How Does Twain Present Huck As A Father Figure In Huckleberry Finn

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, the characters of Huck and Jim , undeniably grow a bond as the novel progresses.Huck never had a parent figure in his life because his mom was dead and his dad, Pap lacked the qualities of an exceptional father. Jim , a runaway slave who Huck travels with down the Mississippi river, is said to be Hucks true father. Jim provides Huck with protection ,knowledge, and care, which establishes a father and son bond between them.

Jim plays the role of a father to Huck because he provides him with protection. Jim is constantly concerned of Hucks safety. In chapter 9 when Huck and Jim encounter a dead body, Jim does everything he can to prevent Huck from realizing that it is Pap. Jim seeks Hucks well being so he told him, “doan’ look at his face-it’s too gashly.” Through this action Jim’s character can be seen as a father figure to Huck because he wishes to protect his feelings the way a dad would. Jim also provides Huck with the best protection he can because he is a black slave. Throughout the

It is through Jim that Huck learns about morals and how to distinguish right from wrong. When Huck plays the prank on Jim in chapter 15, Jim gets upset and scorns him. Jim is mad at Huck for his unthoughtful action and tells him “ All you wuz thinkin’ ‘bout wuz how you could make a fool uv ol Jim wid a lie.” Jims words teach Huck a lesson and makes him realize that people have feelings and that he should not play with them. Jim and Huck’s fatherly bond is what allows Huck’s morals to grow. Jims comment “You’s de only fren’ ole Jims got now,” stops Huck from turning him in. Although helping a runaway slave was viewed as bad in society it was virtually correct. Jim is the only one who educates Huck with world values and morals, unlike his previous mentors who would just worry about what society believed was