The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn | Chapter 35 | Summary

Summary

Tom is disappointed that freeing Jim has so few challenges. He wants to do things just like they do in the books he reads, so he creates challenges and schemes such as smuggling in rope and a shirt and having Jim scratch secret code on the plates he's given for his meals. Huck questions Tom's schemes, but Tom defends them and says this is the way it has to be done. He calls Huck ignorant for not knowing the schemes. All Huck is concerned about is Jim getting free.

Analysis

Tom and Huck are opposites. Tom is a showman and is interested in drama. His interest in freeing Jim stems from his desire for adventure. Huck is a practical person and just wants to handle things and move on. He has a tangible goal.

Huck has matured and grown since he and Tom last spent time together. In Chapter 2 Huck joins Tom Sawyer's gang but leaves in Chapter 3 when he realizes it is just pretend. One can imagine Huck would want to leave this venture as well, but he needs Tom this time. They are at Tom's aunt and uncle's house, and Jim's freedom is at stake. So Huck will have to work with Tom's plans even though they are excessive and unnecessary.