As I read through Huckleberry Finn, I began to notice that the river has more significance than just a part of the setting. The river dictates the book and pushes the story along. T.S. Eliot, a well-renowned poet, once said about the river, that "recurrently we are reminded of its presence and its power. " What kind of power does the river have in Huck Finn? More importantly, what kind of power do rivers in general have?
It was a Saturday morning, just relaxing on the couch, watching some Sports Center. The daily sports report then turned into a special report on how fly fishing on rivers has changed the lives of many soldiers who have lost limbs in battle. Many of these soldiers deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is very difficult to recover from. A former Captain in the Navy named Ed Nicholson started a non-profit organization called "Project Healing Waters." This organization takes men who have lost limbs in war out on rivers to go fly fishing. Project Healing Waters "gives them new feelings that they are going to get through this." Being out on the river gives them hope and makes them feel safe. One of the war veterans said, "Here in the water it is peaceful" and you "don't have to worry about being attacked." The river has the power to heal the hurting souls of these war veterans. It gives them a place where they feel peaceful and safe. One of the veterans said that because of Project Healing Waters "I felt human again."
This organization is doing great things by using the peacefulness of the river to heal the hearts of many soldiers. Similar to Huck Finn, being on the river with Jim allowed Huck to see Jim in a new light. To see Jim as human. Rivers allow for growth and healing.
It was a Saturday morning, just relaxing on the couch, watching some Sports Center. The daily sports report then turned into a special report on how fly fishing on rivers has changed the lives of many soldiers who have lost limbs in battle. Many of these soldiers deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is very difficult to recover from. A former Captain in the Navy named Ed Nicholson started a non-profit organization called "Project Healing Waters." This organization takes men who have lost limbs in war out on rivers to go fly fishing. Project Healing Waters "gives them new feelings that they are going to get through this." Being out on the river gives them hope and makes them feel safe. One of the war veterans said, "Here in the water it is peaceful" and you "don't have to worry about being attacked." The river has the power to heal the hurting souls of these war veterans. It gives them a place where they feel peaceful and safe. One of the veterans said that because of Project Healing Waters "I felt human again."
This organization is doing great things by using the peacefulness of the river to heal the hearts of many soldiers. Similar to Huck Finn, being on the river with Jim allowed Huck to see Jim in a new light. To see Jim as human. Rivers allow for growth and healing.
1 comment:
You made a good point here, but I wonder if you still think in the end of the book Huck sees Jim in that light? Or did Huck transform back into the Huck of the beginning of the story where Jim is not more than property?
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