Pathos

Blog Post #1 - Laura (pg. 100-150)

Though his character’s use of pathos, Jim is endeared both to Huck and to the reader. Jim’s past -- colored, evident from his conversations with Huck, by mistreatment and distrust -- make him sympathetic and a likeable character who needs Huck’s protection. Jim tells Huck, “Dah you goes, de ole true Huck; de on’y white genlman dat ever kep’ his promise to old Jim” (100). Huck uses pathos to convince some other men on the river to stay away from him and Jim. Huck thus diverts the strangers’ unwanted attentions through his invention of a story and fake family, by which he evokes fear of smallpox in saying “Maybe you’d help me tow the raft ashore where the light is. He’s sick -- and so is my ma and Mary Ann” (101). When the men subsequently prepare to  leave them in disgust and fear Huck tells them, “I’ve told everybody before, and then they just went away and left us” (102), evoking pity in the men who then give him $40. Later, in his encounter with the Grangerford family, the family takes pity on Huck as the novel’s protagonist once again uses pathos to manipulate others into helping him achieve what he wants. Because he looks so pitiful the family offers to help him; the mother asks: “The poor thing’s just as wet as he can be; and don’t you reckon it may be he’s hungry?” (109). The man who tells Huck and Jim he’s actually a duke uses pathos in his speeches to gain sympathy from Huck and Jim in saying “There’s a grave somewhere for me. The world may go on just as it’s always done, and take everything from me...but it can’t take that” (137). In Huckleberry Finn, all characters but especially Huck, often use pathos to manipulate others to achieve their goals and get what they want.

Blog Post #2 - Kelly (pg. 150-200)

Twain uses humor to show the ignorance of the characters in the novel. In the beginning of chapter twenty two, the duke and the king imitate Hamlet and Macbeth; their misplaced phrases of the famous plays is just the beginning of the scammers.

Huck’s character develops and matures through these chapters and he watches Jim mourn for his wife and children. The audience feels for Huck as he begins to realize that African Americans love their families just as much as whites love theirs saying, “I do believe he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for ther’n. It don’t seem natural, but I reckon it’s so” (173). Twain evokes pathos by bringing in the sense of love and family into the novel; although the audience felt sympathy towards Huck with his abusive father, it is heartwarming when Twain showed a character like Jim, almost helpless, with such great emotion towards his family, especially after being harassed by the duke and king. Later on, Huck witnesses the scammers pretend to be Peter Wilks brother in order to collect his fortune after his death. Huck says, “It was enough to make a body ashamed of the human race” (181). Although Huck seems to be reckless, adventurous, and unsympathetic for the most part, Twain shows the development of his character as he begins to feel guilty for being apart of such sinful, deplorable actions. Furthermore, Huck feels so terribly about the scam that returns the money to the Wilks sisters, showing the utmost sympathy to their situation.  

Blog Post #3 - Gaby (pg. 200-250)

“So I was full of trouble, full as I could be; and didn't know what to do.” (...) So I got a piece of paper and a pencil, (...) set down and wrote: Miss Watson, your runaway nigger Jim is down here two mile below Pikesville, and Mr. Phelps has got him and he will give him up for the reward if you send.

Although one could argue that Huckleberry Finn is a daredevil, Finn also feels guilt and hesitation when he realizes the wrong he is doing. In this case, Finn becomes aware of the fact that by helping a slave escape his orders from his master is ethical and illegal. Moreover, Huck feels shame as numerous individuals from his community taunt him for assisting a man of color. Despite the fact that Huck is willing to partake in mischievous activities, such as lying and smoking, Huck retains his personal morals. Although slavery is unethical and Huck understands that, society during the 1800s perceived assisting black people as inhumane, thus the “proper” way for Finn to handle the difficult muddle he put himself into was by informing Miss Watson.

Blog Post #4 - Kelly (pg. 250-300)

Huck shows his love and connection with Jim through his anger with the con men after they sold Jim for $40. He is furious, "after all we'd done for them scoundrels . . . they could have the heart to serve Jim and make him a slave again all his life." Twain shows the growth and maturity of Huck; his conscience is running, feeling guilty for helping Jim escape. Jim’s capture symbolizes the breakup of Huck and the con men. Twain is appealing to all followers in Christ when Huck is selfless enough to “go to hell” (239) for Jim. This shows that at this point in the novel, Huck is placing Jim’s life equal to his own, a completely foreign concept to the time. Huck refuses to view Jim as disgraceful or shameful. Later on, Huck reaches civilization; his narration reveals all of the lessons and growing he has done while away. Huck is disgusted, “Human beings can be awful cruel to one another” (257). Later on, Twain reintroduces humor after an emotional few chapters after Jim is back with Huck again. Huck is sarcastic to Jim concerning his ability to read and write, being absurd given that Jim is an educationally-neglect slave.

Blog Post #5 - Laura (pg. 300-350)
Huck hides bread and butter under his hat which, prior to being discovered, Aunt Sally believes are the effects of sweat from a fever. Aunt Sally exclaims “Oh, what a turn you did give me! And how glad and grateful I am it ain’t no worse,” (302), embracing Huck. Huck and Tom again evoke pathos in the form of sympathy from Aunt Sally when Tom goes missing and she becomes worried about him. In her concern for his whereabouts, Aunt Sally demonstrates her concern and care for Tom. Aunt Sally asks Huck, “And you won’t go? For my sake?” (313). Sally uses pathos to convince Huck to stay with her by evoking sympathy and being kind.