Mark Twain’s novel pokes fun at society and how fickle it is (look up the word “fickle” if you’re unsure what it means!). In chapter 24, the narrator says regarding the town’s treatment of Muff Potter after he is exonerated, “As usual, the fickle, unreasoning world took Muff Potter to its bosom and fondled him as lavishly as it had abused him before,” (p. 157). Later, in chapter 33, the narrator describes the petition that many in the town signed to pardon Injun Joe: “Injun Joe was believed to have killed five citizens of the village, but what of that? If he had been Satan himself there would have been plenty of weaklings ready to scribble their names to a pardon-petition, and drop a tear on it from their permanently impaired and leaky water-works,” (p. 211).
Many towns no longer have a “town square” or a place to gossip, exchange information, and belittle others. However, we have the Internet. In what way is our society (with social media platforms like Twitter) similar to the way the narrator describes Tom Sawyer’s “fickle” and “unreasoning” town of Hannibal, Missouri? Many people argue that The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is too controversial to be published as is. They believe the book should be banned or the racial epithets should be edited out. Others argue that a book like Twain’s should be preserved because it captures a period in American history that should not be forgotten (after all, if we erase the past we can’t learn from it and are likely to repeat it…). What do you think of this? Do you find the racial prejudices portrayed in this book upsetting? What should society do about books and movies that contain such elements?
As we discussed in class this week, characterization is the process by which we get to know a character in a story. We pay attention to what they do, say, think, and to what others say about them. What character in literature (this includes books, movies, or TV) do you find interesting? What is it about that character that captures you? Describe him/her and, without giving away too much about the plot, what it is about that character that you find so compelling. Remember to fully explain your response with specific examples and details from the story.
“Then they began to lay their plans. Joe was for being a hermit, and living on crusts in a remote cave, and dying, sometime, of cold, and want, and grief; but after listening to Tom, he conceded that there were some conspicuous advantages about a life of crime, and so he consented to be a pirate,” (p. 94). Even though this story has a humorous tone to it, Tom is actually dealing with some very adult problems. Life can be brutal, especially when you are young and have little control. Have you ever wanted to run away? How did/do you deal with the frustrations of life?
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Composition: 7th GradeGuidelinesThe whole purpose of this assignment - whether you're reacting to an idea, sharing your own story, or analyzing the reading - is to discuss the ultimate issues of life. With that in mind, make sure that you: Archives
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