Dear Valiant One,
Wow, your questions
are definitely brain-stumpers but it all depends on perspective. When reading
your letter I researched the actual time period, which doesn’t quite surprise
me. I feel like you are doing a risky thing by having an African American along
with you on your escapade; however, it’s such a great deed only a ‘valiant one’
could fulfill. In my opinion, because I am an African American, I feel like
life should not have been as unfair as it was. Your loyalty to your pal Jim, in
my perspective, is quite admirable in my eyes. Honestly, many Caucasians from
that era were not as valiant as you were. It seems to me that your conscience
has continuously played tricks on you according to page 130 where you said: “I
was a goner, for whenever anybody was after anybody, I judged it was me-or
maybe my pal.” However, I don’t necessarily feel that you’re wrong for what you’re
doing. Yes, it is a risky factor. In those days according to the Fugitive Slave
Act, being caught with a runaway slave would lead to death for the Caucasian individual.
On the other hand, I guess you’re just a complete paradox of the unknown, for
the simple fact that at the end of the day, you quote: “Other places do seem so
cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and
comfortable on a raft” (page 126). I feel here that you are basically telling
society that despite your uneasiness, loyalty is more valuable to you in terms
of your freedom; yet, in the same sense, you portray society in such a way that
leads you to the raft. Basically, your adventures in my opinion are known as
your home. “There warn’t no home like a raft, after all” (page 126). If you
were to be honest with yourself, you’d find that Jims significance to you is
home; better yet, the fellowship of communion which you shared on the raft.
On the other hand, as far as your
affiliation with the con-artists, I would have to say that’s a decision
entirely left in your hands. I, myself, wouldn’t dare to be involved with their
kind, especially after I witnessed the article: “Watch Out… They’re Cunning!!!”
Then again, I know even though they maybe con artists you can’t truly judge them
by their exterior. Deep, deep, down inside they have good intentions in some aspect.
For example, like when Duke made a bill so that you all could run in the
day-time instead of the night. Besides, you did say: “for the next day or two we
had considerable trouble, because people was always coming out in skiffs and
trying to take Jim away from me, saying they believed he was a runaway Negro.
We don’t run day-times no more, now; nights they don’t bother us” (pages
135-136). With that being said, I guess there is good in those varlets vaguely
behind their scams. At the end of the day, you have to make a finalized
decision on what you should do. If there’s one thing I remember growing up, “never
forget where you come from.” In other words, just because the prices are high
Valiant One, don’t forget what these people have done for you, because they
helped you in some way or form. Therefore, to answer your question, if you
consider the ethics of this situation, then yes, you’re wrong; but, if you hold on to your
character, the same character Tom Sawyer would have approved of, then in my
eyes, you’re justified right my friend.
~Breah
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