Introduction

Huck, Jim and Tom are American immortals. They resonate in the popular culture and, at the same time, provoke the continual concern and interest of intellectuals in the academic community. When the book was first published, and for years thereafter, many critics complained about the baleful influence the delinquent Huck, with his use of bad language, and skepticism about religion, would have on good God fearing American White boys. They did not sufficiently focus on the issue of race raised by the book.

In recent decades many scholars and educators have severely criticized the book as a bigoted tract that portrays a subservient Jim and repetitively uses the N word. This book answers those more recent concerns. It demonstrates the toughness and humanity of Jim. Professor Wolfson points out how Jim educates Huck and treats him with love. He sets forth the ways in which Jim's fundamental humanity awakens Huck to the degradation of his surroundings and leads him to the famous Chapter where Huck resolves to go to hell rather than betray Jim.