A Comparative Analysis of Different Kinds of Humanism in The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn a.doc

毕业论文（设计）A Comparative Analysis of Different Kinds of Humanism in The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn and The Catcher in the Rye1. Introduction11.1 Mark Twain and Huck21.2 Salinger and Holden21.3 Classification of humanism31.3.1 Classical humanism31.3.2 Philosophical humanism42. Human relations42.1 Huck and Jim42.2 Huck and Tom72.3 Holden and the two nuns82.4 Holden and Jane Gallagher93. Lying and phoniness113.1 Lies in The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn113.2 Phoniness in The catcher in the Rye124. Moral values (dilemmas) and worldview134.1 Hucks choices134.2 Holdens dilemmas155. Conclusion17References191. IntroductionKnown as the bildungsroman (novel of formative education, class of novel in German literature that deals with the formative years of an individual, (see Robert McHenry, Volume 2, 1768:212.), The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn and The Catcher in the Rye are very popular with the young people, although this two novels were written in different period with different theme and background. These two novels are also the book of Humanism. Humanism is a system of thought that considers that solving human problems with the help of reason is more important that religious beliefs. It emphasizes the fact that the basic nature of human being is good. (see Sally Wehmeier, 1970:862.) In this dissertation I am going to compare Humanism in two books and find out the different emphasizing aspects on Humanism. It also can reflect the different humanistic ideas in 19th century and 20th century.1.1 Mark Twain and HuckThe name of Mark Twain is much better known than Samuel Clemens. In the history of American literature, Twain is a great realist and satirist in late 19th century. His major works were written in the period from 1870-1910 when America was transformed from free trade capitalism to monopolistic stage with a high speed. Most of his works reflect the American social life and have great significance. In 1884, Mark Twain wrote one of the most controversial and remembered novels in the world of literature, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain made Huckleberry Finn represent him fictionally in this book. Huck did the same typical boy things as Twain. Twain based this book on things that were happening during this time in his life. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain reveals the American social life and concern about the humanity and consciences development and perfection.1.2 Salinger and Holden Comparing the past life experience of Salinger with the Holden who is the protagonist in his masterpiece The Catcher in the Rye, it is clear that there are so many similarities in them. No wonder Salinger can reveal the younger boys mental activity profoundly and strike a sympathetic chord among the young people. “The Catcher in the Rye is like an autobiography. He had Holden raised in a similar setting as himself, and all of Holdens outstanding characteristics like his reclusive nature, discontent, and anger towards the movie industry are all from Salingers personal life” (Net.1). Salinger created Holden for criticizing the coldness, phony, superficialness and lack of the humanistic care in the world.1.3 Classification of humanism What is humanism? Nobody can easily answer this question because the definitions of humanism are very different in different period of the time. The development of Humanism has been passed through a long time and its emphasizing aspects are various. Although they share many fundamental principles, there is a great deal of variety among them - not simply in their conclusions about specific issues, but also in their more philosophic attitudes. So, this dissertation will summarize two kinds of Humanism, Classical Humanism and Philosophical Humanism.1.3.1 Classical humanism “Classical humanism hold the belief that individual worth came from the individuals capacity to reason, which could shape character and life according to rarional standards.” (Net.2)Lewis Loflin regards Classical Humanism as a philosophy of reason and science in the pursuit of knowledge. Therefore, when it comes to the question of the most valid means for acquiring knowledge of the world, Humanists reject arbitrary faith, authority, revelation, and altered states of consciousness. 1.3.2 Philosophical humanism“Humanism as a philosophy today can be as little as an perspective on life or as much as an entire way of life; the common feature is that it is always focused primarily on human needs and interests. Philosophic Humanism can be distinguished form other forms of humanism precisely by the fact that it constitutes some sort of philosophy, whether minimalist or far-reaching, that helps define how a person lives and how a person interacts with other humans.”(Net.3) Austin Cline regards Philosophical Humansim as a code of thinking and living. It teaches people the way of thinking and how to find the perfect solution of the problem and pursue the happiness and harmony in society. This dissertation will reveal the Classical Humanism and the Philosophical Humanism embodied in The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn and The Catcher in the Rye separately.2. Human relations2.1 Huck and JimIn The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn, the friendship between Huck who is a boy from the lowest rung of the white social ladder and Jim who is a black slave is the main clue that link up the whole novel. According to convention of that time, it was impossible for a white boy to establish the friendship with a black slave due to the racial discrimination in that period, but Huck did. Huck made friend with Jim and it is caused by his Family background. Huck is only a 13-years old boy who comes from the loweat levels of white society. His father is a drunk and a ruffian who