Huck Finn #2

            In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, one of the most apparent relationships so far is the one of Jim and Huck.  Throughout the first part of the book the bond between Jim and Huck is a father-son relationship.  Huck has lived a very confusing life without knowing who he really is.  This starts with his a lack of family and because of the absence of a real family he needs someone to guide him.  Although Widow Douglas has been really trying to devote herself to make Huck into a fine young boy, Huck was never happy.  He seems to be much happier in nature, and since Jim and Huck started their journey together at the island Huck feels more relaxed around Jim.  As soon as he feels the absence of his “father” and gets the idea that Jim could be in trouble he does not like it.  “I had got uneasy I couldn’t set still” (Twain 64).  Huck is afraid of losing Jim, which is also unusual because at the time Jim being an African-American and Huck liking him so much and treating him like his own father was crazy.  Huck needs Jim, although he may not know, but Jim needs Huck so he does not look like a runaway slave and even for a friendship.

            Jim is an uneducated runaway slave and Huck does not know how much power and control he has over him.  Jim ultimately needs Huck for the sake of looking like he has not escaped, but it is a deeper matter in which Jim needs Huck.  When he thinks that Huck is in danger, but then Huck comes back he is very grateful.  “It’s too good for true, honey, it’s too good for true.  Lemme look at you chile, lemme feel o’you. No, you ain’ dead” (87)!  At first it seems that Jim is glad to know Huck is ok for sake of his own protection, but his father characteristics come out and he is in awe and joy to know that Huck is ok.  This is exactly what a father would be thinking to know that his son is not harmed.  Jim and Huck’s relationship