This girl was the dead young daughter of the Grangerfield family, which if you read, is the family that takes part in the feud with the Shepherdsons. While alive, she drew dark, bleak paintings, with lines bearing such words as, "Shall I Never See Thee More Alas" and "I Shall Never Hear Thy Sweet Chirrup More Alas". Huck had never speculated on such black pictures. They were of girls weeping, mournful, and overall depressed. She also kept a scrapbook of obituaries and such occurrences, and along with the pastings, she wrote poetry she dedicated to those people or events. Tributes she called them. It seemed she look life as not a permanent state, and thought to show the suffering through her eyes. Huck thought it wrong that she wrote for the dead all the time, yet no one ever wrote for her. It is rather sad, and ironic.
What are your thoughts on this depressive, creatively inspired girl? And if there was such a tribute written about her, what do you think it might be filled with? Also, why do you believe Twain included such a deep, caring character is such a cowardly, selfish society?
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I believe Mark Twain was trying to make a contrast. White looks whiter next to black. By adding this character it can make the reader realize just how pitiful the society is. And also I think this was the first time Huck Finn showed any kind of emotion another than stubborness. This was a turning point in the story where Huck felt compassion for others.
ReplyDeleteThe whole novel is showing how corrupt society was back then, and this character only helps to prove his point. Like James said, he makes a contrast with how this girl was compared to everyone else around her. It is almost the same with the river being a sanctuary compared to the land where corruption and deceit were everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThis girl seemed like she wished she could've lived differently. She was obsessed with death and morbidity. I would assume that was because of the situation her family was in. The battle between the Grangerfords and the Sheperdsons surrounded her with death and unhappiness due to all the worry for her family and there lives'. And that's no way to live.
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