disappears for months. Huck himself is dirty and frequently homeless. Under such environment it is impossible for him to accept the regular education and religious training. So he has not been indoctrinated with the main social values at that period. However, he still is a white boy, and there are some conventions in white ingrained in his mind. So in the course of the friendships establishment, he must struggle with some of the preconceptions about the blacks that society had ingrained in him. I would like to choose two episodes to illustrate my point. “It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warnt ever sorry for it afterward, neither. I didnt do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldnt done that one if Id a knowed it would make him feel that way.” (Mark Twain, 1876:86.)Huck plays the trick on Jim in the fog. Jim gets mad at Huck for making a fool of him after he had worried about him so much. Jim calls Huck “trash”. In the white society it is very ridiculous for a white man to apologize to a black slave and it is not necessary at all, but Huck does and does not regret it. He feels bad about hurting Jim. As Huck spends more time with Jim in the course of adventure, he is forced to question the facts that white society has taught him and that he has taken for granted. Huck starts to aware that the black should also receive the same respect as the white. Huck starts to do things out of his conscience instead of the morals and precepts of the society. “When I waked up just at daybreak he was sitting there with his head down betwixt his knees, moaning and mourning to himself. I didnt take notice nor let let on. I knowed what is was about. He was thinking about his wife and his children, away up yonder, and he was low and homesick; because he hadnt ever been away from home before in his life; and I do believe he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for theirn. It dont seem natural, but I reckon its so. He was often moaning and mourning that way nights, when he judged I was asleep, and saying, “po little Lizabeth! Po little Johnny! Its might hard; I spec I aint ever gwyne to see you no mo, no mo! ” He was a mighty good nigger, Jim was.”(Mark Twain, 1876:155.)Jims sensitivity in longing for his family contrasts him with the debased white character of the surrounding chapters. As usual, Huck qualifies his observations a bit. Noting that it doesnt seem “natural” for Jim to be so attach to his family. According to the rules in the white society, the black may be uncivilized, ruthless and care for nobody except himself, but Jim shows his true sentiments. So Huck realizes that Jim is the same with the white. Jim and himself share a similar human nature-compassion love for family. In this aspect the black and the white share the same code. The white and the black are the same and black should also obtain the right to live together with their own family.2.2 Huck and TomHucks friendship with Tom is totally different with Jim. Jim is a real and sincere friend of Huck, as well as a surrogate father. Jim takes care of Huck without being intrusive or smothering. He cooks for the boy and shelters him from some of the worst horrors that they encounter, including the sight of Paps corpse, even the news of his fathers passing. So in the course of adventure Huck gradually feels Jims sincerity so Huck requite the same feeling. As to Tom, he is the protagonist in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In The Adventures of Huckkelberry Finn he becomes a foil to Huck. As a playmate of Huck, he does have something attractive to make Huck play with him at the beginning. However, Huck slowly realizes that Toms behavior is incredible stupidity and startling cruelty. So he slowly alienates from Tom.“Tom told me what his plan was, and I see in a minute it was worth fifteen of mine for style, and would make Jim just as free a man as mine would, and maybe get us all killed besides.”(Mark Twain, 1876:233.)In the beginning of the book, Tom is again used as a foil to Huck. Brash, unconcerned with others, and dependent on the “authorities” of romantic adventure novels, Tom hatchs a wild plan to free Jim. Huck recognizes the foolishness and potential danger of Toms plan and says it could get the three of them killed. Hucks moral development is sharply contrasted to the character of Tom. Through his own deep introspection, he comes to his own conclusions, unaffected by the accepted, and often-hypocritical precepts of Southern culture. Huck bases these decisions on his experience, his own sense of logic, and what his conscience tells him. However, Tom is self-concern with dominion over all. A bizarre mix of adventure novels and Sunday-school teachings influences him. Tom believes in sticking strictly to “rules”, most of which have more to do with style than with morality or anyones welfare. He use these things to justify his outrageous and potentially harmful escapades. From Hucks attitude towards friendship between Jim and Tom, it is clear that Huck is able to judge the people around him. He knows what the true friend is and how to treat them. He gains these human insights without the affection of the social precepts. It is his own observation, conscience and deep thought that make him become a true man gradually. It shows that the external environment is not very important for a person to be a true man. It is the internal factors-conscience and personal introspection that play a vital role in the shape of human insight.2.3 Holden and the two nunsHoldens contact with the two nuns maybe the only time that he succeeded in communicating with strangers. “I said Id enjoyed talking to them a lot, too. Id have enjoyed it even more though, I think, if I hadnt been sort of afraid, the whole time I was talking to them, that theyd all of a sudden try to find out I was a Catholic.”(J. D. 