The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name of Mark Twain, tells the story of Huck's travels down the Mississippi River with a runaway slave. Huck lived in a small town with his biological father, Pap; a drunk who had caused him many problems. However, in the novel, the character of Jim is portrayed as the "true father" of Huck. Because Jim acts as a role model and a mentor to Huck along their journey down the river, he proves to be more of a father figure to Huck than his biological father Pap.
A father teaches his son lessons. Jim taught Huck many lessons both intentionally and indirectly. Jim shows Huck that slaves are real people, just like himself, despite the different color of skin. Huck gained a greater amount of respect for Jim when he talked of missing his family. Jim also shared with Huck that he remembers beating his little four-year-old girl once. Jim told Huck he regretted his actions and was overcome with sadness, and of how he misses his family towards the end of the novel. Jim teaches Huck that slaves are not different because of color; they have feelings, emotions, and love their families just as much as whites. Sharing this compassionate side of Jim teaches Huck that slaves are not completely different simply because of color. Jim allows Huck to see that slaves have feelings, emotions, and love their families just as white folk would love theirs.
Jim cares for and protects Huck, just as a father should. When Jim and Huck went exploring in the two-story house, Jim would not let Huck see the dead man in the house. ""Come in, Huck, but doan" look at his face- it's too gashly". I didn't look at him at all. Jim throwed some old rags over him- Jim covered the man so Huck wouldn't have to look at him. The dead man was his Pap. Jim did not want Huck to have to see his father's face and be upset. Jim was looking out for Huck and trying to protect him.
