Huck Finn Post 2

                The relationship between Huck and Jim is partly one of father and son, and also one of brother to brother. They are companions in fleeing their old lives, and have been together for many adventures and trials. Jim occasionally plays the role of father to Huck, because he does seem to have a unique sort of wisdom and knowledge. Whenever Huck gets a bad idea into his head and follows through with it, Jim is always the one to tell him the smart thing to do. Huck often looks to him for guidance. However, this goes both ways. Although Jim does have many things that he can teach Huck because he is older and more knowledgeable about many things, Huck has received an education. There are times when Huck seems to abandon the role of son and teach Jim a few things about the world. For instance, although is playing the role of father to Huck, it still falls to Huck to explain to Jim the simple concept of people speaking languages other than English. “Why, Huck, doan’ de French people talk de same way we does?” “No, Jim; you couldn’t understand a word they said – not a single word.” “Well, now, I be ding – busted! How do dat comes” (Twain 83)? This is where the brotherly aspect of their relationship comes in, as they both seem to have things that they can teach each other.

                Huck and Jims’ bond of friendship is tested in the sixteenth chapter of their story when Huck gives some hard though about how wrong he thinks it is for Jim to flee his master, and plan to free more slaves. Huck got it into his head to turn Jim in, and departed their canoe near a town, saying he was going to check if the town was Cairo. Jim offered him some friendly departing words. “Pooty soon I’ll be a-shout’n’ en I’ll say, it’s all on accounts o’ Huck; I’s a free man, en I couldn’t ever been free if it hadn’t been 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’ ole Jim’s got now” (Twain 92). After hearing these words of gratitude, Huck gets a sick feeling of guilt and changes his mind, quickly saving Jim soon after from two white men searching for escaped slaves. This part in the book seemed to show that both Huck and Jim could always trust each other, and that their bond of friendship was now too strong to break. The friends face many more trials throughout the story, and stick by each other whenever possible.