Huck and Jim
Huck and Jim
Huck and Jim’s relationship is unlike any one I have ever read about before. Jim goes from being treated as a slave and being devalued as a human by Huck, to being seen nearly equal and a friend of Huck. The fact that Jim stays loyal to Huck through all of that shows the character of Jim as being a trustworthy and loyal friend.
Huck views Jim as property and an ignorant slave that is below him. I believe that Huck thinks like this not because he is evil but because of the society that surrounds him. The society that surrounds Huck devalues the humanity of slaves. The view that slaves were property to be owned and couldn't think for themselves greatly influences Huck by him looking down on Jim. Furthermore, Huck decides he will just be punished and “go to hell” for helping Jim escape because he values his friendship more than doing what society believes is the right thing to do. So, Huck not only agrees to help Jim get to Cairo, but he also arranges to help Jim escape after the Duke and the King turn Jim in for the monetary reward. Huck’s actions show that he has risen up against society in order to save the friendship with Jim. Huck wants Jim to be able to go back and get his family and he realizes Jim is similar to “white people” because he has feelings and cares about others. The pranks Huck pulls on Jim show his attitude toward him. For instance, after Jim and Huck get separated in the fog, Huck thinks that Jim is ignorant enough to believe that none of it had happened, and that Jim had imagined it all. Jim recognizes this and calls Huck out on it and actually stands up to Huck. Huck’s thought process after Jim stood up to him shows that he still believes he is superior over Jim. Huck says, "It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger.” Huck feels like he is lowering himself by apologizing to Jim. In addition, another event in their relationship is when they argue over language and King Solomon.
Huck and Jim’s relationship is unlike any one I have ever read about before. Jim goes from being treated as a slave and being devalued as a human by Huck, to being seen nearly equal and a friend of Huck. The fact that Jim stays loyal to Huck through all of that shows the character of Jim as being a trustworthy and loyal friend.
Huck views Jim as property and an ignorant slave that is below him. I believe that Huck thinks like this not because he is evil but because of the society that surrounds him. The society that surrounds Huck devalues the humanity of slaves. The view that slaves were property to be owned and couldn't think for themselves greatly influences Huck by him looking down on Jim. Furthermore, Huck decides he will just be punished and “go to hell” for helping Jim escape because he values his friendship more than doing what society believes is the right thing to do. So, Huck not only agrees to help Jim get to Cairo, but he also arranges to help Jim escape after the Duke and the King turn Jim in for the monetary reward. Huck’s actions show that he has risen up against society in order to save the friendship with Jim. Huck wants Jim to be able to go back and get his family and he realizes Jim is similar to “white people” because he has feelings and cares about others. The pranks Huck pulls on Jim show his attitude toward him. For instance, after Jim and Huck get separated in the fog, Huck thinks that Jim is ignorant enough to believe that none of it had happened, and that Jim had imagined it all. Jim recognizes this and calls Huck out on it and actually stands up to Huck. Huck’s thought process after Jim stood up to him shows that he still believes he is superior over Jim. Huck says, "It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger.” Huck feels like he is lowering himself by apologizing to Jim. In addition, another event in their relationship is when they argue over language and King Solomon.