Character List and Information:
Twain’s characters are fairly complex and believable
for the time the book was written. They are given feelings and emotions
and have a measure of dimension. However, at times they seem to be less
characters and more just a means to convey some of Twain’s ideas.
Huck Finn - Huck is a young boy in his adolescence.
He is gullible, shrewd, and compassionate. During the different parts of
the story, he appears differently. While living with Widow Douglas, he dressed
nicely but lost this appearance after he went out on the river where he
became less concerned with appearance and clothes. He shows a lot of compassion
in the story. This is apparent in his dealings with Jim, the Wilks, and
even with the duke and king. His function in the story is as the narrator.
“... people will call me a low down abolitionist and despise me for
keeping mum...”
Jim - Jim is a middle aged slave owned by Widow Douglass
who ran away near the beginning of the book. He is fatherly, protective,
and unselfish. His clothes are tattered and his appearance is not very good
since he is a runaway slave without many clothes. He is kind to Huck and
acts as a father to him during the trip down the river. His purpose is to
gauge the growth of Huck and to cause him to see slaves as people. “...
[Jim] would steal his children -- children that belonged to a man ... a
man that hadn’t ever done me no harm.”
Tom Sawyer - Tom is a friend of Huck. He is a little
older than Huck. He is irresponsible, playful, and crude. His appearance
is typical of the southern boy. He has the personality of a constant adventurer,
and one that is typical of a young boy that always want to play and pretend.
He does things for the sake of adventure and hardly thinks of practicality.
His purpose is to contrast to Huck’s reasonability and cause the attempt
to rescue Jim at the end of the book. Also contrasting with Huck is that
he lives in society and enjoys it. Tom warns the Phelps that a “desperate
gang of cutthroats from over in the Ingean Territory” is going to steal
Jim that night when it was actually he that was going to steal Jim.
Huck's father- An abusive, drunk old man who is using
Huck for his money and advantages. The Duke and The the King- A devious
duo who are corrupt and cause trouble. They meet up with Jim and Huck on
the raft and scam cities out of money.
Miss Watson- Foster mother who tried to civilize Huck,
owner of Jim.
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