Why Huckleberry Finn Is Wrong

Huckleberry Finn recognizes Jim as a human being, but is fighting the beliefs bestowed upon him by a society that believes slaves should not be free. However, it is important to realize that although Huckleberry Finn's decisions create the conflict between society and himself (and that this conflict forms the theme of the novel), Huck is oblivious to the justice, the righteousness, and even the heroism of his own actions, they are simply in accordance with his own conscience.

Huck has only ever known his father as the uneducated drunk that he was in the book. Therefore, when he is out with Jim for such a long period of time, he begins to look up to Jim and his outlook on life. In Document E, in the letter Huck wants to write to Miss. Watson, we see him explain somewhat the adventure him and Jim went on. Specifically, when they were traveling down the river, “...and would always call me honey, and pet me, and do everything he could think of for me, and how good he always was;” (Document E). To me, this not only shows how Huck saw Jim as a father figure, but how Jim treated Huck as his own flesh and blood. Also in Document E, we see Huck decide to help Jim rather than telling Miss. Watson where he is. This exhibits how Huck is okay with the fact that this will always be on his conscience, “‘All right then, I’ll go to hell’--and tore it up,” (Document E). Huck deciding this on his own shows us how he didn’t want anyone to know where Jim was because he wanted him to stay in his life. He also wanted to save Jim so he would still have that father figure in his life. In spite of the fact that Jim has no rights, Huck is able to learn valuable things from this man on their adventure down the

Huck hides out on Jackson's Island and for the first time in a while has no authoritative figure controlling him. Even when he discovers Jim, the Widow's slave, Huck doesn't consider himself "outranked." Huck has been taught that a runaway slave is an evil thing. Being able to make his own decision about the matter, however, Huck decides to go against society. "People would call me a low-down Abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum - but that don't make no difference. I ain't a-going to tell" (43). This is Huck's first sign of maturity as we find that he is able to make his own decisions.

During the beginning of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Jim and Huck were not close. They were barely even friends. Huck thought of Jim as a servant, not a friend. As the book progressed however, Jim and Huck became closer. One could even say that by the end of the book Jim was like a father or brother to Huck. As Huck develops as a person, it becomes easier for him to see Jim as a human and not just property and helping him, while it may be wrong, is the right thing to do in his eyes.

Early on it was obvious that Huckleberry liked to exploit the vulnerability of others. A prime example of Huck’s exploits were when he had convinced Jim that he had gone mad or was dreaming., “En you ain’dead- you ain’drownded-you’s back agin?”(63) Jim was showing a genuine concern for Huckleberry’s wellbeing. Belittling one who cares for him, unknowing of what the future holds for the both of them. Lying was a trait that was very prominent in Huckleberry’s life. He lied about him dying, tried to deceive people by being dressed as a girl, and more. “”Well,last I pulled out some of my hair, and bloodied the axe good,”(25) how easy it was for Huckleberry to “die” and runaway instead of returning to those who cared about him.

At a young age, people were programmed to believe that slaves were inferior human beings that were void of thoughts, intellect, feelings, etc . Huck first sees Jim as another half-witted slave, but as they spend more time together on their trek, he realizes that what was once a mindless slave below him, has become a good companion and friend to him. Huck’s relationship with Jim is very intriguing overall. In chapters 1 through 3, Jim is introduced into the novel as a simple, superstitious slave to Mrs. Watson.

Huck Finn's relationship with slavery is very complex and often contradictory. He has been brought up to accept slavery. He can think of no worse crime than helping to free a slave. Despite this, he finds himself on the run with Jim, a runaway slave, and doing everything in his power to protect him. Huck Finn grew up around slavery. His father is a violent racist, who launches into tirades at the idea of free blacks roaming around the countryside. Miss Watson owns slaves, including Jim, so that no matter where he goes, the idea of blacks as slaves is reinforced. The story takes place during the 1840's, at a time when racial tensions were on the rise, as northern abolitionists tried to stir up trouble in the South. This prompted a

Although, it can be inferred that his peers are trying to steer him into the wrong direction when it comes to how slaves should be treated. Huck is faced with the decision of helping his friend slave named Jim escape across the Mississippi or turn him in like any other towns member during this time. The climax of this decision occurs when Huck wrote a letter to inform Miss Watson where her runaway slave is, which would supposedly lift his sins and help make him a better christian. Instead, he followed his heart and said “‘All right, then, I’ll go to hell’-and tore it up.” (Twain 668)

