Huck Finn Post 2

In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one of the most evident examples of family is the relationship between Huck and Jim. Although not actually related, their friendship and age difference blossoms into a father-son type of relationship throughout the book. At first, back at the widow's house, they do not have much of a relationship; the only encounters they had were when Huck would play pranks on Jim and at occasional times around the house. The gap between them lengthens when Huck is away with his father, and Huck never expects to see the slave again. Although he believes this, their meeting on Jackson's Island starts the beginning of a new and close relationship. Slowly developing, as they share their stories and spend more time together, their time on the island has more friendship-like qualities. Huck even still finds it funny to play pranks on Jim, such as the rattlesnake incident. Once they find out they have to escape, Jim seems to occupy more of a father role. "'Git up and hump yourself, Jim! There ain't a minute to lose. They're after us!' Jim never asked no questions, he never said a word; but the way he worked for the next half an hour showed about how he was scared" (Twain 68). Their sudden departure from Jackson's Island represents Jim's uneasiness but willingness to take a leadership/role model position. The two escape, unsure of what their plan is, but knowing they will have the support of each other. 


Huck and Jim, fleeing from their normal lives for freedom, realize they have more and more in common with each other. Even though their perceptions of freedom are different, their equal amount of drive for it brings them together. They both were extremely lonely in their previous situations, and them finding companionship brings them even closer. Both realize that even though they only have each other, it is completely fine because they have established such great of a relationship and they truly care for each other. Both Jim and Huck seem to have discovered a sense of acceptance and respectfulness between each other, something unique in most father-son-type relationships. "'Pooty soon I'll be a-shout'n' for joy, en I'll say, it's all on accounts o' Huck; I's a free man, en I couldn't ever ben free ef it hadn't ben for Huck: Huck done it. Jim won't ever forgit you, Huck; you's de bes' fren' Jim's ever had....'" (92). Although Jim describes Huck as a best friend, he is unknowingly interacting with him as if he were his son; assuming leadership he is not used to. His actions toward Huck foreshadow that if he is reunited with his children later on, he will be an excellent, dedicated father. These interactions also show that Huck, even though being with someone who is considered socially lower in status, treats Jim with undoubted respect; if he had a proper father figure, he could have the potential of an excellent son. This relationship between a runaway slave and a runaway boy represents a unique collaboration that will unlikely be split.