Progression of Friendship Between Huck and Jim in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The famous boxer and philanthropist, Muhammad Ali, once said “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” Throughout the whole world (both fictional and real situations) friendship has always proven to be the key to fix problems and that overtime friendships only progress into deeper connections. In Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, there is an obvious friendship shown betwixt (between) Huck and Jim. Alone for a while, Huck become lonely, Huck admitted “I was ever so glad to see Jim” (Twain 44). Friendship doesn’t come to Huck as naturally as it does to Jim, so Huck stating he was happy to see Jim shows that he takes liking into Jim already. Huck and Jim found a dead body, so Jim looks at it, and calmly states, “It’s a dead man. Yes, indeedly; naked, too. He’s ben shot in de back. I reck’n he’s ben dead two er three days.

Come in, Huck, but doan’ look at his face- it’s too gashly” (53). Jim is protecting Huck from seeing his dead father, so Huck doesn’t become depressed. Huck was keeping watch and Jim was stock still sleeping (not moving), Huck assured, “Git up, and hump yourself, Jim! There ain’t a minute to lose. They’re after us” (65). Hearing this, they struck out (set off), but the only one in high danger was Jim, because Huck knew they would hash up (beat up) Jim, but as a good friend Huck tried to keep Jim safe and more calm. Jim was filled with joy to see Huck, Jim hollers (shouts), “Goodness gracious, is dat you, Huck? En you ain’ dead—you ain’ drownded—you’s back agin? It’s too good for true, honey, it’s too good for true. Lemme look at you chile, lemme feel o’ you. No, you ain’ dead! you’s back agin, ‘live en soun’, jis de same ole Huck—de same ole Huck, thanks to goodness” (87)! Jim makes it clear how pleased he is to see Huck alive and well, Jim cares for Huck. Jim thought he had a dream where Huck and him were lost from each other, and Jim explained, “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” “de tears come en I coulda got down on my knees en kiss’ yo’ foot I’s so thankful” (89). Jim cares so much for Huck that even the thought about losing Huck scares hims o muc, he was thankful to see Huck and express his gratitude. Down their journey in the raft on the river, Jim came out flat-footed (stated plainly), “Potty soon I’ll be a-shout’n for joy, en I’ll say, it’s all on accounts o’ Huck; I’s a free man, en I couldn’t ever ben free ef it hadn’ ben for Huck; Huck done it.

Jim won’t ever forgit you, Huck; you’s de bes’ fren’ Jim’s ever had (92). This quote shows the progression of their friendship because Jim expresses his gratefulness for Huck being such a indulgent friend in helping him become free. Jim prasies Huck for being a great friend, Jim explained, “you’s de only fren’ ole Jim’s got now” (92). This shows how thankful Jim is to have Huck as a friend, the only friend he has. Jim sings, “We’s safe, Huck, we’s safe! Jump up and crack yo’ heels, dat’s de good Cairo at las’, I jis knows it” (92)! Jim is always worried for Huck’s safety, he always knows how to ease tension with Huck. Getting ready to turn in Jim, Huck instead said, “He’s white” (93). Instead of saying he was black and telling the two men where Jim was, Huck proves his loyalty to Jim by not ratting him out. Huck had escaped the feuds and Jim is away from the swamp, Huck explained, “I hadn’t had a bite to eat since yesterday; so Jim he got out some corn-dodgers and buttermilk, and pork and cabbage, and greens- there ain’t nothing in the world so good, when it’s cooked right- and whilst I eat my supper we talked, and had a good time” (119).

Even though it may be a simple meal, it is a comfort for them both, they both talked and grew closer. At night Jim and Huck take turns on watch at night, Huck said, “I went to sleep, and Jim didn’t call me when it was my turn. He often done that (157). Jim is a protective friend and this shows how selfless he is to let Huck sleep longer, he put Huck’s needs in front of his own. Huch was holding a paper of Jim’s whereabouts and he tore it up, Huck said to himself, “All right, then, I’ll go to hell’ – and tore it up” (217). Huck is willing to risk his life to save his Jim’s life, he is doing the ultimate sacrifice. Throughout the story, Huck and Jim’s friendship progresses into an even better relationship. They grew together through their hardships, overcoming their problems only made them stronger together. Jim and Huck’s friendship is something the world should strive to obtain.