Mark Twain was a literary genius.
That is why every year millions of high school students around the country are assigned his stories and books to read. Books like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn stand the test of time because they have timeless lessons and principles to teach us, year after year.
I have long believed that the secret to great people and great businesses can be found in great literature. (I also believe some of our greatest stories can be found on film, but that’s a subject for another post.)
The Internet could use a good hefty dose of literature.
I know, I know, call me a snob, but seriously. In my search for quality, I find a lot of junk.
Stuff that only adds to the clutter and to the noise of a crowded, crowded place that is infinite in scope and, in many ways, infinite in nonsense.
But back to Huck Finn.
In 1883 Mark Twain published the sequel to his wildly popular The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. And, like so many storytelling geniuses, he carried characters from one book to the next. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was Twain’s sequel to his first blockbuster. Readers gobbled up the crazy tales of these mischievous boys who seemed to constantly outwit and outsmart everyone around them (both would have done exceptionally well on “Survivor”).
So what makes Huck Finn so compelling in 2010 and why should we listen to him?
Several reasons, but primarily because Huck Finn above all else was a doer.
He took action.
He got results.
And in the business world, results are the only measurement of success or failure.
You see, no amount of wishing and hoping for things to happen ever makes things happen. Huck Finn discovers this early on in the story after listening to one of the trusted adults in his life who said all he needed to get what he wanted was to pray for it. He tries it, and tries it “hard.” But when what he prays for doesn’t materialize, he goes back to what he knows works — doing something to make it happen.
Now I am not knocking prayer. I believe wholeheartedly in practicing a spiritual life in whatever capacity makes sense to each person. I believe prayer can lead to amazing, amazing things.
But I see a danger in some motivational materials that encourage wishing above doing.
The key to true success is, establish the dream, but then get out there and go for it.
Do something.
Like Huck Finn did.
Twain lived and wrote during a time of major cultural and economic transition, in many ways like the one we are living in now. Through his stories, he showcased some of the glories of that shift and many of the follies. His character Huck Finn was the voice of reason. Of getting things done. Of questioning what was put before him as only a child can do.
As each of us gets deeper into our own adventure here online and in business, we could stand to listen to Huck Finn and pay attention to what is put before us rather than blindly accepting everything that comes our way.
Being deliberately selective and questioning the value of courses, materials, and the like will not only keep our minds sharp, but also keep us focused on what really matters to us as we move our goals forward.
It can be a convoluted world here online, full of meaningless distractions and empty promises.
But with a clear focus and plan of action, it is also a place where more dreams than we know what to do with can come true.
Hi Mary Lou,
Beautifully written!! And so to the point. There are so many programs, courses and seminars out there that one can get overwhelmed just trying to read the promo for all of them.
I pick one thing, find a way to learn about it, then do it and learn more about it and do it some more until I have it; only then do I move on to another topic to learn.
Thanks for a great article,
Alan
Mary you remind me of my first crush on a woman. She was my English Teacher. She also had your gift of writing that I so enjoy. You do more with less,(words),that makes reading your post so enjoyable. And to parallel the comment on Prayer, my favorite Book says “but prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”
Thank you so much, Alan! I really appreciate that you appreciate this post. One of the most important lessons anyone new to the online world must learn is what you describe: focus on one thing at a time. Otherwise, it all becomes too much and then NOTHING gets done, which Huck Finn would not have tolerated. 🙂
Thankfully this is a virtual exchange of thoughts, Nelson, because otherwise you would see me blushing! 🙂 Your comments are so kind and it makes me happy that you appreciate my writing. I am not your typical blogger in this online world, nor do I want to be. I like finding parallels between things that seem to have nothing in common but when examined at a deeper level, reveal truths about ourselves we never would have seen. I love that quote, too, by the way: “but prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” Amen to that!
Mary Lou,
I would have never thought of Huck Finn as a role model in this way, yet it makes so much sense! He did not follow the norm just because that’s the way it has always been done. He stepped into life saying Why Not! He did become a doer and a shaker.
Great post!
Val 😉
http://www.valwilcox.com/stepping-life/ – Stepping Into Your Life
I have always loved literature and believe stories are merely mirrors to our human potential, frailty, and dreams. Huck is one of my favorites because he got things done, even in the face of the most absurd circumstances. We all could stand to learn from that little rascal! 🙂
Aloha Mary Lou,
I love that story of Huck Finn and why we should listen to him. Thank you for bringing that story back to life for me. Life truly is about the stories isn’t it? We can all see ourselves in others and if they can do it, so can we.
Thank you for the new perspective on Huck Finn! Love it!
Aloha,
Kellie 🙂
Hi Kellie, Thank you for appreciating Huck and his story. 🙂 Literature is such a beautiful landscape we can survey whenever we choose. The characters we meet there are often familiar and inspiring, just like Huck. Read on!