Paper
Mark Twain is known to be one of the greatest American writers in history. His fifteenth novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is one of the most read, discussed, and taught novels in American culture. Twain’s unusual ability to present thoughts and ideas in many different ways played a significant part in the success of this novel. In the second paragraph of Chapter 19 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain uses a colloquial style to paint a portrait of the Mississippi river, a recurring theme throughout the plot. He uses many different techniques to achieve the picture he desires to portray to the audience; such techniques include vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, and imagery. By using these techniques, Twain gives the audience a realistic picture of the river that also proves to be poetic.
The vocabulary that Twain uses illustrates a calm and comfortable image of the river. The comfortable image is conveyed through the given fact that the characters would ”by-and-by, lazy off to sleep. Wake up, by-and-by” and spend their days ”lazying around,” fearless of being caught. Twain’s repeated use of the words ”lonesomeness” and ”lazy” bring to mind another quiet and peaceful picture of the comforting river. Another literary device that Twain uses to communicate the security of the river is voice. The underdeveloped vocabulary and lack of grammatical education given to Huck’s character give the passage a relaxed, conversational voice. ” We couldn’t see no sign of them; it made you feel crawly, it was like spirits carrying on that way in the air. Jim said he believed it was spirits; but I says: ’No, spirits wouldn’t say, ’dern the dern fog.’” In this quote, one can see the simplistic and colloquial language in which both Huck and Jim speak. Although their dialect may, at times, be difficult to understand, their unadorned speech gives no unnecessary words to garble the audience.
In this short passage, grammar and sentence structure go hand in hand to create a sense of rhythm and timing of the river. The passage contains only a few sentences, varying slightly in length, but they are all generally clearly phrased. The scene of the ax chopping wood that Huck describes is one long sentence divided up by commas, dashes, and semi-colons: ”You’d see the ax flash, and come down – you don’t hear nothing; you see that ax go up again, and by the time it’s above the man’s head, then you hear the k’chunk.” Each of the commas, dashes, and semi-colons represent a ”tick” and ”tock” of the time that Huck is passing away on the raft. The ”tick” and ”tock” keep the passage flowing, almost at a pulsating beat. Another example of such is the description of the steamboats seen floating by on the river: ”Wake up, by-and-by, and look to see what done it, and maybe see a steamboat, coughing along up stream, so far off towards the other side you couldn’t tell nothing about her only whether she was stern-wheel or side wheel.” These quotes from the passage created a rhythm, which was imperative in making it a poetic piece.
The use of imagery in this passage is crucial to establishing a realistic view of the river. In the scenes in which Huck and Jim ”cook up a hot breakfast,” ”see a raft sliding by,” and ”listen to the stillness,” Twain is creating a ”real” river where the characters do everyday things. Though the serenity of the Mississippi river may represent the calmness and security of nature, as opposed to the harsh, chaotic world on shore, it is not a complete safe-haven from the dangers and disorder that humanity can present. By creating scenes of everyday actions, Twain is demonstrating the fact that anything that can occur on shore may occur on the water also, regardless of how unethical it may be.
Though some may believe the second paragraph of Chapter 19 is but a mere description of the scenic view, careful analyzing would lead one to rethink their thoughts on the subject. Through careful utilization of literary devices such as vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, and imagery, Mark Twain is able to give deeper meaning to what seems to be a simple descriptive paragraph. His writing techniques enable him to present a portrait of the river in a simple, yet poetic, realistic, and lyrical manner.
Другие работы по теме:
Nile River Essay Research Paper Without the
Nile River Essay, Research Paper Without the Nile, the great Egyptian back in the Ancient Times would have been nothing, except for an empire filled with sand. But the gods were with Egypt that time, and gave Egypt the only hope of surviving The Nile River. The Nile is the longest river on Earth. But now Egypt has started developing and changing, let alone mention that it is worldwide known.
Huck Finn And The Mississippi River Essay
, Research Paper The Mississippi River in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , by Mark Twain, symbolizes the journey that one takes in life. The text reflects the way in which Huck and Jim feel about the river. During the times of peacefulness and calm, the river is depicted in a wondrous way. The text is long and flowing to reflect the feelings that Huck receives from the river.
