CDW 1:
Twain uses Kantian ethics to justify Huck’s actions when he runs away and aids the runaway slave, Jim. When Twain says, “But mind, you said you wouldn' tell—you know you said you wouldn' tell, Huck." "Well, I did. I said I wouldn't, and I'll stick to it. Honest INJUN, I will. People would call me a low-down Abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum—but that don't make no difference. I ain't a-goin to tell, and I ain't a-going back there, anyways. So, now, le's know all about it." (42) He creates the external conflict of Huck vs society, setting Huck apart as Twain refers to him as a “low-down Abolitionist.” Through Kantian ethics, portraying Huck as a “low-down Abolitionist” could resemble Huck’s pursuit to Kant's “highest good” as someone who sees blacks and whites equally. From reading this quote, readers can infer that Huck understands the consequences of his actions, but still wants to “know all about it” throughout Huck and Jim’s adventure.
CDW 2:
Twain uses Kant’s “comparative concept of freedom” to exemplify Huck's actions when he attempts to rescue Jim from Silas Phelps farm. This “freedom” Twain relates to is Kant’s definition of personal freedom. When Twain says, “ And then think of ME! It would get all around that Huck Finn helped a nigger to get his freedom; and if I was ever to see anybody from that town again I'd be ready to get down and lick his boots for shame. That's just the way: a person does a low-down thing, and then he don't want to take no consequences of it.“ (193) He displays Huck’s actions not as a societal freedom but exploits personal freedom Huck exemplifies when he wants to free Jim. Huck states that he will “lick his boots for shame” he realizes the consequences that the people will making fun of him for getting Jim his freedom, but doesn't care since it is all for good measure. This relates to freedom’s definition being broad, that there are many freedoms than what society gives us; Huck's “helping a nigger to get his freedom” symbolizes personal freedom as his actions acted on solely on himself. This act of personal freedom creates a change of local color that causes Huck to see JIm as more than just property but as a human being.
CDW 2:
Twain uses Kant’s “comparative concept of freedom” to exemplify Huck's actions when he attempts to rescue Jim from Silas Phelps farm. This “freedom” Twain relates to is Kant’s definition of personal freedom. When Twain says, “ And then think of ME! It would get all around that Huck Finn helped a nigger to get his freedom; and if I was ever to see anybody from that town again I'd be ready to get down and lick his boots for shame. That's just the way: a person does a low-down thing, and then he don't want to take no consequences of it.“ (193) He displays Huck’s actions not as a societal freedom but exploits personal freedom Huck exemplifies when he wants to free Jim. Huck states that he will “lick his boots for shame” he realizes the consequences that the people will making fun of him for getting Jim his freedom, but doesn't care since it is all for good measure. This relates to freedom’s definition being broad, that there are many freedoms than what society gives us; Huck's “helping a nigger to get his freedom” symbolizes personal freedom as his actions acted on solely on himself. This act of personal freedom creates a change of local color that causes Huck to see JIm as more than just property but as a human being.
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