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Slaves And Freedom In The Story Of Huckleberry Finn

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Huckleberry Finn was an adventurous boy trying to find his freedom. In the story of Huckleberry Finn, a young boy runs away from his father; the town drunk. He then meets up with Jim; a slave owned by Mrs. Watson. The story takes place post war, and it’s all about Huck going on an adventure down the Mississippi River trying to find his freedom, as well as Jims. Along the way they come face to face with many problems such as the Duke and the King, the Phelps, and Tom Sawyer. Despite the time period, Huck sees Jim as a slave, a friend, and a Father. Slaves are not looked upon as peoples, they are thought of as property. In Huckleberry Finn, Huck views Jim as a slave. In Document B it states, “African Americans were considered “being of an inferior order” and that, even at the time of the writing of the Declaration of Independence, it was common belief that black people had “no rights which white men were bound to respect.”... If african americans had no rights at the time of the founding of the United States, the they could not be considered citizens, ever.” This is a strong statement from the Dred scott case. During this case, a jury of 12 white men favored in his freedom, but he lost. This is an example of why Huck would view Jim as a slave. It was the normal thing for an African American to not be viewed as a citizens. Friends are reliable and trustworthy people. Huck also views Jim as a friend. In Document B it says, “You go en git in de river agin, whah you b’longs, en doan’ do nuffin to ole Jim, ‘at ‘uz alwuz yo’ fren.” Jim says this when he sees Huck. He thinks he is a ghost at first because he had faked his death, and he tells him not to hurt him because he was always his friend. In Document E, Huck has a dilemma. He can’t decide whether to write to Mrs. Watson or to keep Jim safe. Huck writes the letter at first but then he says, “ All right, then, I’ll go to hell”- and tore it up.” This is an example of Huck and Jim’s friendship because Huck cares more about Jim then that cash reward for turning him in. He realizes a friend is more important than money, and Jim is just searching for his freedom like Huck is. The last figure Huck sees Jim as is a father. This is most likely because Huck has never

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