Huckleberry Finn and his close relationship to Jim.

During the novel "Huckleberry Finn," the role of Huck's father was temporarily taken upon by Jim, a slave. Growing up with Tom Sawyer as a leader and mentor, Huck never learned how to be his own person, and what was right from wrong. Although Miss Watson tried desperately to civilize young Huck, nothing could tame his wild spirit and need to be free. Only the qualities found in Jim could balance him out, focusing his vision and leading him in the right direction. Though near the end of the story, when Tom Sawyer is introduced into the narrative again, Huck seems to lose all the maturity gained through the ordeal, Jim was still responsible for sparking his motivation to become his own person. As the book progressed, Huck realized that Jim was his savior, and that his feelings for him were what were missing in his life.

From the moment Jim and Huck convened, there was a trust bond that was made, and that could not be broken.

The cover of the first edition of Adventures of Hu...

Illustration of Jim and Huckleberry Finn, by EW Ke...

Drawing of Huckleberry finn with a rabbit and a gu...

Jim shows his concern for Huck when the body of Pap was found by saying, "Come in, Huck, but doan' look at his face-it's too gashly." The fact that Jim cared enough to protect Huck's innocence shows the beginning stages of their close relationship. Jim's heart goes out to the young master, even though Huck has never felt the pain in a slave's existence. The father-son tie shows itself when Huck thinks, "I warn't going to let Jim find out it was all my fault, not if I could help it." As a child fears the punishment they will receive when they have done something wrong, such does Huck feel in his ignorant prank. At that time no mercy was given to the working blacks of the South, but Huck sees Jim...