Chapters 11-13

This forum is for the discussion of Huckleberry Finn, Chapter 11-13.

Huck and jim continue t float down the river, going ashore ocassionally to get food from peoples gardens and other things they might need. The call this borrowing and decide they won't take persimmons and crabapples to assuage thier guilt for stealing. They see a river boat that has wrecked in the middle of the river. It's partly submerged. Huck wants to go look at it and see if there is anything worth taking. Jim is not excited about that. When they get there, Huck is surprised to see other robbers are already aboard and arguing amongst themselves. Huck decides to leave them only to find their raft has floated away and he and jim must take the robbers boat. the riverboat is soon to sink and Huck feels bad that all three robbers will drown. He makes an effort to get to land and tell someone by way of trickery to get out and check on the riverboat. It is probably too late for the robbers though as he is telling about the 'family' trapped on the the boat he see pieces of it floating by.

Chapters 11-13:

Huck is clearly 'in charge' of the duo, even though he is only a child. He often makes decisions that are foolish and childlike, often trying to think like Tom Sawyer. Jim goes along with him even though he knows it isn't a good idea, possibly because of the time he has spent as a slave and the behaviors that have been engrained in him related to that position.

The two often are at odds with themselves, trying to survive on the run and behaving ethically. We have seen them make a deal not to steal certain foods (as Karen mentions) and they send help back for the murderers, to help ease their concience.

This goes to show you that there is good in everyone.

I think huck is in charge because Jim is deferring to the white person as he would have always done as a slave. Huck would not expect for Jim to take charge.