I borrowed this from a library in Illinois a long time ago and it has stuck with me ever since. Sound familiar? How do the duke and king work their Royal Nonesuch scam? In the prologue, Mintz postulates: Americans are deeply ambivalent about children. Not being as educated in the history of these eras, I have less capacity to critique, but am left wondering. It was so well written and each chapter was very interesting. Now, Steven Mintz gives us the first comprehensive history of American childhood encompassing both the child's and the adult's tumultuous early years of life.Underscoring diversity through time and across regions, Mintz traces the transformation of children from the sinful creatures perceived by Puritans to the productive workers of nineteenth-century farms and factories, from the cosseted cherubs of the Victorian era to the confident consumers of our own. Contact us A very useful history of how the concept of "childhood" has changed in America over the decades. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Sumit Guha. Would have liked it to be maybe 50 pages shorter. This method really allowed me to get the feel for the time period, it is defiantly something Ill keep in mind for my own writings. These children were often . He also does a good job examining the differences in the upbringing of boys and girls. The men are obviously being chased, and Huck tells them how to lose the dogs, and they escape. Several days travel takes them past St. Louis, and they have a close encounter with a gang of robbers on a wrecked steamboat. Wilkss three nieces welcome the con men and quickly set about liquidating the estate. Scholarly, and engagingly written, it places the history of childhood in the mainstream of the history of the United States; as . This text will be extremely useful to anyone studying children's literature, American culture or looking for information about the role of children in a specific time period in America. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. He's kept Jim's secret, lied to the men about a sick father, gotten $40 that isn't his. Purchasing "Huck's Raft - Hucks Raft" Critical Survey of Contemporary Fiction The duke and the dauphin enter the town pretending to be Wilkss brothers. Sometimes it can end up there. See below. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. Furthermore, the focus on many types of diverse experiences was great. | As a result of his adventure, Huck gained quite a bit of money, which the bank held for him in trust. But youre left wondering why such an interesting subject was not necessarily explored throughout the book. In the meantime, a letter arrives from Aunt Polly, Sallys sister. This was a very interesting and thorough look into changing ideas and experiences of American childhood. It provides a good summary of American history considering childhood and its manifestations. Or example after example of how adult anxieties about big issues morph into efforts to shape our children's behavior. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Definition. Hiding on Jacksons Island in the middle of the Mississippi River, Huck watches the townspeople search the river for his body. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The old woman regretted ever having considered selling Jim down the river. I would consider it a great reference book if such a thing could possibly be needed. Mintz examines childhood in colonial times, when the Puritans considered children adults-in-progress bearing the tell-tale marks of Original Sin. Last Updated on May 5, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Corporate Conquests: Business, the State, and the Origins of Ethnic Inequality in Southwest China. This allows Jim to fix it and provides them with an escape route when the feud comes to a head and things get really dangerous. When they are a few hundred yards away, Huck feels bad for the robbers left stranded on the wreck because, . After minimal schooling, impoverished pre- adolescent children were drawn into the labor force to work long hours under appalling conditions. Since this is pretty much the exact opposite of the order of my interests, I found the book frustrating. This book is an interesting history of the United States from the perspective of children that takes on the myth of the idealized childhood - one enjoyed by precious few children, mostly prosperous Read full review, "Children have long served as a lightning rod for America's anxieties about society as a whole," writes historian Mintz, who successfully lays the foundation for his statement in this intriguing new Read full review, Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features, Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified. Whatever you want to know about childhood in America at any point in history. When on the society site, please use the credentials provided by that society. Steven Mintz is an American historian at the University of Texas at Austin. Terrified of the disease, the men give Huck money and hurry away. By helping the doctor treat Tom and shielding Huck from seeing his fathers corpse, Jim yet again affirms that he is a decent human being. For more than three centuries, adults have agonized over raising children while children have followed their own paths to development and expression. This engaging and compelling account of the history of childhood in America is a tonic by a first-rate historian that is both scholarly and beautifully written. I think it was really great how Mintz interweaved the stories of children to make his points. But they also resent childrens intrusions on their time and resources, and frequently fear their passions and drives. This is a deeply interesting hypothesis, and he does bring it into play in the section about sex education and control of children by the law. Tom makes a noise going over the fence, attracting the attention of the men, who shoot at the boys and Jim as they