Relationship Between Huck and Jim

                Huckleberry Finn and Jim have a very unique relationship for being two people of a different race. Jim is black and Huck is white, normally people of these races usually didn’t associate with one and other unless it involved the white treating the black poorly or giving them orders. That was not the case in their situation. Jim and Huck had a relationship that in a way resembled the relationship of a father and son. Huck did have a father that was a good role model so it made it easier for him to look up to Jim as a father figure on their travels together. When Huck was alone on the island after he escaped he was very sad and lonely as soon as he came across Jim his spirit was immediately lifted. Once he saw someone he knew he was instantly reassured and felt safe again. “Well, I did. I said I wouldn’t, and I’ll stick to it. Honest injun, I will” (Twain 50). This is what Huck said to Jim after Jim told him that he ran away from the widow. Huck promised not to tell a soul. They had an honest relationship and felt the ability to tell each other anything. Huck even told Jim about how he escaped his father and faked his own death. The two of them felt completely comfortable telling each other secrets as important as these because they knew the other was trustworthy.

            Another aspect that made their relationship seem like one of a father and son was how Jim felt it necessary to protect Huck. When the two of them went into the abandoned house that floated away they came across a dead body. Jim placed a sheet over the dead man to shield him from Huck. Jim didn’t want to expose Huck to something as frightening as that. Jim being the adult in the situation wanted to take responsibility and cover the body so it wouldn’t be a disturbance to Huck since he was so young and shouldn’t have to be exposed to things like that. Huckleberry and Jim also cared for one and other a great amount. “When I got all wore out wid work, en wid de callin’ for you, en went to sleep, my heart wuz mos’ broke bekase you wuz los’, en I didn’ k’yer no’ mo’ what become er me en de raf’. En when I wake up en find you back ag’in, all safe en soun’,de tears come, en I could ‘a’ got down on my knees en kiss yo’ foot, I’s so thankful” (Twain 89). Jim was so upset he didn’t even care what became of him when he thought he would never get the chance to see Huck again. He was so thankful he was crying when Huck came back after the two got separated in the fog. This quote shows how deeply Jim really does care for Huck. The two of them have a very strong and meaningful relationship.