Jim’s most important quality, however, is his “gullible” nature. As the novel progresses, this nature reveals itself as complete faith and trust in his friends, especially Huck. The one trait that does not fluctuate throughout the novel is Jim’s belief in Huck. After Huck makes up a story to preserve Jim’s freedom in Chapter 16, Jim remarks that he will never forget Huck’s kindness. Jim’s love for Huck, however, extends past their friendship to the relationship of parent and child. When Huck and Jim come upon the dead man on the floating house, Jim warns Huck not to look at the man’s face. The gesture is kind, but when readers learn later that the man was Pap Finn, they realize the affection Jim has for Huck. Jim does not want Huck to suffer through the pain of seeing his dead father, and this moment establishes Jim as a father figure to Huck.
Jim’s actions, no doubt, are partly a result of his inability to distance himself from the society in which he has been conditioned. His existence has been permeated by social and legal laws that require him to place another race above his own, regardless of the consequences. But as with Huck, Jim is willing to sacrifice his life for his friends. There are countless opportunities for Jim to leave Huck during the tale, yet he remains by Huck’s side so the two of them can escape together. When Huck and Jim become separated in the fog, Jim tells Huck that his “heart wuz mos’ broke bekase you wuz los’, en I didn’ k’yer no mo’ what bcome er me en de raf’.” Jim’s freedom, then, is not worth the price of Huck’s life, and readers are constantly reminded that Jim would readily risk his own life to aid Huck. When Huck is taken in by the Shepherdsons, Jim waits in the swamp and devises a plan where both of them can continue down the river. Moreover, when Jim has the chance to be free at the end of the novel, he stays by Tom Sawyer’s side, another example of his loyalty. Jim’s logic, compassion, intelligence, and above all, his loyalty toward Huck, Tom, and his own family, establish him as a heroic figure.
