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Huck Finn Character Analysis

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Jim can be defined as a round character because he does change as the story progresses. Furthermore, something that slightly changes is the society’s perception of him. He goes from being the target of a joke to being perceived as a noble man by the society around him. (Schonhorn, 1968). This is noticeable in the final chapter of the novel when the doctor who came to treat the wounded Tom declares “I never see a nigger that was…faithfuller”. (Twain, 288). Huck, who has been frequently with him and has had the chance to know him better shares the same belief. Jim is a true family man. Even though we do not get to see him together with his family, suffices it to say that the main reason of him being an escapee is that he was afraid of being …show more content…

Therefore, considering his social rank, Jim is cautious around everybody, including Huck. He does not accept him immediately before reassuring that he can find the helping hand he needs and after Huck’s endeavors he concludes that Huck is the only "white genlman dat ever kep' his promise to ole Jim". (Twain, 92). This might be one of the reasons of why he behaves as a father to him in a form of reward for sticking by his side. (Shrum, …show more content…

After all, in addition to thinking about himself he had to think about his family as well and rebelling would not be convenient to attain his ends. (Chadwick- Joshua, 1998). He has no authority whatsoever and he is well aware of it. Even if he is not aware, the people around him make sure to remind him. Another thing that he is well aware of is that he is less superior than whites. This is evident in the episode when Tom and Huck let him know the escape plan and even though it does not make sense to him “he allowed [they were] white folks and knowed better than him.” (Twain, 250) His compassionate nature is apparent when he prevents Huck from seeing his father’s dead body. Similarly, he demonstrates his loyalty and selflessness toward his friend, Tom. Although he struggled throughout the novel to gain his freedom he is more than willing to give that up just so that he can provide assistance to a doctor to give Tom the necessary treatment after he has been wounded. As Matthew points out, Jim represents “the essential simplicity and kindliness and generosity of the Southern negro”. (as cited by Robinson, 1988, p.361 in The Characterization of Jim in Huckleberry

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In the book "The Adventures if Huckleberry Finn", Mark Twain's writing mirrors the society and problems it had in that time. This book promotes seeing African-Americans as people, which is absolutely groundbreaking and unheard-of in the time it was written, right after the Civil War. Throughout the book,, Huck has a complete change in his feelings towards Jim, starting with his highly influenced young mind, only able to view Jim as a slave, all the way to seeing Jim as a father-figure who can protect and provide for him. Although Huck tries to see Jim as a friend and fatherly-figure, society's beliefs don't allow him to see Jim as anything but a slave.

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1159 Words | 5 Pages

Jim as a Christ Figure Mark Twain makes it clear in the novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that niggers in the 1800’s were treated differently and much less than anyone else. To think of Jim a black slave as a person and not property back then was huge thing but to think that he is a Christ like figure is beyond anything. As the textual evidence below shows the proof that jim was seen as a christ figure in this novel. It will show how and why Jim is a Christ figure.

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726 Words | 3 Pages

He would not ever get the treatment Huck did, and Jim’s character was never allowed to grow. Smiley catches the audience’s attention as she recognizes the racist remarks that Twain uses through his character, Huck, and how he forms Jim’s character. Smiley says that, through the book, Twain creates Jim “more and more passive and never minds, just like any good sidekick” (Smiley 460). As Huck and Jim never cross the Mississippi to Illinois, a free state, Jim just stands in Huck’s shadows as he is along for the journey, never getting his own voice in the book to stand up for himself and his freedom.

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935 Words | 4 Pages

Huck has always seen Jim as a slave until they crossed paths while going down the river. The two develop a friendship and Huck starts to care about Jim and his well being. Although Huck views Jim as someone he cares about, he still sees him as a slave as well. “ I would do the right thing and the clean thing, and go and write that nigger’s owner and tell where he was,” ( Document E). Huck is in a continuous battle with his inner self when it comes to his views on Jim.

