James Part Three, Chapters 1–4 Summary & Analysis

Summary: Part Three, Chapters 1–4

Part Three, Chapter 1

Jim pulls Huck to shore and tells him that they must hide in the woods. Huck wants to help the people on shore, but Jim emphasizes that they are in danger of being caught. In his slave voice, Jim asks Huck how he ended up on the boat, and he reveals that the Duke and the King were headed for Ohio. Huck goes on to question why Jim saved him instead of Norman, leading Jim to admit that he is Huck’s real father. The next morning, Huck has a seemingly endless list of questions for Jim, including whether or not Pap knew and if that makes him Black. He is hurt by the idea that Jim has lied to him his whole life and falls asleep. Meanwhile, all Jim can think about is Norman’s death. Huck, who attempts to adopt a slave dialect, eventually suggests that they keep moving, but this conversation turns into a discussion of his identity. He desperately wants to accompany Jim on his travels and becomes frustrated when he refuses, leading him to dismiss the idea that Jim is truly is father.

Part Three, Chapter 2

Jim knows that without a white person to justify his presence, any traveling he does will have to occur under the cover of the woods. He peeks out from his hiding place, and down the shore, he spots Emmett’s brown notebook. Not thinking, Jim begins walking out in the open toward it. A number of white people see him and cry out, including Emmett who exclaims that he is being robbed. Given how exhausted they are from the shipwreck, however, they struggle to chase after Jim as he runs away. When he finally stops to rest, he discovers that Huck has followed him the entire time. Jim continues to explain that separating will be the safest option, but Huck refuses to abandon Jim after he saved his life. Finally giving in, Jim allows Huck to come with him as he walks along the river.

Part Three, Chapter 3

Unable to find any trotlines to steal from, Jim decides to try to catch a catfish on his own. Huck gives him advice, although success seems unlikely. All of a sudden, a fish finally grabs onto Jim’s wrist, but it is so strong that it pulls him completely under the water. He believes he is drowning and pictures the faces of friends and family in his mind. John Locke also reappears, challenging him about slavery and war. These visions give way to the blue sky, however, as Jim resurfaces and drags the fish to shore. Huck is overjoyed by the large fish, underscoring his youth, and Jim comes to realize that he shared the truth about his relationship with Huck so that his child could choose his identity.

Part Three, Chapter 4

After eating their fish, Jim and Huck resume their journey in the dark. Jim fears traveling too close to the river, so they decide to rest until the morning and then head inland. They come upon a north-south trail and discover a group of soldiers dressed in blue jackets marching along. Huck is intrigued by them, wondering which side they are on and where they are headed. He wants to follow them, but Jim urges him to go back to Miss Watson and Judge Thatcher. Huck becomes defiant, emphasizing that he should travel alongside Jim, Sadie, and Lizzie when they flee. All Jim can do is explain that he wants Huck to stay safe as they continue their trek along the river.

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