James: Character List

Jim/James

A Black man who aspires to escape slavery and rescue his wife and daughter. As the novel’s protagonist, Jim’s journey enables him to develop his sense of self and reclaim his voice. He is kindhearted and gentle, but he also possesses an unyielding strength which he uses to defend himself, his loved ones, and his community at large. These moments of empowerment give Everett’s depiction of Jim far more agency than Twain’s original character in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a choice which allows for a more nuanced exploration of the Black experience in nineteenth-century America.

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Huck

A young, adventurous boy who accompanies Jim throughout much of his journey to save his family. Huck may not initially understand who Jim truly is or why he is so desperate to escape, but over time, he begins to see through the racist lies that white society has perpetuated for centuries. Declaring Jim his friend, he remains steadfastly by his side whenever he can and does his best to keep him safe. Everett’s depiction of Huck shares some similarities with Twain’s original character, such as his energetic and independent spirit, but the layers he adds to Huck’s relationship with Jim allow his moral quandaries to shine through.

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Sadie

Jim’s wife. Sadie and her daughter, Lizzie, stay behind in Hannibal when Jim initially runs away, but Miss Watson eventually sells them to the Graham farm. She loves Jim deeply and cannot bear being separated from him, making their reunion all the more rewarding. Although Sadie’s appearances are sparse, she nevertheless plays a key role in the novel by serving as Jim’s primary source of motivation.

Lizzie

Jim’s young daughter. At nine years old, her identity as a figure of innocence is constantly at risk as she navigates life as a slave. Being separated from Jim, Lizzie’s primary source of protection, further exacerbates the dangers she faces. Jim sees Lizzie in many of the women he meets throughout his journey, and witnessing their struggles further strengthens his resolve to rescue his daughter from slavery at all costs.

Norman

A Black man passing as white who performs as a member of the Virginia Minstrels. Norman and Jim become friends when he joins the group as they find comfort in knowing that someone else understands their struggle. Although Jim’s paranoia causes him to doubt him on occasion, Norman proves himself to be an honest and loyal man.

The Duke

A young conman who claims to be the Duke of Bridgewater. On the run for selling defective toothpaste, the Duke comes together with the King to take advantage of Jim and Huck. He is greed personified, and he is the primary instigator for all of the attempted schemes that they pursue while Jim and Huck are with them.

The King

An older conman who claims to be the former Dauphin, or the rightful King of France. He is on the run because a woman caught him drinking alcohol after preaching temperance at a revival. In his partnership with the Duke, the King functions as a supporting character, but his attempts to contribute to the schemes often fail.

Daniel Decatur Emmett

The leader of the Virginia Minstrels. Historically, Emmett is known for founding the first troupe of minstrel performers, who would put on shows in blackface to entertain white audiences. In the context of the novel, Emmett presents himself as a progressive man, offering Jim a job with his all-white performance company and speaking politely to him. As welcoming as he thinks he is, however, his mockery of African Americans through minstrel shows and his refusal to let Jim out of his contract early suggests that he is not actually interested in challenging slavery.

Young George

A Black man who brings Jim a pencil stolen from his master. Jim meets Young George and the rest of his group in Illinois after being separated from Huck. Willing to be of service, he risks, and ultimately sacrifices, his life for Jim because he understands the importance of uplifting oppressed voices. Young George’s actions and words of advice significantly impact Jim’s journey to reclaim his identity.

Miss Watson

Jim’s enslaver and one of Huck’s caregivers. Although Miss Watson does not physically abuse her slaves, the fact that she has no reservations about owning human beings makes her an unwittingly cruel character. Her dismissive behavior indicates that she views Jim and his family as less than human, but she manages to disguise these beliefs with her pleasant disposition. Miss Watson’s one redeeming quality is that she seems to genuinely care about Huck’s safety when his abusive father returns to town.