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1565 Words | 7 Pages

Jim’s Minstrel Mask Slaves in the 1800s were seen as dim, ignorant people, underestimated by the white culture. In Huck’s story, the reader can see a different side of slaves. A side that has not been shown in history textbooks, or taught frequently by teachers of the sort. Jim in the novel demonstrates the cleverness, the quick-wittedness, and the overall intelligence of an individual in the face of extreme adversity.

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574 Words | 3 Pages

His journey to freedom consists of meeting new people, discovering other communities, and gaining an inseparable bond with Huckleberry Finn. While he is developing as a character, Jim’s portrayal differs throughout the novel. He also gains a “new son”, Huck, and is

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1254 Words | 6 Pages

Huck does not see Jim as a slave anymore he sees Jim as a friend and he treats him like a friend. Huck would of never done this at the begning of his journey or when he found out Jim is a runaway. He evolved his morality, Twain finished the book after the civil war he did not believe in slavery it

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1124 Words | 5 Pages

Jim displays many father like characteristics towards Huck while on the river. Jim has a strong desire to keep Huck safe. During their trip Huck is approached by men who are searching for runaway slaves, and this makes him contemplate whether he should turn Jim in. Yet, Huck feels extremely guilty for even being curious on the topic and says, “S’pose you’d a done right and give Jim up; would you feel better than what you do now? No says I, I’d feel bad” (Twain 69).

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1253 Words | 6 Pages

In this very moment, Jim (a “nigger”) becomes a better father figure for Huck than his real father, who was a white man. Jim is better than almost any other person within the story, and he is a black man. However, Twain did use racial stereotypes in the story quite a bit (Chadwick). For example when he and Huck are

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650 Words | 3 Pages

In addition, he was always happy to be with him, unlike his actual father. “I was ever so glad to see Jim,” (Document B). This shows that even though Jim thought Huck was dead, Huck still came back to see him because he cares about him so much. Jim was seen as a slave, a friend, and a father figure throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Huck. He was a very important part of Huck’s life and helped him mature mentally and physically.

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733 Words | 3 Pages

Throughout the journey Jim steers Huck away from danger, or anything that will protect Huck, since Huck is also protecting Jim from being caught. For example, when they are on Jackson’s Island, Jim notices the change in mood of the birds predicting it will rain. Soon enough, a great storm appears, but suddenly, during the course of the storm a body washes downstream. Jim acts quickly and shields Huck from viewing the body. Jim states: “It’s a dead man.

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1597 Words | 7 Pages

Huck is looking for a father, and Jim is looking to join a family. The two complement each other well (4). Helping an escaped slave is a criminal offense during this period of time. It could be argued that Huck is not fully aware of the consequences of his actions, but as the reader sees time and time again, Huck is a very wise, very practical, very street-smart boy.

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726 Words | 3 Pages

Subsequent to Tom getting shot after the escape, the doctor who assisted him needed help and Tom’s life was in jeopardy. Jim came out from the woods, “resking his freedom to do it” (Twain 215), in order to come to the aid of Tom. By presenting himself he risked his life because of his status as a runaway slave. Jim represents sacrifice with his concern for others. He sacrifices his relationship with Huck when hiding the fact that his father had died.

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1141 Words | 5 Pages

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. Jim, a runaway slave, is the most influential individual when it comes to Huck’s moral development. During the beginning of the novel, Huck’s morals are primarily based on what he has learned from Miss Watson. Huck begins to become wary of such ideals that Miss Watson has imposed on him, and decided all he wanted “…was a change” (Twain 10).

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1202 Words | 5 Pages

As a result Huck sees Jim as an equal and a friend. Jim also played a role in the maturing of Huck because, “Clearly Jim’s androgynous roles enables Huck to shape a viable system of ethics and expand his capacity for sympathy, tenderness, and basic goodness” (Wasserstein). As a result of Huck’s perception of Jim changing as Huck matures, the relationship between the two becomes stronger due to Huck realizing Jim is a friend and someone he cares

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