A Separate Peace, Honors

5.    In the novel, there is a definition of "Separate Peace."  What is it?  How else can this term

       be applied to the novel?

A Separate Peace, Honors

4.  What is Brinker's purpose in the novel?

A Separate Peace, Honors

3.   At the end of the book, Leper has been discharged from the service.  What indicators                 throughout the novel show that he may not be fit for military duty?

A Separate Peace, Honors

2.  Gene has a feeling of enmity toward Finny.  What is the definition of enmity and tell how this        describes Gene's feelings.

A Separate Peace, Honors

1.  Give an example of Finny's adventuresome spirit.  Include a quote from the text that supports        the example you used.

THE END. YOURS TRULY, HUCK FINN.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I had to slog through this book. (Today while working at the library, Diana and I even discussed the differences between plodding, slogging, and muddling. I think this would have to be a slogging case.) The first 15 or so chapters of the book took what felt like forever to get through. Since the speech was new to me, I has to read the same lines over and over again just to understand what someone was saying. That was definitely and obstacle in reading this book.

But...after getting through those tough chapters, I began to become interested in the book. At one point during my reading, I thought to myself how ordinary this book was. The events of it were things that would actually happen; there weren't any outrageous or ridiculous happenings that just weren't realistic. The situations that Huck got into and the thoughts that he had were what any normal person of that time period would have. Usually an adventure book would have something that would never happen to a regular, ordinary citizen. I guess that's what made me enjoy this book as much as I did. It had components of suspense (getting through Huck's extensive speeches and trains of thought), humor (Tom and Huck discussing Jim's rescue), and even some danger (Huck's time at the Grangerford's during the feud; Tom getting shot in the leg). The character personalities were my favorite aspects. The numerous amusing exchanges kept me interested when I just wanted to close the book forever.

All in all, I enjoyed the book, even though I was glad to read its final words.

Language

I actually have liked Huck Finn, but I want to take this time to look at the way the language is used compared to what I have read. The english that is used in Huck Finn reminds me of some of the older English, like Shakespeare. Sometimes, it isn't completely understandable, especially when Jim talks. Other times, when Huck and others are talking it is a lot more understandable, because it is closer to what we use in everyday life. Twain shows that the English used in Huck Finn is definately an improvement (at least in our terms) on the language used by Shakespeare and the other 18th century poets. What do you guys think about the language that is used in Huck Finn? How does our language relate to the language used in said book?

[notrelated]Also, just a little plug here, since I have no way of contacting you guys outside of school. I am wondering if any of you guys (or gals) would be interested in something called SEDS (www.seds.org). If any of you guys are, please email me. [notrelated]