The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one of the most popular and loved novel in American literature is written by Samuel

Langhorne Clemens, who is better known by his pen name Mark Twain. It tells the story of a boy named Huckleberry Finn traveling down the Mississippi River with a runaway slave called Jim. In the story, Jim in my opinion possesses the true traits of a real hero. Twain characterizes Jim as having a compassionate heart, by portraying a fatherly figure to Huck. Twain shows that Jim is a known hero with bravery, by describing how he risked his life to escape slavery. Finally, Twain defines that Jim is a character of value and self worth, by emphasizing that black slaves are not different. Twain describes Jim as being a compassionate figure, acting as a father to Huck and providing for Hucks physical, emotional and moral being needs. Jim passively protects Huck, and he provides food and shelter for Huck, constantly cooking meals for Huck. Even though Jim status is a black slave and his ability to protect Huck is limited, he tries to protect Huck the best he can. Jim contributes physical affection and friendship for Huck; he acts as a role model to Huck teaching him many valuable lessons along the way of their journey. Huck is unruly and is still an immature teenage boy, not possessing the main quality of a hero which is One idealized or held in esteem for superior qualities or deeds of any kind. From the beginning of the story, Jim already acts as Hucks voluntary protector; Huck knows he can rely on Jim any time. The first time we discover Jims compassion is when Huck and Jim finds a boat floating down the river and they find a man in the corner lying down. Jim inspects the men and informs Huck he is dead, however, Jim does not mention the fact that the dead man is Hucks father. Its a dead man. Yes, indeed; naked, too. Hes been shot in de back. I reckn hes been dead two er three days. Come in, Huck, but doan looks at his face-its too gashly. (Twain 60) Jim role is of great importance because it emphasizes the fact that Jim is the true hero of the story, rather than just an ordinary black slave without any significance. He is "the true visionary center of the novel". If the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn didnt include Jim, then this novel would just be a simply story without representing humanity. Next, he shows that Jim is a man of great bravery, seeing as how he fought for freedom. When Huck and Tom were in the action of in freeing Jim from his new owners at the Phelps farm, during the escape Tom accidentally got shot. Even though Tom urged Huck and Jim to leave, Jim refused to go until he could see he friend receive medical attention, even

though it might lead him to be captured again. Ef it wuz him dat uz bein free, en one er de boys wuz to git shot, would he saw, Go on en save me, nemmine bout a doctorfr to save dis one? Well, den, is Jim gwyne to say it? No, sah-I doan budge a step outn dis place,dout a doctor; not if its forty year! (Twain 290) Jim is a man who would rather sacrifice his life and freedom for a friend, showing that he has strong values and love towards his friends. Through Jims actions and simple words, he was successful in changing how people saw blacks, erasing the stereotypes often placed on their identities. We should take advice from this loyal man, one who truly understands the meaning of life and freedom. Most importantly, Twain defines that Jim is a man of value and self worth and that having a black skin color does not mean they could be treated differently. Jim shows that slaves are like any other human being. Jim once shared with Huck that he remembered abusing he daughter once and how he highly regretted his actions leading to his sadness, he always mentions how he misses his family. En wid dat I fetch her a slap side de head dat sont her a-sprawlin. (Twain 168) Just because slaves have a different skin color, their feelings and emotions for their loved ones are no different than whites. Po little Lizabeth! Po little Johnny! Its might hard; I spec I aint ever gwyne to see you no mo! ( Twain 167) Ever since he became taken into custody and sold to Mrs.Watson, Jim has quickly accepted his new identity as a slave. This hero knows he is a slave in society and he has to remain disciplined and faithful. In conclusion, Jim portrays all these qualities and therefore making him the true hero of this novel. He has a compassionate heart by always putting his friends and loved ones first. He is a very brave man and he never gives up until he succeeds in accomplishing his goal which is freedom, and lastly he accepts his identity as a slave but he fought for change of how people saw him. Jim is "the true visionary center of the novel". If the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn didnt include Jim, then this novel would just be a simply story without representing humanity.