huck & jim

After playing “Pin the Hat on Dr. Larson” today I began to think about the idea of Jim leading a blind Huck. The more I thought about it the more I came to believe that Huck was really the leader of the relationship and that Jim had on the blindfold. Yes, Huck did need some of Jim’s experience and guidance when he went into various towns and situations, but Jim was the one who blindly followed Huck. Jim put his life in Huck’s hands and trusted that he would not turn him in, a faith that was completely unwarranted. Then, after an instance where Huck proves that he will not betray Jim, Jim truly gives Huck his wholehearted devotion. Regardless of his confidence in Huck, Jim can still ensure his freedom by running away from him, but he doesn’t. Jim continues to be loyal to Huck and watches over him like a parent does their child. Jim never questions Huck’s character and blindly follows while Huck is in control and calling out instructions.

is huck too young to learn about prayer?

In Chapter 3, Huck struggles to understand prayer. Miss Watson tells him that he can get anything that he wants if he prays for it so, naturally, Huck decides that can get fishing gear. The more he thinks about this idea of prayer he cannot grasp why everyone does not have everything they need and want. At his current state of maturity Huck cannot see things beyond their literal meaning. This idea ties in with that of banned books. The character of Huck provides an example of the complications that can result from a young person not being able to comprehend the underlying meanings and values in a book such as the Bible or The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I do not agree with any form of censorship, but can understand people and parents thinking that certain books and topics are inappropriate for certain ages. I am wary of this idea though. It seems dangerous to give any person the power to decide who can read what, even on a small scale. At the same time students should have to feel uncomfortable or insulted by a text required for a class. This can then be taken beyond what is good for children and become what is good for a college or even what is good for a country. This idea of age, maturity, intelligence, or morals varies greatly between individulas and is thus very difficult to solve and will likely be debated for quite some time.

it's a bildungsroman (better late than never)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows fits the criteria for a bildungsroman. Not only does Rowling have the book’s namesake grow and mature but she also has several other main and secondary characters develop as well. She provides several characters for her readers to relate to and draw moral guidance from. With the seven book series Harry Potter truly takes the idea of the bildungsroman to an extreme. Not only is Harry shown to grow morally and psychological, but literally in age and size as well. Harry begins as a popular, young quidditch player who was fairly egotistical, quite short-tempered, and rather individualistic. He develops into a person recognizes his need for help and understands his purpose, even to the point of being willing to sacrifice himself. Another of my favorite characters who also displays the qualities of a bildungsroman main character is Ron. Over the course of just this last book Ron also develops into a much more mature character. Ron’s turning point comes when he literally slashes his fears and insecurities with a sword and becomes a brave, heroic wizard. With this book, actually with this entire series, J.K. Rowling has definitely written a true bildungsroman.

hermione

I am not quite sure if I liked Hermione’s character in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It seemed like Harry and Ron each reached turning points in their lives. Both of them were shown to have a certain flaw. Ron lacked confidence in himself and Harry lacked an ability to trust others and accept their help and his need for it. It is pointed out that Hermione is fairly close-minded and refuses to expand her mind to believe beyond the point of empirical proof. This seems to be a big issue to me, especially for someone living in the wizarding world, and I do not see her move past this. Hermione was definitely the smartest of the three and consistently proved to be a very capable witch, but it seems that she reached her peak as a character. Maybe I am wrong and missed something. I have been a fan of Hermione in the previous books and actually hope that I did miss something. That would help to change the negative opinion of her the Deathly Hallows left me with.

harry potter #1

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Harry struggles with allowing others to help him. He repeatedly attempts to push away those who want to help him so that they will not be harmed on his behalf. Harry does not realize however that he is putting himself in danger for the good of others yet he denies his friends the opportunity to do so for him. It takes vulnerability to allow others to help you, or, in Christian terms, to serve you. Christians, me included, tend to believe they are called to serve others and are usually very willing to do so but often they do not have the humility to allow others to exercise this same call. It seems that to develop deep and meaningful relationships and community with others the willingness to be served and the humility to admit a need for help is equally important as the willingness to do the serving. Only in the times that Harry accepts his need for help are he and his friends able to accomplish their goals, and once Harry understands this he is able to fully embrace his courageous and selfless acts of service.