DAY 4 - CYCLE 15 - SEMESTER 2

Today, we had a quick activity, and then spoke about the end of the novel. In addition to the discussion questions offered to you at the beginning of the class, you offered some fine questions of your own:

• Why doesn't Huck want to go back with civilization?
• Is there any hope of civilization changing? What would be required for it to do so?
• Is this a happy ending?
• How are we supposed to feel/what are we supposed to think at the end of the novel?
• Does Tom have any respect for Huck?

Notes for today's discussion may be found here.

HOMEWORK

Develop 3 claims for the thesis statement you chose. Remember, a claim must further the argument stated in the thesis, so each claim must be arguable (explain how or why).

For example: If the thesis is:

• Huck & Jim's and George & Lennie's relationships may be (1) rooted in compassion, but in the end, these relationships are unhealthy because (2) they expose the weaker partner to greater risk and (3) indignity.

The claims might be:

1. Huck and George's compassion for their friends motivates them to actively try to help their friends find safety.
2. But their attempts to help their friends actually puts those friends at physical risk by allowing them to be hunted by others.
3. When Jim and Lennie become no more than prey in the eyes of the community, they have lost the very human dignity George and Huck meant to protect.