He constantly found himself battling on whether to help Jim or turn him in, which would be more sociably acceptable. But as Huck befriended him, he came to realize that Jim was more like him than he previously assumed. And after witnessing Jim's emotional outburst concerning his daughter, Huck thought that Jim "cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their’n. It don’t seem natural, but I reckon it’s so" (Twain 117). But this goes against everything he would have been taught to support slavery. One of the rationales behind slavery is that black people aren't humans, but "animals"/"savages". But by Twain showing Jim as having emotions that even a white person can identify with, he displays how the conception that blacks are emotionless animals is untrue. And later on, when he once again struggles with turning in Jim, Huck's actions sheds light on how cruel slavery is and the worth of a black persons life. He came to the decision that he would even risk going to hell to set Jim free, as he stated "All right, then, Ill go to hell" (Twain 162). After experiencing how Jim treated him and how much he acted like a normal "white person" would, Huck was able to realize that Jim's life was equally as valuable as his own and that forced labor would be injustice. Additionally, Twain used Jim's actions in contrast to characters such as the king, Duke, and Pap to further prove his

Jim, who becomes Huck's friend as he travels down the Mississippi river, is a man of intelligence and consideration. "An understanding of Jim's character is by no means a simple matter; he is a highly complex and original creation, although he appears at first sight very simple" (Hansen, 388). Jim has one of the few well functioning families in the novel. Although he has been estranged from his wife and children, he misses them dreadfully, and it is only the thought of a lasting separation from them that motivates his unlawful act of running away from Miss Watson. Jim is rational about his situation and must find ways of accomplishing his goals without provoking the fury of those who could turn him in. Regardless of the restrictions and constant fear Jim possesses he consistently acts as a gracious human being and a devoted friend. In fact, Jim could be described as the only existent adult in the novel, and the only one who provides an encouraging, decent example for Huck to follow. The people that surround Huck who are supposed to be teaching him of morals, and not to fall into the down falls of society are the exact people who need to be taught the lessons of life by Jim. Jim conveys an honesty that makes the dissimilarity between him and the characters around him evident.

Although Huck is a bit racist to Jim at the beginning of their journey, the negative attitude held by Huck begins to fizzle as their adventure continues on. The more Huck and Jim go through together, the closer the two become. Huck begins to see Jim as a friend and vice versa. By the end of their journey, Huck disagrees with society's idea that blacks are inferior. One example of this is evident when Huck doesn't tell anyone of Jim's whereabouts. Huck doesn't tell anyone because he knows that if he does, Jim will be forced to return to slavery. Instead, Huck chooses to "go to Hell" for his decision. He has shied away from society's acceptance of slavery.

But it warn 't so. I tried it" (Twain 8). His view of religion continues to deteriorate through Christian’s view of slavery. Slavery was the way of life for many Southerners and almost all African Americans. Those who did not partake in this destructive lifestyle were still affected by the choices people made regarding slavery. Slaves were treated as property by virtually all whites living in the South, and some Northerners looked down on them. Huck witnesses slavery firsthand since Miss Watson owns slaves.

A major theme in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is slavery and our evolvement towards the institution. “In fact, Twain’s novel is often taught as the text that epitomizes this tradition, with Huck held up as its exemplar: a boy courageous enough to stand against the moral conventions of his society. . .” (Bollinger, 32 – Say It Jim) In the beginning of Huckleberry Finn’s relationship with Jim, he has little respect for him and as their journey progresses he

Like a true father, Jim provides Huck with love and compassion. In the absence of his father, Jim makes it his rightful duty to give Huck the love he deserves. Jim and Huck overcome obstacles and trials to become closer than friends, they become family. Their time together strengthens the commitment they have put into their friendship. In the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Jim demonstrates his compassion towards Huck when they encounter the dead man in the frame house on the island. By Jim covering the body with rags he is being compassionate of Huck, shielding him from the tragedy that is death. Jim protects Hucks childish innocence and is compassionate of his emotions. Jim also proves to be loving as he is tender towards Huck as he reappears in his life after leaving to the Grangerfords and after falling off the raft. Jim gives Huck the things Pap is unable to give him. Through this Twain proves Jim is Hucks true

Huckleberry displays individual conscience several times throughout the book when he makes the decision to not turn Jim in as a runaway slave. One foggy night, Huck and Jim get separated from each other and spend a lonely night apart. When they reunite in the