Huck Finn Post 2

Over the course of time that they have spent in hiding, Huck and Jim have created a father-son relationship. As they venture down the Mississippi, they grow fond of each other’s company. Huck and Jim are able to build a shelter from the outside world. On the river, they feel at home. Both Huck and Jim look after the other and do their best to protect one another on the river. When they are looting a floating house on the river and find a dead man, Jim says to Huck, “Come in, Huck, but doan’ look at his face— it’s too gashly” (Twain 57). Jim wants to protect Huck from seeing such a disturbing sight and further places a blanket over the man. This protective act form Jim shows that he cares about Huck and wants to make sure he is not disturbed by the image. When they took shelter in the cave on Jackson’s Island Huck says, “Jim, this is nice, I wouldn’t want to be nowhere else but here” (Twain 55). This shows the comfort that each other’s company gives Huck and Jim. This also shows that Huck is found of Jim and enjoys his company.

Although Huck and Jim have developed a close bond, their relationship is constantly strained by Jim’s lingering fear of being turned in by Huck. Their relationship suffers from implications of white society at the time. Although they are both runaways and Huck is merely a boy, he has more power over Jim only because he is white, and Jim is black. At that time slaves were viewed as property, not people and it was against the law for Huck not to turn Jim in. However Huck does start to see Jim as a person and struggles over what to do. When they come across a wrecked steamboat, Huck wants to explore inside but Jim argues, “I doan’ want to go fool’n ‘long er no wrack. We’s doin’ blame’ well, en we better let blame’ well alone, as de good book says” (Twain 71). This quote is important because it shows that Jim does not want to go on the boat because he knows it is a bad idea. However, he must follow Huck in fear of upsetting him and therefore being turned in. This shows Huck’s superiority over Jim in their relationship.