Pope Leo X Essay Research Paper 1518
Pope Leo X Essay, Research Paper 1518 (150 Kb); Oil on wood, 154 x 119 cm (60 5/8 x 46 7/8 in); Uffizi, Florence It was for this achievement that Raphael has remained famous throughout the centuries. Perhaps those who connect his name only with beautiful Madonnas and idealized figures from the classical world may even be surprised to see Raphael’s portrait of his great patron Pope Leo X of the Medici family, in the company of two cardinals.
Maggie Obituary Essay Research Paper Margaret Johnson
Maggie Obituary Essay, Research Paper Margaret Johnson, only daughter of Mary Murphy: found dead in the East River at age 23 Margaret Johnson, also called Maggie, was a successful seamstress and the only daughter of Mary Murphy died on November 19 in the East River where she was spotted floating atop the freezing cold water.
Two Hearted River Essay Research Paper In
Two Hearted River Essay, Research Paper In this story Nick and the fish at the bottom of the river share many similarities. Of course the do not look alike but they seem to think the same in a way. They both have reasons to be where they are.
The Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck
(1902 – 1968) Essay, Research Paper Perhaps Steinbeck’s most popular and true-to-life novel, The Grapes of Wrath exposes the grinding hardships of the “Okie” migrants. With brief
Untitled Essay Research Paper Dear Mr Peace
Untitled Essay, Research Paper Dear Mr. Peace, The Connecticut River also known as by it s Algonquin name Long River is very rich and still useable for transportation. The chemical plant that you are proposing to put on the
Nick And The River From Hemingway
’s “Big Two-Hearted River” Essay, Research Paper Nick and the River by Kirk Wintermute In Ernest Hemingway’s short story “Big Two-Hearted River,” there are very few obvious relationships. But the
Jacque Marquette Essay Research Paper Jacques MarquetteFebruary
Jacque Marquette Essay, Research Paper Jacques Marquette February 25,1997 Jacques Marquette was a great French Jesuit Missionary and explorer. He was also known as Pere Marquette. He was born at Laon in Northern France on June 1, 1637. He was one of the first white men to explore the upper Mississippi River region.
River Project Essay Research Paper Since the
River Project Essay, Research Paper Since the beginning of the Americas the rivers have been a very important source of transportation. If not for the river the shipment of goods would have taken a very long time and would have been almost impossible through the dense forests of the New World. The Mississippi in time has been used for transportation.
Oscar Wilde
’s The Picture Of Dorian Gray Essay, Research Paper Main characters: Dorian Gray–> 20 years old at the beginning of the book and around 40 at the end. A very handsome young man. he stays young because he sold his soul to the devil.
Lesson Plan Essay Research Paper Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan Essay, Research Paper Lesson Plan: Reading Grade Level:Fourth Grade Aim:To recall the sequence of events in a story, using a story pie. Behavioral Objective:Students recall the sequence of events in a story, using a story pie, with 80% accuracy.
Sandro Botticelli Essay Research Paper Portrait of
Sandro Botticelli Essay, Research Paper Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap Sandro Botticelli, real name Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi, was one of the greatest painters of the Florentine Renaissance. His work, Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap, captures his highly personalized style. He is known for his execution and precise use of lines to portray objects realistically.
Hemmingway 2 Essay Research Paper The themes
Hemmingway 2 Essay, Research Paper The themes of alienation and isolation go hand in hand with the role nature plays in Ernest Hemmingway s short story The Big Two-Hearted River. Nick Adams, whose life and personality parallels that of Hemmingway, constantly retreats to nature to find a quiet place of reflection and self-examination.
The Glass Managerie Essay Research Paper Tennessee
The Glass Managerie Essay, Research Paper Tennessee Williams is well known for the use of symbols in her plays. Symbol or symbolism is when an object, a thing, a person, an animal or anything tangible represents an abstract idea. In the play The Glass Managerie, Tennessee successfully uses a variety
My Trip On The Ganges River Essay
, Research Paper My Trip on the Ganges River Dear Paul, About 2 weeks ago I went on an exciting trip along the Ganges River. In this letter I’ll tell you all about it. It turns out that the Ganges has its
Portrait Of An Artist As A Yong
Man Essay, Research Paper A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Essay Jame Joyce+s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is in reality a portrait of Stephen Dedalus, the book+s main character. It is from Stephen+s point of view that the reader sees the world and this point of view changes as Stephens development changes.
