“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and Slavery “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain features many different themes, but the main theme is slavery. The book gives an excellent image on what slavery was like in that time period. The main character, Huck Finn, has conflicting views on slavery based on how he was raised and his growing relationship with an escaped slave. At the beginning of the book, Huck doesn’t really think much about slavery. Since Huck was often abused by his father, he didn’t think much about the treatment slaves received. He doesn’t consider slaves as people, but instead as property, based on what society has taught him to believe. For example, at one point, Huck debates on …show more content…
Huck’s conscience tells him, “What had poor Miss Watson done to you that you could see her nigger go right off under your eyes and not say a single word?” (Twain 61). Along with that, he considers Jim as having lesser intelligence. One example of this would be when they were separated by the fog, Huck tricked Jim to believe that he dreamed the whole thing, and ¬¬that they were never apart. Jim is so hurt, he says, “...All you wuz thinkin’ ‘bout wuz how you could make a fool uv ole Jim wid a lie. Dat truck dah is trash; en trash is what people is dat puts dirt on de head er dey fren’s en make ‘em ashamed.” (Twain 60). Huck’s attitude towards Jim changes as the story progresses. Their misadventures together helps Huck realize that Jim is more than property. He apologizes to Jim for hurting him as he realizes that Jim has feelings too. As they go down the river, they share stories about each other’s lives. Jim talks about how he was going to get sold by Miss Watson to be a slave in New Orleans, and how he would have to leave his family.