Judge Thatcher

The local judge in Hannibal and one of Huck’s guardians. Although Judge Thatcher does not play a direct role in the novel until the final section, he has a significant impact on Jim’s life as Jim often sneaks into his library to read. This empowering space serves as the backdrop for the scene in which Jim confronts Judge Thatcher, revealing that he too harbors deeply racist biases. Through Judge Thatcher’s character, Everett highlights the hypocrisies and failings of the American justice system.

Tom Sawyer

A friend of Huck’s, and the ringleader of their friend group. Partial to adventure and practical jokes, Tom views Jim as little more than a toy, something to play with as part of the games he enjoys with Huck.

Pap Finn

The man people believe to be Huck’s father. An abusive alcoholic who openly detests Huck, possibly because he knows Huck’s true parentage, Pap’s return to town at the start of the text worries those who care for Huck, and prompts Huck to fake his own death and run away.

Hopkins

The overseer at Miss Watson’s. Jim witnesses Hopkins’s brutality firsthand when he returns to Hannibal, and these actions are what ultimately inspire Jim to act on his feelings of anger and defiance. Hopkins’s death marks a key turning point in Jim’s character development, highlighting his newfound sense of agency.

Easter

An older slave working at the livery under the direction of Mr. Wiley. The change of attitude he displays once the Duke and the King leave for the night highlights his compassionate character. He quickly becomes an ally for Jim despite barely knowing him, unshackling him despite the wrath he will face for disobeying orders from white men. This choice and the resulting consequences inadvertently facilitate the eventual meeting between Jim and the Virginia Minstrels.

Mr. Wiley

Easter’s owner and the head of the livery. He does not shy away from treating Easter and Jim like commodities, especially when arguing with the Duke over the lashing he gave Easter. For Mr. Wiley, efficiency and profits are of the utmost importance. His willingness to sell Jim to Emmett mere hours after taking him from the Duke and the King reinforces his detached personality.

Henderson

The owner of a sawmill in Bluebird Hole. Once he buys Jim from Norman, Henderson wastes no time in asserting his dominance and lashes him until he passes out. This brutal behavior, along with his reputation for raping young girls like Sammy, makes Henderson a prime example of the despicable masters that many slaves fear.

Brock

The slave who works in the boiler room of the riverboat that explodes. Described as wiry and crazy, Brock is highly suspicious of Jim and Norman when they first arrive on board and clearly has no desire to challenge the status quo when it comes to race and power. His frequent references to “Massa Corey” emphasize his devotion to his role in the social hierarchy.

Sammy

A fifteen-year-old Black girl Jim meets at Henderson’s sawmill. She reminds him of his daughter, and he helps her to escape Henderson with him.

Polly

A young and naïve white woman who approaches Jim after his performance with the Virginia Minstrels. Not knowing Jim’s true racial identity, she tries to flirt with him until her father puts a stop to it.

Polly’s Father

A large white man who takes a particular interest in the texture of Jim’s hair. After reminding his daughter not to flirt with men in show business, Polly’s father, who initially accepts the ruse that Jim is a white man in blackface, comments on the realistic nature of his hair and becomes suspicious. His later appearance at the minstrel group’s camp highlights the danger that Jim is in as a member of the group, eventually prompting him to flee.

Cotton and Katie

A married Black couple. Enslaved by Miss Watson, they occupy Jim’s house after Jim runs away and Sadie and Lizzie are sold.

Doris

A slave at Miss Watson’s plantation.

Voltaire

A French Enlightenment writer and philosopher. In a fit of delirium, Jim dreams he’s having a conversation with Voltaire after he gets bit by the rattlesnake, during which Jim challenges his views.

John Locke

An English Enlightenment philosopher. Jim dreams about John Locke multiple times throughout his journey. In his imagined conversations, he challenges the hypocrisy inherent in Locke’s philosophy.

Cunégonde

A character from Candide (full title Candide: or, the Optimist), a work of satire written by the French writer Voltaire and published in 1759.

Frank McHart

A constable, schoolteacher, postmaster, and egg seller from Bluebird Hole. He declines Norman’s offer to buy Jim and directs the two men to Henderson instead.

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James

Percival Everett

James Character List