The Significance Of River Systems Essay Research
Paper The Significance of River Systems in Our World River systems do many things in today s world. They shape the way lands are formed and established. For example, if a certain area has a nearby large river it shapes that area in a different way than an area without a river. An area with a river might be more moist and suitable for vegetation.
Journey Essay Research Paper A journey on
Journey Essay, Research Paper A journey on a river often has symbolic meaning, and in the movie ?Black Robe,? this classic scene of a river journey is no different. A river journey can represent a change in one?s life, maybe not only a physical change, but also a mental and spiritual change. Traveling from one part of a river to another part is like traveling from one state of mind to another state, a passage into something new and different.
Arnolfinis Marriage Essay Research Paper Jan van
Arnolfini?s Marriage Essay, Research Paper Jan van Eyck was ?one of the greatest and most influential Flemish painters of altarpieces and portraits of the 1400’s? (Hayes). van Eyck’s paintings often include objects with hidden symbolic meaning. There are several different interpretations of the symbolic meaning concerning his portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his second bride often referred to as ?The Arnolfini Marriage?.
Robert Browning`S
“My Last Duchess” Essay, Research Paper My Last Duchess Essay written by Anonymous A dramatic monologue is a poem in which a single speaker who is not the poet recites the entire poem at a critical moment. The speaker has a listener within the poem, but the reader of the poem is also one of the speakers listeners.
The Swing Essay Research Paper every summer
The Swing Essay, Research Paper every summer i go to my grandpa’s house it was when i was six years old that we first took the walk across the old bridge that bridge was a special bridge
Symbolism Of Raft And River In The
Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn Essay, Research Paper I chose to examine the symbolism of the raft and river, and the journey Huck and Jim take on it in Mark Twain’s “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn”.
Metaphor Essay Research Paper Writing Assignment
Metaphor Essay, Research Paper Writing Assignment #1 Final Copy January 18th, 1995 Life is a white water river. At first I paddle slowly along the uncharacteristically-calm waters to school. I
Conflicts Essay Research Paper There are many
Conflicts Essay, Research Paper There are many conflicts shown in ?The Bass, The River and Sheila Mant? that are different from ?The Cold Equations? In this English paper I will explain to you three
Portrait Photography Essay Research Paper PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHYThe
Portrait Photography Essay, Research Paper PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY The miniature portrait had retained its popularity with all social classes until the middle of the 19th century, when it was replaced by the more intimate and more simply executed technique of photography. The earliest portrait photographers were thoroughly painterly in their approach, since they faced fierce competition from painters.
Spoon River Essay Research Paper Spoon River
Spoon River Essay, Research Paper Spoon River Thomas Rhodes talks about how the people in Spoon River could have prevented their hard times. He compared people in Spoon River to navigators and sailors because they found with all their boasted wisdom how hard at the last it is to keep the soul from splitting into cellular atoms.
Siddartha The River As A Symbol Essay
, Research Paper SIDDARTHA: THE RIVER AS A SYMBOL The river is a common symbol that corresponds to he creative power of nature and of time. On one hand it can signify fertility; and on the other it signifies the irreversible
The Mississippi River Essay Research Paper The
The Mississippi River Essay, Research Paper The Mississippi River The Mississippi River, 3,779 km (2,348 mi) long, is the second longest river, after the Missouri, in the United States. Its triangular drainage area, covering about 40% of the country and including all or part of 31 states, is approximately 3,250,000 sq km (1,250,000 sq mi), the third largest in the world.
River Essay Research Paper Review A River
River Essay, Research Paper Review: A River Runs Through It is a deceptively simple story about a typical, early-twentieth century Montana family. It traces the lives of two brothers from boyhood to adulthood. Water, and a river in particular, are symbolic of the fact that most of the events in any life are accidental or arbitrary, especially the crucial ones.
Iowa An American Portrait Essay Research Paper
Iowa- An American Portrait The film Iowa- An American Portrait was narrated by Tom Brokaw. It described the land, people, education, work, religion, and family life of Iowa. One of the main topics of the film was the general view of Iowa- the Farm State. Iowa has more than two- hundred- thousand farms; ninety- eight percent of Iowa s total land is used for production; with ninety percent of total land being used for the production of food.