In the adventures of huckleberry Finn what is the relationship between huck and Jim?

Answer 1

Since Huck's actual father never acted like he was one, Jim and Huck develop a filial relationship. Primarily, Huck looks up to Jim as a father figure, but Huck additionally looks out for Jim like a father would his son. And, of course, they are very close and trusting friends.

Answer 2

Huck and Jim develop a deep friendship throughout their journey down the Mississippi River. Jim becomes a father figure to Huck, providing guidance and protection, while Huck learns to see Jim as a human being deserving of respect and freedom. Their relationship challenges societal norms and exposes the hypocrisy of racism in America during that time.

Answer 3

Whenever Huck pranks Jim on the raft, Jim responds by telling him his heart was broken at the thought of losing him and that friends do not do that to other friends. Also, at the turning point of the novel, Huck is provided the option of writing Miss Watson and turning in Jim, however he refuses to abandon his friend even if it means going to hell.

Answer 4

In Huckleberry Finn, Huck and Jim, characters of different races, ages and status, move from simply knowing each other to a close and trusting friendship. Most of the development of their relationship to each other comes in the beginning of the book. During the second half of the book the character of Jim takes somewhat of a back-seat to the rest of the story. He is left behind on the raft, or confined to a cell for most of the chapters after Chapter 19. Despite his infrequent appearances, it is in the last half of the book that the bond of trust is solidified in Huck's heart. When Huck decides that he will free Jim and declares, "All right, then, I'll go to hell," (pg. 206) he bases that decision on events that have brought the two closer during the trip, such as the foggy night and the time Huck saved Jim by saying he had smallpox. These are probably two of the most key events in the story as it relates to the relationship between Huck and Jim.

It is the first event, the foggy night, that brings about a major change in Huck. He risks his life trying to navigate the river in the fog in order to be reunited with Jim. When the raft first drifts off, Huck could have stayed on the shore and been safe, but he doesn't even think of not following Jim. He apologizes for mocking Jim, thus acknowledging really for the first time Jim's humanity and equal standing to himself. He remarks, "I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterward, neither," strong words for the time in which the novel was set and the time it was printed.

The second event is one of the big tests of the relationship between Jim and Huck. Jim is so close to freedom he can taste it and Huck's conscience is torturing him for helping Jim. Huck has been brought up to view the abolitionists who helped slaves escape as evil, immoral people. It is also clear in the beginning of this scene that Huck is still prejudiced against Jim. He is truly shocked that Jim would steal his wife and children. His shock shows that he believes the owners have more of a right to their slaves than Jim has a right to a family. But he doesn't betray Jim. He hears Jim's words, that Huck is his only friend and "de on'y white genlman dat ever kep' his promise to ole Jim," (pg. 87) echo in his ears and he realizes that he can't break that trust.

This scene is also indicative of level of trust Jim placed in Huck at that point in the narrative. Jim is forced into trusting Huck throughout the story, as a lone black man, especially one without free papers, wasn't valued very highly along the Mississippi. This scene, though, shows Jim's doubts in Huck's trustworthiness. The whole day Jim has been able to see how Jim's impending freedom disturbs Huck, so when Huck sets off for shore, Jim reminds him of his promise to Jim, to some extent laying a guilt-trip on him. He also hides in the water, ready to make a break for it when he sees the other boat approaching, in case Huck betrays him or doesn't succeed in fending the men off. The fact that Huck keeps his trust helps Jim to trust him.

Answer 5

Jim and Huck's friendship is very significant in the story!