Throughout the novel, I will analyze the relationship between Huck and Jim in this coursework.
The focus of this analysis is the development of the relationship in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The story takes place in 19th Century America, particularly in the southern states where slavery was prevalent among black individuals. In that era, it was uncommon for white and black people to engage or socialize with each other.
The story primarily revolves around white characters who hold prejudice against black individuals. Huckleberry Finn, a thirteen-year-old Caucasian boy, takes center stage as the main character and is recognized for his adventurous nature. Nevertheless, his relationship with his alcoholic father is strained and he does not hold him in high regard. The African American community mainly comprised of enslaved individuals who were s
...ubjected to discriminatory treatment as inferior citizens.
Jim, a black slave in his thirties, desires to journey to Cairo to achieve freedom. He plans to labor in order to secure the release of his enslaved family.
Widow Douglas takes care of Huck, but he dislikes her and has attempted to escape her guardianship. Widow Douglas is the owner of Jim, whom Huck consistently plays pranks on. Jim is a trusting individual who always falls for these deceptions.
At the beginning of the novel, Huck and Jim do not have a good relationship. However, it is at Jackson Island where they first reunite after getting separated. Jim is happy to see Huck because he believed Huck had been killed. Similarly, Huck is thrilled to see Jim, exclaiming, 'I was ever so glad to see Jim.'
This indicates that Huck is beginning to develop some concern for Jim. Additionally
he displays a sense of trust as he is unafraid of Jim revealing his whereabouts, stating, "I wasn't afraid of him telling people where I was." Both Huck and Jim were fleeing from something.
Jim confides in Huck, revealing his intention to run away. This act demonstrates the trust Jim has in Huck: "'Well, I b'lieve you, Huck. I-I run off.'" This event strengthens their relationship significantly; however, Jim's trust in Huck surpasses Huck's trust in him. As they reside on Jacksons Island, their bond continues to grow and evolve.
When they enter a house that floats down river during the flood, Jim finds Huck's dead pa in the house. Jim does not tell Huck who the dead person was. This shows that Jim cares for Huck, 'Come in, Huck, but doan' look at his face - it's too gashly. ' Huck again tries to play a trick on Jim, which goes badly wrong. Huck finds a dead snakeskin. Jim told him not to touch it because it is bad luck but Huck lifts it up and puts it into Jim's sleeping bag.
The snakes 'mate' bit Jim, causing him pain. In order to numb his pain, Jim consumes whiskey. To prevent Jim from realizing that he was responsible for the snakebite, Huck conceals the snakeskin.
Despite not wanting Jim to find out, Huck admits, "This shows that Huck still does not treat Jim like a true friend even though Jim treats Huck like a friend." They continue their journey downriver for a few days, until encountering a particularly foggy night. Unable to travel in the fog, they decide to anchor the skiff. Huck ties the rope to
a twig as he gets off the skiff, but unfortunately, the twig breaks before Jim can follow suit.
Jim drifted downriver while Huck followed in the canoe, unable to catch up. They remained separated for a significant period of time until Huck eventually found Jim, who was fast asleep. Huck decided to play a prank by pretending that it was all just a dream. Jim fell for the trick and started interpreting the supposed dream.
'Gone away? Why, what in the nation do you mean?' Huck then informed Jim that it was not a dream and Jim doubted him. However, he provided evidence of debris on the boat. Jim was not pleased with this, saying, '...en wid de callin' for you, en went to sleep, my heart wuz mos' broke bekase you wuz los'..
' Huck was then compelled to apologize to Jim, indicating a significant advancement in their relationship. "It took me fifteen minutes to gather the courage to go and humble myself in front of a Negro - but I did it, and I never regretted it," Huck declares that he had no regrets about apologizing to Jim.'
This marked Huck's initial act of apologizing to a black person, contrary to his upbringing where he was taught not to apologize to a nigger. However, he genuinely cared for Jim's emotions and extended an apology for his actions. Both of them acknowledged their mutual dependence in order to evade Miss Watson. It was at this juncture that Huck began to value Jim's companionship and assistance, recognizing the significance of Jim's guidance during their shared journey along the river.
Jim required Huck's assistance while navigating the river. After Jim was
sold to Tom's Aunt Polly, Tom and Huck collaborate on a scheme to liberate Jim. Their plan involved swindling Jim away from Tom's Aunt Polly. To accomplish this, they posed as robbers, crafted a daunting letter to frighten the local population, and executed the theft of Jim under the cover of night.
However, fifteen farmers were waiting for them, and when Jim, Huck, and Tom attempted to flee, they were noticed and targeted by the farmers who shot at them. Unfortunately, Tom was injured in the leg. Huck's decision to help free Jim thus proved to be highly perilous.
Huck's affection for Jim is evident, establishing their friendship. Additionally, it reflects Huck's reliance on Jim for the continuation of their river journey. Despite the perilous situation of being targeted by local farmers' gunfire, Huck proceeded with this risky plan. Initially, Huck engaged in numerous pranks targeting Jim.
Although he did not consider him a friend and did not particularly like him, he regarded Jim as nothing more than a slave. However, their relationship gradually develops throughout the story, starting from the moment they encounter each other on Jacksons Island. Initially, Jim placed more trust in Huck than Huck did in Jim. This trust stemmed from the fact that Jim had no one else to rely on, while Huck was a privileged and affluent boy.
Huck pulled various pranks on Jim during their journey, which included placing a snakeskin under Jim's blanket resulting in a severe snakebite. However, the most malicious trick Huck played was when he pretended his own disappearance was just a dream. Despite this, Jim's concern for Huck was evident in his words. Upon realizing it was
not merely a dream, Jim became upset, and Huck was compelled to apologize for his actions.
This was a significant milestone in the relationship between Jim and Huck, as it marked a level of equality between them. Prior to this, Jim held more respect for Huck than Huck did for Jim. However, by the end of the story, Jim was emancipated from slavery, making him an equal to Huck as he was no longer a slave.
During their adventure, both Jim and Huck realized the importance of their interdependence. Jim came to this realization earlier than Huck did. Ultimately, by the end of the story, they developed a strong and respectful friendship, in which they genuinely cared for each other.
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