Theme: Racism (Huck's Development)

Huck and Jim

Throughout the novel, Huck realizes that the stereotype of blacks that society holds is not accurate.  At the beginning of the novel, he held the traditional view of whites of blacks.  But, after getting to know Jim better, Huck realizes that that stereotype is inaccurate.

-In the beginning of the novel, Huck merely considers Jim a servant and an expert on superstition.  Huck comes to Jim as an authority with the "hair-ball oracle" in Chapter 4.

-When Huck finds Jim in Jackson's Island, he is excited to have someone else on the island with him, so he is not alone.  He and Jim (after he is convinced that Huck is not a ghost) talk and enjoy each other's company.

-After Huck plays a prank on Jim by putting a dead snake at the foot of his blanket, and Jim is bit by the snake, Huck actually cares about him and resolves never to touch snakeskin again (it brings bad luck).

-Huck comes and warns Jim, "They're after us!" (62).  This quote shows that Huck thinks of them as a team, and he did not escape by himself.  He comes and warns Jim.

 -Huck lies to Jim and says that Jim dreamed the separation, but once Jim figures out that Huck is lying, he is angry.  Huck goes and apologizes to Jim, which is unheard of.  He realizes that Jim has feelings too.  "I didn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd' a' knowed it would make him feel that way." (86).

Relieving the Snakebite

-When Jim talks about his family, Huck believes that "he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their'n  ...  he was a mighty good n-----, Jim was." (155).  Huck realizes that Jim loves his family, and this is the beginning of the definite change in Huck's thinking.  He begins thinking that Jim is like a white man with a different color skin.

-Huck continues to struggle with his conscience because society has taught him that helping runaway slaves is wrong.  In Chapter 31, he writes a letter to Miss Watson detailing where Jim is.  But, Huck "couldn't seem to strike no places to harden me against him." (213).  Huck's mind replays the journey down the river and all the things Jim has done for him (watching Huck's watch, waiting for him, caring for him, etc.).  He decides to "go to hell" and help Jim escape.

Yes or No?

-While with Tom helping Jim escape as well, Huck loses some of his independence from society when he falls easily into Tom's hands.

-When Jim refuses to continue the escape until Tom is seen by a doctor, Huck's new viewpoint of Jim is complete.  "I knowed he was white inside." (275).

From the beginning to the end, Huck's relationship with Jim helps Huck realize that Jim is not much different from other noble white men.  Twain uses Jim to represent all blacks and to show that blacks are humans just like whites.




Pictures:

First picture courtesy of: http://www.betterlivingthroughbeowulf.com/?p=7732

Second picture courtesy of: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/76/old/orig76-h/p2.htm

Third picture courtesy of: http://elizabethh786.edublogs.org/2011/10/26/the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn/