opening pages of the bluest eye and huck finn

8/11/2019 Opening Pages of The Bluest Eye and Huck Finn

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Introduction

Writers often begin their novels as an introduction to the story to follow, allowing the reader to

achieve some understanding of the plot. To draw the readers attention, the first few pages oftenshape the storys events and reveal the major thematic concerns. This is present in Mark Twains The

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as well as Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye, where the opening pages

are used to introduce several important themes as well as the main characters. While both

introductory sections signpost the key areas of their respective novels, they do approach this in

different ways, allowing different forms of insight into the text.Move straight into text, comment on

theme(s) revealed

General things to include:

Landscape, tone/narrator, context (values), linear/nonlinear, role of protagonist (male/female and

the values reader associates with this), how conflict is revealed, character

Section 1

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Within the opening pages of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain is able to reveal the main

themes of the novel- in particular the corruption of society, overarching nature of death and the

value of friendship.

- Discussion of the condemnation of religion which is used to show Hucks separation from

traditional values

- Contradiction of religion and slavery and how it highlights the corrupt values of society and

its hypocritical ways

o Miss Watsons punishment of Huck

o Example of Moses and the Red Sea

- Hucks dependency on others shows not only his own individual character but is a reflection

of the value of friendship which features strongly within the text

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Morrison also introduces her important thematic concerns within the first few pages of The Bluest

Eye, including as well the corrupt nature of society and extending this to the separation of cultures

within the society of the novel.

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Discussion of the differences in culture between white and African Americans and how this

sets up the motive and actions of many of the characters

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Condemnation of society and its effect on individuals- Other issues to discuss are the progression of children into young adulthood and the

difficulties in this transition. Also mention the dismantling of the expected and how this acts

as the basis of the novel

Section 2

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Twain also uses the introductory pages of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to establish Huck as

the key character of the novel as well as the narrator, and give some insight into his character.

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Discuss the qualities of Huck that are hinted at and how they are carried throughout all ofHucks journeys

o Desire for adventure

o Understanding of how to make the best of a situation

o Need for a role model

o Generous view of other people

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The Bluest Eyesopening pages are also used to introduce Claudia as the narrator of the novel as

well as Pecola as one of the main characters, and establish their roles within the novel as well as

wider society.

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Discussion of Claudia as narrator as both a child and retrospect

- Claudias overwhelming guilt over the situation gives insight into the events to come

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Discussion of Pecola and the disorder in her life that begins her downfall

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Placement of both the characters in society

o Pecola as nothing

o Both as of the lower class

Section 3

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The opening pages of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are also used to set up Huck as the child

narrator through the use of language which is extended throughout the novel.

- Simplistic language and use of vernacular

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Lack of understanding in adult world

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Conversational colloquial tone

- All of these are used throughout the entire novel to reflect Hucks age and outlook on the

world

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Morrison also presents the idea of childish incomprehension within her books opening, but focuses

more on the results of the novels events and its overarching conclusion

- Basic description of ending

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Suggestion of no conclusion being made

- Gives the reader a clear idea of what is to come and what to expect

Conclusion

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Both texts establish the nature and development of the remainder of the work to a large

extent by introducing the key themes, characters and structure or language.


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Similarities in main themes between the two texts

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Differ in that The Bluest Eye focuses more on the outcome of the novel rather than detail of

the narrator

Similarities

social/nurture elements, childhood/innocence, corruption of society, abuse, persecution,

environment

ESTABLISH: set up

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ANSWER: to a significant degree, both writers introduce their ideas in a vivid and engaging

way in the opening pages. However Huck does this in a clearer way

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opening pages of the bluest eye and huck finn

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