Chapters 36-39

This forum is for the discussion of Huckleberry Finn, Chapters 36-39.

Chapters 36-39:

The reader begins to feel as frustrated as Jim as we continue to hear all of Tom's requirements for the prisoner. Everytime Jim fulfills his end of the deal and is ready to escape, there is a new set of rules. The 'warning' letter seems like it may ruin the possiblity of escape altogether. Huck has faded into the background, and is rarely seen in these chapters except to do Tom's bidding.

Until now I have really enjoyed this book, but I don't like the turn it has taken. Hucks observation that Tom is good at supervising while doing none of the work hearkens back to the book, Tom Sawyer!
In these chapters, though suppesed to be humorous, are frustrating to the reader. I felt like was was reading a modern day twist to Don Quxote! Huckallows Tom to take over and they seem to forget the importance of getting Jim away or that Jim is a real person with real worries and pain. I wonder what Jim makes of all this? Helpless to the white man, as usual.

I agree!! I was so mad at the boys, I wanted to reach into the story and shake them. Especially Huck who knows how important this freedom is. I think it really puts into perspective how 'enslaved' Huck has been all of his life, that he can't stand up to his peer.

Yes.. that's what it is, isn't it? Even though he can and does think for himself, when he gets around people whom he thinks of as superior, ie. Tom, or are older adults, ie. the royalty, he defers to them. This probably stems from his abusive and violent father. Huck just doesn't want to make waves.