Final Trick Huck Plays On Jim example essay topic

A Trip Within' The Heart Of A Colorless Boy In Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the main characters take a trip within the heart, not just a trip down the Mississippi River. Throughout the trip down the Mississippi River, Huckleberry Finn's, a homeless waif, thoughts about racism change from a racist unwanted boy to a true human being with a sense of his own destiny. Throughout the novel, Huck narrates his adventure and thoughts upon racism and inequality between 'niggers'; and whites. Huck and 'nigger'; Jim, runaway slave, float down the Mississippi River as unequal individuals, but towards the end of the novel Huck distinguishes that even African-Americans are as equal as white human beings. Huck never respects the 'niggers,' ; especially Jim since Huck and Tom Sawyer, a romanticized friend, continuously play tricks on Jim so they can feel superior to the 'black'; race.

Even though Huck escapes society and his abusive father, Pap Finn, he continues to play tricks on Jim, since Jim ran away from slavery. For example, when Jim explains that he ran off Huck disapproves but promises not to turn him in even though 'people would call [him] a low-down Abolitionist'; (50). This demonstrates that Huck is a kind trustworthy racist boy; however, Huck's superstitious character 'curled [a rattlesnake] up on the foot of Jim's blanket'; as a joke, although in the night the rattlesnake's mate bit Jim (59). In addition, Huck 'warn't going to let Jim find out it was [his] fault'; nor apologize because he did not want to feel low to a 'nigger'; (59).

This incident demonstrates that Huck still views himself as superior to Jim because of his skin color. At this point of the novel, Huck is helping Jim escape which makes him feel low down to civilization; however, he continues to trick Jim so he can be better quality. Huck maintains to treat Jim with little respect and even though he suffers for the trick, he never apologizes to Jim. As they progress down the river, Huck begins to realize the true character of Jim as an equal man with greatness and kindness in his heart. During their ride down the river Huck decides to play another trick on the so-called unintelligent Jim. The final trick Huck plays on Jim while they are in the fog is making Jim believe that everything that has happened in the storm after they broke-off from each other only occurred in Jim's mind.

However, Jim notices the rubbish and the broken oar from the storm and 'when he did get the thing straightened around he looked at me steady without ever smiling'; (89). After figuring out what has happened Jim enlightens Huck that ' [his] heart wu mos' broke bekase [Huck] wu los', en [he] didn' k'yer no' mo' what become er me en de raf'. En when [he] [woke] up en find [Huck] back ag " in, all safe en soun', de tears come, en [he] could 'a' got down on [his] knees en kiss [Huck's] foot, [he's] so thankful. En all [Huck] wu think in' 'bout wu how [he] could make a fool uv ole Jim wid a lie'; (89). At this point of the book is the climatic turning point of Huck's thoughts on equality between 'niggers'; and whites since 'it made [him] feel so mean [he] could almost kissed [Jim's] foot to get [Jim] to take it back'; (89). It took Huck 'fifteen minutes'; before he could work up the courage to go apologize and 'humble [him] self to a nigger,' ; which demonstrates that Huck changes his views on slaves.

In addition, Jim confesses he smacked his daughter for not listening, not realizing she was deaf, and he tells Huck that he {grab her up in [his] arms, es say, 'Oh, de po' little thing! De Lord God Almighty fo give po' ole Jim, kate he never gwyn e to forgive his self as long's he live!' Oh, she was plumb deep en dumb'; (154). Even though Huck does not reply to Jim's confession he reflects that his father, Pap, who abused him never felt guilt or sorry but here is Jim, who hit his daughter once, never forgave himself for the act. Huck realizes that Jim is the better father whether he is black or white skinned, since Jim is a man who can forgive other, but cannot forgive himself for an unknowingly misguided act. The final juncture that completely changes Huck's attitude toward Jim is seen towards the end of the novel. For example, after Jim is captured Huck begins to note whether he should continue protecting and helping Jim escape or compose a letter to Miss Watson, Jim's owner, telling her where she could find her 'nigger.

' ; Huck began thinking and he got 'to thinking over [their] trip down the river... and [they] a-floating along, talking and singing and laughing'; (207). He steadily began to realize that Jim is equal and all the racism in Huck has been washed away. In addition, Jim is now Huck's 'bes' free' Jim's ever had,' ; which makes Huck appreciate Jim and comes to the conclusion that Huck would rather 'go to hell'; and help Jim escape again (92 / 207). The society that Huck lives in believes that by helping a slave escape is sinful; however, Huck acts as an unreliable narrator since everything he believes is usually diametrically opposite.

Helping Jim escape is a very excellent deed, which does not entitle Huck to 'go to hell'; but allows him direct access to a literal heaven. Huck's final attitude towards Jim is transformed into a strong friendship and admiration. As a result, Huck and Jim travel down the river within their hearts and organized a very strong friendship without racist views. Huck has learned from Jim the meanings of freedom, honor, and friendship. Huck believes that Jim is very much like white people, equally the same no matter what skin color, since Jim must care for his family as much as white people do for theirs. In the end, Huck's attitude is forever changed towards Jim by the incidents that have happened along the ride down the river of humanity of equality..