The Growth of a Father-Son Relationship:"When you fish for love, bait with your heart, not your brain." A weaken relationship with one paves way for a new and stronger relationship with another.
By fathers&sons
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Pap Comes to Town
"I used to be scared of him all the time, he tanned me so much. I reckoned I was scared now, too..." (Twain 18). Because Huck already feared his dad, their father-son relationship was strained. -
Court for Custody of Huck
"...he went to Judge Thatcher's...tried to make him give up the money...he swore he'd make the law force him." (Twain 21). Huck's father reveals that the only reason why wants custody of Huck is because of money. -
Huck's Great Escape
"He got to going away so much, too, and locking me in...I was scared. I made up my mind I would fix up some way to leave there." (Twain 24). Huck escapes the wrath of his dad. Huck's desire to leave shows the weak relationship he has with his dad. -
Jim protects Huck from seeing a Dead Pap
"I reck'n he's ben dead two er three days. Come in, Huck, but doan' look at his face--it's too gashly." (Twain 50). Jim wishes to protect Huck from the sight of his deceased father. This shows that Jim is protective of Huck. -
Trauma on the River
"....my heart wuz mos' broke bekase you wuz los', en I didn' k'yer no mo' what become er me en de raf'." (Twain 86). Huck played a trick on Jim for kicks and Jim felt hurt and ashamed for his feelings for Huck. It is during this event that Jim's love for Huck is admitted to the boy after their separation within the fog. -
Huck lies for Jim
"Pap'll be mighty much obleeged to you, I can tell you. Everybody goes away when I want them to help me tow the raft ashore, and I can't do it myself." (Twain 91)
When Huck lies to the men about Jim to protect him from being found out, it shows how he begins to care for him. It should also be noted that Huck says it is his father on board. -
Huck Tears Up Letter
"'Alright, then, I'll go to hell'- and tore it (the letter) up." (Twain 215). Throughout the story, as if he was a father figure, Jim looks out for Huck. During this event, it is realized that Huck cares for Jim in the same way a son would care for his father. Huck is even willing to go to Hell for Jim.
