Lucas Venette Miss Glass English III Honors February 28, 2018 Jim: More Than a Slave Everyone wants a father figure, but the person who takes on the role of being a father is not always who is expected. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Jim, an African American slave, is a father figure to Huck, a young white boy. Jim acts as a father by protecting Huck from dangers and risks during their journey. Jim is also a father to Huck by teaching him lessons about right and wrong.
The novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, was written by Samuel Clemens, also known by his pen name Mark Twain. This novel is about a young boy named Huckleberry Finn who narrates his journey along the Mississippi River. Huck meets many characters along the way and his relationships with each individual character are very unique. However, the relationship he has with Jim, the runaway slave, is ever changing. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain embellishes the bond formed between Huck and Jim and how Huck views Jim as a slave, friend, and father-figure.
The Light of Friendship born on the Mississippi River Throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the relationship between Huck and Jim are the main topic of the whole book. They all had their own personality and characteristics. The relationship between Huck and Jim changes as the story goes on. In the very beginning, it was clear that Huck considers Jim as a slave, on the other hand, Huck did not regard Jim as a normal human like himself.
Individuals often say that the right way may not necessarily be the popular way, but standing up for the right thing, despite it being frowned upon, will be the true test of one’s moral character. This relates to the moral growth that Huck Finn experiences throughout his journey. Mark Twain’s controversial novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, can be said to be a compelling story about how one individual, Huck Finn, goes against society’s ideals. Huck’s moral development can be said to be based primarily on those around him, especially Jim. Many instances also influence Huck’s morals, particularly during the raft journey that will change his beliefs and morals. Although there are numerous instances where Huck’s moral growth can be seen, the individuals around such as Jim, will influence his moral growth greatly.
In the novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” the main character Huck Finn learns how to make better decisions. He realizes how his decisions will affect other people, specifically, his best friend Jim. Huck begins the novel with no direction or guidance, living with his drunk and abusive father. Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas struggle to try to teach Huck how to have good judgement and how to be a good person. Huck is also guided and taught by the runaway slave, and Huck’s best friend, Jim. Throughout the novel, Huck is challenged to look within himself and make good judgement that will affect himself and the people around him, and he gets better at doing this throughout the novel.In the beginning of the novel, there are many examples of Huck being immature and not thinking of anyone except for himself. For example, Huck’s best friend Tom Sawyer starts a gang called the “Tom Sawyer Gang.” The gang was planning on commiting crimes such as theft and murder. The members did not want Huck to be a part of the gang simply because he did not have a family for anyone to kill. When they tell Huck he would not be
Mark Twain emphasizes the theme that a person's morals are more powerful than the corrupt influence of society in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Based on how Huck Finn views the world and forms his opinions, he does not know the difference between right and wrong. In the novel, Huck escapes civilized society. He encounters a runaway slave, Jim, and together they travel hopes of freedom. But along the way, Huck and Jim come across troubles that have Huck questioning his motives. Throughout their journey, Huck is aware that Jim has escaped but does not know whether or not to turn him into the authorities. Huck’s mentality about society matures and he realizes his need to protect Jim from dangers. As the novel progresses, Huck begins to realize the flaws in society. Huck ultimately chooses to follow his own
This is the climax of the novel, in which many of the underlying themes are made clear. Huck’s morals overcome his fear for punishment, and he is determined to help Jim even if he has to go to hell for it. Furthermore, Jim is a runaway slave, and in the context of the story, helping a runaway slave, albeit one that was sold and has a new owner, would be almost traitorous to Huck’s community.
Everybody has someone in his or her life who teaches him or her how to be a better person. Throughout the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain uses Jim, a slave, as a source of symbolism for Huck’s maturity. First, Jim teaches Huck about what it truly means to be civilized. Next, Jim shows Huck about the value of family. Lastly, Jim teaches Huck about racial inequality and how to accept people. In Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Jim teaches Huck about civilization, family, and racial inequality.
Huck and Tom have been friends for a while as hinted at in the beginning by Mark Twain with the preceding novel, the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Tom idolizes the life of a robber and convinces his friends to play along in his games of stealing and murdering. As the novel plays on Tom reappears towards the end as the nephew of the Phelps family. Here we learn that Tom is still the same and doesn’t really care about the well-being of Jim nor Huck with his stupid
He wasn’t used to having a father figure in his life because his actual father was an alcoholic and was abusive. “Would always call me honey, and pet me, and do everything he could think of for me, and how good he always was,” (Document E). This shows that not only did Huck care about Jim, but Jim also cared about Huck’s well being, too. Having a father figure was very important to Huck because his actual father wasn’t really a father figure to him at all. Since someone actually cared about him and treated him with respect and care, it meant the world to him.
Not only do Jim and Huck get along during the time together, but when separated; they both fight to rescue or find each other to complete their journey they undertook together. “‘Come on, George. Tell me. Please George. Like you done
Huck never had a good example of a father, so he seemed to find one in Jim. Jim would always ensure Huck’s safety before his own, and would stand watch over him at night to make certain that Huck was out of danger. Jim also taught Huck valuable lessons while they were together, just like how a normal father would teach a son. Jim taught Huck how to be cautious of his surroundings through his superstitious ways, which helped Huck stay safe in different situations. Huck also saw in Jim what he did not see in his father, compassion.
“Caring - about people, about things, about life - is an act of maturity” -Tracy McMillan. This is a perfect quote to describe Huck. In these last few chapters of the book Huck forms a great bond with Jim. He looks to him as a father figure because he never looked to his real dad as someone he could trust. This ultimately cause him to learn to support himself.
This is a pivotal scene where Huck ultimately decides that there is no reason Jim shouldn 't be free. I think that he was far enough into the trip with Jim where their bond had grown to be that of either brothers or father and son. This allowed him to think independently with his own memories and emotions, not society 's. He also realizes that his bond with the Widow is insignificant when compared to the love and protection that Jim has provided to Huck. This renouncement appalled me because she provided Huck with a home and education when both of Huck 's parents were absent. Will Huck learn to love the Widow for her generosity after Jim is
Naturally, as his bond with Jim cultivates, Huck unknowingly treats him as a human. Through Huck’s sensibility, he states, “It didn’t take me long to make up my mind that these liars warn’t no kings nor dukes at all … I hadn’t no objections, ‘long as it would keep peace in the family; and it warn’t no use to tell Jim, so I didn’t tell him” (Twain 125). Correspondingly, Huck gains a consideration for Jim and his personal feelings, which he expresses nonchalantly through motley aspects of their journey.