塞林格, 1951:335.) It is clear that Holden really enjoys talking with the two nuns whom he meets at the little sandwich bar. They share the same topic although they get different ideas. The two nuns are very kind-hearted, generous, sincere and polite who is sharply different from the people Holden has met before. So Holden likes to get in touch with them and really feels happy to have conversation with them. “When they got up to go, the two nuns, I did something very stupid and embarrassing. I was smoking a cigarette, and when I stood up to say good-bye to them, by mistake I blew some smoke in their face. I did not mean to, but I did it. I apologized like a madman, and they were very polite and nice about it, but it was very embarrassing anyway.”(J. D. 塞林格, 1951:337.)From the above episode, we can see clearly the differences between the two nuns and the other people Holden has met. Taking the Taxi driver for example, when Holden asks him where the dark is in winter, the driver gets mad at him and looks him as a mad. Actually Holden asks this question is out of youngers curiosity and concern. The adult should be more patient and provide more comprehension to the young and to know what they really need. The two nuns are very nice to Holden. They know how to communicate with him and how to lead the conversation to the area that Holden is interested in. Although when they part with Holden, Holden does something really rude to them. They have tolerance for Holden and still be nice to him. It is the two nuns tolerance and understanding that makes communication succeed. The interaction between people cannot exist without mature understanding and generous heart. 2.4 Holden and Jane GallagherHolden spents a lot of time one summer with Jane when their families stayed in neighboring summerhouse in Maine. Jane never actually appears in The Catcher in the Rye, but she is extremely important to Holden. Because she is one of the few girls whom he both respects and finds attractive. “I really got to know her quite intimately. I dont mean it was anything phusical or anything it wasnt-but we saw each other all the time. You dont always have to get too sexy to get to know a girl.”(J. D. 塞林格, 1951:298.)Through his nostalgic memories of Jane, we gain insight into the type of companionship Holden wants. He mentions that he knew he was happy when he was with Jane-this is the feeling that he is lacking at the present moment. His memories of Jane are especially touching because he describes a very deep emotional connection. Additionally, their moments of intimacy were subtle and extremely personal, free of any sort of posturing or phoniness. Holden desperately continues searching for new relationship and wants to find the same deep, compassionate connection he once experienced with Jane but failed. So it makes him fall into deep loneliness, pain and desperation. Actually Jane does not exist in this novel and it means that in the days of wondering in New York she does not accompany with Holden. She exists in the Holdens vision. From his description it is clear that Holdens insight of love relationship, which is pure and sincere. Jane knows what Holden really needs so she can make him happy and establish a intimate, warm and touching interaction with Holden. It shows that love relationship is based on the mutual understanding and respects not just the sex behavior. Only the full communication and consideration and mutual respect and make relationship last forever and make people happy. 3. Lying and phoniness3.1 Lies in The Adventures of Huckelberry FinnIn The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn there are a lot of lies and scams. Many of them comes from the Duck and Dauphin. It is clear that these lies are bad: they hurt innocent people. Their scams are all out of their greed and selfish desire. In order to achieve their personal unlawful goals they do everything regardless of other peoples interest. It is the behavior that Mark Twain critizes greatly. Finally they are made to pay for what they have done-they are tarred and feathered in the Phelpss town. Yet Huck tells a number of lies himself, and cons a few people. But his point of consideration is totally different from the Duck and Dauphin. Huck is out of his kind-hearted and what he tells is the “white lies”.“Well,then, says I, whats the use you learning to do right when its troublesome to do right and aint no to do wrong, and the wages is just the same? I was stuck. I couldnt answer that. So I reckoned I wouldnt bother no more about it, but after this always do whichever come handiest at the time.”(Mark Twain, 1876:91.)In the course of drifting, Huck comes upon some men in a boat who want to search his raft for escaped slaves. In order to protect Jim, he makes up a story about a smallpox outbreak. As Huck realizes, it seems that telling a lie can actually be good thing, depending on its purpose. This insight is part of Hucks learning process, as he finds that some of the things that hes been taught contradict what seems to be “right”. It shows that humanist choice can be sometimes determined by a good intention. Only the good purpose can justify the decision is right or not. So in the society, when we make choice is not necessary for us to consider others opinion or some prevalent rules. We are independent natural man and have supreme right to make choice by ourselves.3.2 Phoniness in The catcher in the RyeIn The catcher in the Rye, Salinger stresses Holdens feelings about phony people. The importance of not being phony and being honest is the theme that Salinger presents in this story. Holden is disgusted at all the phony people in the world. Holden had a tough time fitting in at his schools because he thought of almost everyone as phonies. Its full of phonies, and all you do is study so that you can learn enough to be smart enough to be able to buy a goddam Cadillac some day, and you have to keep making believe you give a damn if the football team loses, and all you do is talk about girls and liquor and sex all day, and everybody sticks togethe