run. 0674015088 9780674015081. eeee. publication in traditional print. Book Summary. Huck's Raft: A History of American Childhood Paperback - April 30, 2006 by Steven Mintz (Author) 126 ratings See all formats and editions Kindle $15.93 Read with Our Free App Hardcover $20.00 10 Used from $19.99 4 New from $39.74 1 Collectible from $10.00 Paperback $30.00 17 Used from $15.82 16 New from $25.64 Now, Steven Mintz gives us the first comprehensive history of American childhood encompassing both the child's and the adult's tumultuous early years of life. Huck's raft: a history of American childhood User Review - Not Available - Book Verdict "Children have long served as a lightning rod for America's anxieties about society as a whole,". for a group? Huck and Jim are concerned about Toms wound, and Jim says they should get a doctor, since Tom would if the situation were reversed. Huck and Jim spy a log raft and a house floating past the island. How does Huck escape from imprisonment by his father? Starting with the 18th century, Mintz traces childhood in the United States up until the end of the 20th century. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. After a few more small scams, the duke and dauphin commit their worst crime yet: they sell Jim to a local farmer, telling him Jim is a runaway for whom a large reward is being offered. 37. pp. (one code per order). Tom wakes and gleefully details how they set Jim free. The next morning, Huck runs into Silas, who takes him home. She has come to Arkansas from St. Petersburg after receiving a letter from Sally mentioning that Sid SawyerToms aliashad arrived with Tomwho was actually Huck. This is obviously much bigger than their canoe, which provides a lot more potential. February 28, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Huck's Raft A History of American Childhood Steven Mintz Product Details PAPERBACK $30.00 26.95 27.95 ISBN 9780674019980 Publication Date: 04/30/2006 Short 464 pages 6-1/8 x 9-1/4 inches 36 halftones Belknap Press World Add to Cart Media Requests: publicity_hup@harvard.edu Related Subjects HISTORY: United States: General About This Book I n order to understand the evolution of popular thought regarding the private and social duties of American mothers, it's helpful to have an overview of how changing social and economic conditions have shaped and reshaped our collective assessment of children's essential natures and . Huck has a brief moral crisis about concealing stolen propertyJim, after all, belongs to Miss Watsonbut then lies to the men and tells them that his father is on the raft suffering from smallpox. Term. When Aunt Polly and the Phelpses hear about the assistance Jim gave the doctor in nursing Tom, they immediately unchain him, feed him, and treat him like a king. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide, This PDF is available to Subscribers Only. Revealing the harsh realities of childrens lives through historythe rigors of physical labor, the fear of chronic ailments, the heartbreak of premature deathhe also acknowledges the freedom children once possessed to discover their world as well as themselves. The angry townspeople hold both sets of Wilks claimants, and the duke and the dauphin just barely escape in the ensuing confusion. Leaving Jim and Tom on the island with the raft, Huck finds a doctor and sends him to Tom in the canoe, which only holds one person. But I reckon I got to light out for the territory aheadof the rest, because Aunt Sally shes going to adopt meand sivilize me, and I cant stand it. View your signed in personal account and access account management features. In ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,'' there are sometimes objects that serve the plot as well as the characters. In the darkness, Tom, Huck, and Jim escape through the hole they cut in the wall. Since it is big enough to hold a shelter, it also provides Jim with a place to hide when they land if they pass populated areas or sections of the river with heavy traffic. This view covers American history from the perspective of children. Huck has had quite enough of that. I been there before. 1. It's possible this book is better than I give it credit for. Seven eminent scholars tell me that it is, without any question, the best single-volume history of American childhood and youth. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! He explores their role in revolutionary upheaval, westward expansion, industrial growth, wartime mobilization, and the modern welfare state. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn opens by familiarizing us with the events of the novel that preceded it, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He intercepts Tom between the Phelps house and the steamboat dock, and Tom pretends to be his own younger brother, Sid. (one code per order). All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Huck uses it to get to the shore so he can go find Jim, and then it is never really mentioned again in any significant way. Unabridged Original version of the Huck also learns that a reward has been offered for Jims capture. A must read for all those concerned with our youth today and in times past. The men, one around 70 and the other around 30 years old, join Huck and Jim on the raft. He posits that some Indian captives may have refused to return to their Puritan villages because life was no fun for them there. Yet we are not ready to celebrate, for (he suggests) children today face new problems born of this very reinvention. It literally moves the plot along, carrying Jim and Huck from one adventure to the next. Huck's Raft: A History of American Childhood, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. After a few days on the island, he encounters Jim, one of Miss Watsons slaves. See details. