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.
At the beginning of the novel, Huck’s attitude towards Jim was considered racist. To him, Jim was less than a man and just property, nothing else. “Well, then, what makes
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It is clear that Jim is more like a father-figure to Huck when they come across a dead body in the house, which later on is revealed to be Huck's father. After seeing it, Jim says to Huck “Come in, Huck, but doan’ look at his face, it’s too gashly” (Twain). Right away Jim knew the dead man was really Huck’s father, but Jim was trying to protect Huck by never letting him see the face. It is also clear that Jim cares about Huck like one of his own children when he protects him from the rain. Jim finds a dry cave to use as shelter to keep Huck and himself safe. “Jim, this is nice, I says. I wouldn’t want to be nowhere else but here” (Twain). This implies that Huck feels safe and feels at home when he is with Jim. Throughout the novel, it becomes apparent that Jim is not only a slave, but he is more like a father to Huck than Pap is.
Throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck’s feelings toward Jim changes from thinking he is just a slave, to a friend, and eventually more like a father-figure. There is more to this novel than just two boys floating along the Mississippi River. It addresses the seriousness of racism and abuse and talks about the importance of friends and family. Even though Huck and Jim come from different races, the time they have spent together really helps to surpass the discrimination happening and become not just friends,