and George are the kind of friends that help each other out in life; such as when George told Lennie to stop drinking out of the lake water. They really know how to watch out for each other like brothers. They seem like the kind of friends that will stick together through thick and thin. Although they have some diverse qualities, they still maintain to stay together.

Although George and Lennie seem to be great friends, I feel that George always has to tell Lennie what to do all the time. As if George was the leader and Lennie just followed him around all the time. For example, when George was talking about people giving them work cards and bus tickets, Lennie realized that he didn’t have any. Then George said “You never had none, you crazy bastard. I got both of ‘em here. Think I’d let you carry your own work card?” (pg.5) I found that George was inferring that Lennie was not responsible enough to carry something as simple like a work card; as if he doesn’t trust Lennie. And also when Lennie had a dead mouse in his pocket, George kept nagging him to give it to him. When he finally gave it up, George “threw it across the pool to the other side, among the brush” (pg. 6) I feel that George is controlling Lennie in a sort of way. He monitors his actions, making Lennie give into his ways.

Qing Rou Deng. Posting 2. Of Mice and Men

Remember my last post was about George and Lennie represent goodness. Well base off that I think the book is not going to have a good ending, but I really hope that I was wrong and that they have a happy ending just like the way they dreamt their future would be. I don’t think that the book will have a good ending because if the book is all happy I don’t think it would last all this time. If the book was happy all the way through then the story would not be meaningful which would not give Mr. John Steinbeck such a good reputation as an author.

Another example to prove my thinking is with the Twilight Saga. When the books where first published there were so many people wanting to read it, but it just died down. I think is mainly because it does not teach anything nor is it meaningful. But I saw a lot of people were disappointed when they found out the last book had a happy ending.

Adding more details to my prediction I think that Curly will play a big part in George and Lennie’s ending. By the way I think Curly is a horrible person; here is an opinion from Slim “Seems like Curley is cockier’n ever since he got married.” (27) He is unintelligent and I think his only purpose in life is to look for trouble. Back to my prediction I think that George’s method of avoiding attention on Lennie will back fire, though I am not sure why I think that. What are your predictions?

Qing Rou Deng. Posting 1. Of Mice and Men

I really enjoy the book so far. To me George and Lennie are really best friends unlike those people that say they are on their lips and when pressure is on or they are better off friends with someone else they don’t remember who you are. And I wish one day everyone one will find someone like that. I find George funny and sometimes a bit harsh. George obviously cannot leave Lennie yet he says he does. I wonder why. I think is because that George has a conscience but I really can’t wait to find out the relationship between them. And I love how Lennie and George are bonded by the same dream and how excited Lennie gets when they talk about it. Even though George does not show his excitement I know George feels the same way as Lennie. Here is quote that shows Lennie’s excitement on page 16 he says “No…you tell it. It ain’t the same if I tell it. Go on George. How I get to tend the rabbits.”

In my opinion George and Lennie represent the ultimate goodness and purity. I think that because it seems that they will stick with each other no matter what. In addition, they know when to apologize. For example, when Lennie wanted ketchup which annoyed George because they had none Lennine said “But I wouldn’t eat none, George. I’d leave it all for you. You could cover your beans with it and I wouldn’t touch none of it. (13)"

Quarter Two Reading Debate Schedule

Quarter Two Reading Debate
Authors: Monica and Chi Chi

We are reading:
1.) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
2.) The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin by Mark Twain (Banned book)

Reading schedule
Week one:
· Get copies of the books
· Divide Of Mice and Men in to three sections and read the first section
· Write two blogs
Week two:
· Read second section of Of Mice and Men
· Write two blogs
Week three:
· Read the last section of Of Mice and Men
· Write two blogs
Week four:
· Divide The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin in to three sections and read the first section
· Write two blogs
Week five:
· Read the second section of The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin
· Write two blogs
Week six:
· Read the last section of The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin
· Write two blogs
Week seven:
· Write two for Adventure of Huckleberry Fin
Week eight:
· Write two blogs comparing and contrasting the two books
· The end of quarter