Here is a link talking about the complexity of Jim. We discussed in class how he clashes with many other characters in the story. This article goes into that topic even deeper:
http://itech.fgcu.edu/&/issues/vol1/issue1/huckfinn.htm
We also talked a bit about how the river is a symbol of freedom for Huck and Jim throughout the novel. The link below has another take on what the river may symbolize:
http://www.suite101.com/content/the-river-as-god-in-huck-finn-a75246
I'll see you tomorrow.
Prof. O'Connell
had Jim not been stereotypes throughout most of the story, seeing how Huck matured and overcame his stereotypical view of blacks would have never been as powerful. Jim's attitude, superstition and way of speaking were all baselines to which Hucks gradual transition were compared to. The stereotyped Jim was completely necessary for the story and I believe showed the trouble Mark Twain had been writing about him. Hucks view and attitude toward Jim might have also paralleled Twain's view on blacks throughout his life. Jim stood for all of the slaves in southern America while Hawks stood for the attitudes and the racism of the whites in the same region.
ReplyDeleteI believe Twain used this as a way to show that blacks were nowhere as near the way they were portrayed during the time. Everyone has a hint of racism and, once someone looks different than what they look like, there is always a hesitation or different view of them. it is human nature it is bound to happen however Twain showed that he,Huck and we can overcome it if we give everyone a chance and pushed aside our stubborn ways for a more inviting and hospitable attitude