Chapters 17 and 18 Summary
In the beginning of chapter 17 a man calls off the dogs that were attacking Huck. The man talks to Huck and invites him to stay in his house. Huck calls himself George and then accepts the invitation. Everyone in the house that he is staying in is worried that Huck is a Shepherdson. After they decide he is not a Shepherdson, Huck is introduced to a boy named Buck. Buck warns Huck that if he is a Shepherdson he will kill him. Huck stays at the house for awhile. Huck likes staying there and marvels at the knick-knacks and sentimental things they have around their house. In the next chapter, Huck talks more about the Grangerfords and how kind they are. Huck sees Buck shoot at a kid, who he learns at a kid who he learns is a Shepherdson. Buck tells Huck about the huge family feud between his family and the Grangersons. It has been going on for fourteen years and two people had been killed. On a different day one of he Grangerson's slaves brings Huck to see some water moccasins. While down by the swamp Huck finds Jim and finds out that Jim had been following him the entire time, but afraid to approach him because of the Grangersons. Due to the family feud, two of the Grangerson's children are killed. Huck is afraid, and he decides to leave the house and go back onto the river with Jim.
Reflections
I think it is odd that every time someone tries to help Huck and to take care of him, that they end up not helping him at all. Huck is a lone wolf and he needs to be set free. I think that the Grangerfords' feud is ridiculous. It reminds of a Romeo and Juliet situation when Sophia and Harney try to run away together. I don't understand why the Grangerfords can't just get along and stop arguing. It is ridiculous to hate your neighbors so mush that you want to shoot each other. Huck as always was very clever in this chapter. His ability to lie is uncanny and I'm starting to think he could fool almost anyone.