Similarities Between Huckleberry Finn And Frederick Douglass

Throughout the infamous novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written by Mark Twain, and the narrative, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave written by Frederick Douglass, the overall theme of freedom in these novels is present to all characters within each book. In the end freedom has the same meaning to the characters Huck, Jim, and Frederick. However, the way these characters reach this conclusion differs because of their personal experiences. The form of freedom Huck strives for at the start of the book is very different than those of Jim and Frederick. Earning freedom for Huck does not mean escaping slavery, but rather escaping a dark past and finding a new light in getting away from the awful ties he has to

His perception of freedom changed because instead of just becoming independent from his dad, freedom meant allowing himself to give others an equal chance, especially with Jim. The turning point for Huck’s character was seeing him as an equal rather than an inferior. “It was fifteen minutes before I could go work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger-but I done it, and I warn’t ever sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn't no him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that one if I knowed it would make him feel that way” (Twain 73). At this point in the story the relationship between Huck and Jim further develops as having Jim as the closest thing Huck has to a real “father figure”. In his life Huck is learning that freedom by allowing himself to have a relationship with Jim. The changes Huck’s character went through was important as it allows for him to understand how being vulnerable with others can benefit him.Freedom at the end of the book for Jim is no longer about fleeing from New Orleans, but rather his perception of freedom is changed to the unimaginable..escaping slavery while receiving help from a young white boy. Freedom for Jim now means no longer being a slave,but finding himself and being accepted by Huck. Jim exclaimed, “Pooty soon I’ll be-a shout’n for joy, en I’ll say it’s all on accounts of o’ Huck;I’s a free man, en I couldn’t eber ben free if it hadn’t ben for Huck; Huck done it. Jim won’t ever forgit you Huck; you’s de bes’ fren’ Jim’s ever had; en you’s de only fren Jim’s got now”(Twain 75). This exhibits the amount of appreciation that Jim felt for Huck and he was aware that Huck saw him as an equal despite the colors of their skin.This shows that freedom for Jim meant finding himself and allowing help from others despite physical differences. Frederick Douglass’s definition of freedom changed