The End of The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail

     So, I had time on Wednesday to read the end and then reread it because I had almost no homework. (That was because it was waiting in ambush for Thursday...well not really) Anyway, I read the book over again and looked for 'huckleberrying' and wrote it down for myself.
      I am still particularly amazed by this book. Henry has such an interesting spin on everything. But the ending made the play seem more serious. He has that once scene with Edward where they're picking huckleberries, but other than that I felt like there was a complete lack of cheerfulness in the end. Lydian says he should get married, Waldo fights with him and everyone else gets mad when he rings the bell but Waldo doesn't come. Then there's that dream with the war, where they pretty much kill Edward. It didn't leave me feeling very happy. I did like Williams a lot, though. I felt like I could see him popping out of nowhere. (Cañada) When I went back and reread it, it didn't seem as funny as it did the first time. He said all the same things, but it all felt much more serious than it had before. It was like someone had just taken all the "Funny" and drained it out. Henry still had his sense of humor, but it was almost like at the same time he didn't actually think what he was doing was funny. I felt more like what he was saying came from some strong emotion that had gathered up inside him and sounded sort of ridiculous when he said it rather than something that, although is perfectly serious (in Henry's case) seems to have more purpose as a joke.
     What I liked about Henry were his peaceful views, even though he wasn't always peaceful himself. It wasn't just he refused to pay taxes for the war, that he was sent to jail because he 'did not murder'. He also questions what good it is to 'flog' students, and resigns soon after he is forced to do so. He acts, in more ways for something he truly cares about. He also genuinely cares for nature. He admires the bird's ability to fly and sing and live off of flowers while sitting in his cell with Bailey. He says to Ellen "Did you know that trees cry out in pain when they're cut?" He also tells her that people are poisoning paradise. He believed that no matter who has bought land, the animals that live there still own it. (Woodchucks)
     I think that's why I didn't like Ellen. Thoreau had such ahead-of-everyone ideas that when Ellen disagreed, she seemed unintelligent. When they talk about the railroad, she says it's much smoother and faster, but seems only confused when he points out that it's uglier and dirtier. He sees these terrible things in the future, but she seems only to deny it. She also believes her father too much. You can still love someone and not believe everything that they say! My dad says this. My dad says that. Guess what? Your dad isn't the only person in the world who you can base your opinions on! How could she be so willing to learn (going to school) but at the same time be completely narrow-minded about what she was learning?

I forgot to mention last time that one of my favorite things he says is about how books should have legs. (That would be pretty cool)