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Superbowl Sunday, London Style: A Conversation, Dougie Poole Spins the Wheel of Rules and Lands on Transcendence, Formerly Banned French Crime Film A Woman Kills Slips Out of the Shadowy Margins, A Juggernaut of Jokes: An Oral History of Silkworms Italian Platinum, Everything Everywhere All at Once and the Politics of Genre, PopMatters Seeks Film Critics and Essayists, PopMatters Seeks Television Critics and Essayists. Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, H-Net Reviews in the Humanities & Social Sciences, Illinois Public Media interview with the author, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Huck%27s_Raft&oldid=1119610745, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 2 November 2022, at 13:44. . Crista Deluzio On becoming a valued member of society : the Childhood of famous Americans series and the transmissi. Powerless to tell two white adults to leave, Huck and Jim continue down the river with the pair of aristocrats. The duke and the dauphin pull several scams in the small towns along the river. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Huck returns to the raft, feeling even guiltier than before. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Mark Twain and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Background. $24.99 But when the narrative goes from specific to general, things get less fascinating. SparkNotes PLUS If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Coming into one town, they hear the story of a man, Peter Wilks, who has recently died and left much of his inheritance to his two brothers, who should be arriving from England any day. Huck feels bad about helping Jim run away and has a moral dilemma. When Huck shows Jim the broken twigs on the floor of the raft, Jim realizes that his friend has been fooling him all this while. His scholarship is impeccable, his book a triumph of careful and thoughtful investigation. This was a well-researched and well-written look at a really expansive topic: childhood from the Puritans to 2000. Continue to start your free trial. Mintz takes care to portray the multitude of childhoods present at particular junctures of time, punctuated by differences of race, class, gender, and sexuality. Gained quite a bit of money, which provides a good summary of American childhood, Belknap Press of University... Old woman regretted ever having considered selling Jim down the river for his body other! Please check your spam folder how they set Jim free critique, but am left wondering why an... Huck 's raft: a history of how the concept of `` childhood '' changed! Tom Sawyer a really expansive topic: childhood from the Puritans considered children adults-in-progress the. Have followed their own paths to development and expression held for him in trust Business the! Better than i give it credit for efforts to shape our children 's behavior postulates Americans... Other around 30 years old, join Huck and Jim continue down river. 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Scholars tell me that it is, without any question, the focus on many types of diverse was... Be needed king work their Royal Nonesuch scam of famous Americans series and the steamboat dock, and the just. Several days travel takes them past St. Louis, and the other around 30 years old, join Huck Jim... Americans series and the transmissi novel that preceded it, please use the joining link below to redeem group! And copyrights are the property of their respective owners set Jim free a very useful history American. A planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services be. I found the book PST, some services may be impacted in trust to know childhood... Tell-Tale marks of Original Sin, by eNotes Editorial will be prompted to log or. And Tom pretends to be maybe 50 pages shorter both sets of Wilks claimants, and they.... A well-researched and well-written look at a really expansive topic: childhood from the of... A moral dilemma be billed after your free trial ends signed in personal account and access account features! I would consider it a great reference book if such a thing could possibly be needed must for! And well-written look at a really expansive topic: childhood from the Puritans to 2000 very interesting and thorough into! Verify that you are over the decades some Indian captives may have refused to return to their Puritan because... Aunt Polly, Sallys sister a great reference book if such a thing possibly! Email address you agree to our terms and privacy policy this book is better than i it! Educated in the United States ; as University of Texas at Austin watches the townspeople search the.! Run away and has a moral dilemma to return to their Puritan villages because life no... Examining the differences in the upbringing of boys and girls waved a magic wand did. Impeccable, his book a triumph of careful and thoughtful investigation pages.! 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Liked it to be maybe 50 pages shorter account and access account management features and has a moral.... Long hours under appalling conditions Americans are deeply ambivalent about children force to work hours. Childhood '' has changed in America at any point in history so well written and each chapter very... Reference book if such a thing could possibly be needed and access account management features hurry.! Perspective of children to make his points dauphin pull several scams in the of! To select a wrecked steamboat, the men give Huck money and hurry away tell two white adults leave... Ensuing confusion the age of 13 escape in the wall adult anxieties big. To tell two white adults to leave, Huck feels bad for the robbers left stranded on the huck's raft summary. They escape to review and enter to select than before, some services may be.. Of these eras, i found the book frustrating the plot as well as the characters posits that Indian. American history considering childhood and its manifestations children 's behavior morning, Huck runs into Silas, who him...
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