Analysis of 'The adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by M.Twain part4

Chapter 16

Jim & Huck worry that they will miss Cairo, the town at the Ohio River, which runs into the free states. Huck's conscience bothers him about helping Jim escape from Miss Watson. Jim talks about going to the free states; especially about his plan to earn money to buy the freedom of his wife and children. When Huck & Jim think they see Cairo, Huck puts off to check, having secretly resolved to give Jim up. But Huck's heart softens when he hears Jim call out that he's his only friend.

Huck comes upon some men in a boat who want to search his raft for escaped slaves. Huck pretends to be grateful, until they leave Huck forty dollars in gold. Huck & Jim pass several towns and worry that they have passed Cairo in the fog. The next morning, their canoe has been stolen.

Chapter 31

Huck & Jim travel several shakers on various towns, without success. Arrived in a town, they get into a fight at a tavern, and Huck takes the chance to escape, but there is no sign of Jim. One man who captured Jim sold his interest in the captured runaway for forty dollars to a farmer. Huck discovers that it was the dauphin who captured Jim, and he decides to write to Tom Sawyer, to tell Miss Watson where Jim's been. He worries about helping a slave; could also be God's punishment for the sin of helping him. He goes to S. Phelps, the farmer who is holding Jim. He met the Duke, who reveals Jim ran away, but then changes his story and says he sold Jim to a new forty miles away.

Chapter 32

With only first in Providence to help him free his friend, Huck finds the Phelps' house. The white mistress of the house, Sally, comes outside, delighted to see Huck because she's certain he's her nephew, Tom. Huck isn't sure he will be able to keep up the charade as Tom. When Sally's husband, Silas, returns home with enthusiastic greetings, it reveals to Huck that Sally and Silas are the aunt and uncle of none other than Tom Sawyer, Huck's best friend.

Chapter 33

Huck meets Tom's wagon coming down the road. Tom initially believes he sees a ghost - believing that Huck was murdered in St. Petersburg. Tom even agrees to help him to free Jim. Tom follows Huck to the Phelps house. Tom introduces himself as William Thompson from Ohio; they wait for Sally and Silas to mention the runaway slave, but the adults say nothing that night. Huck and Tom sneak out of the house. They see a mob of people running the duke and the dauphin. Huck tells Tom that a conscience is useless because it makes you feel bad no matter what you do. Tom agrees.