Isabelle: A key scene from this section is the very first scene in Chapter 1, where Tom and Huckleberry are messing with Jim. From the start, we see that Huck is more hesitant to do the mischievous things Tom boldly does, such as stealing candles or hanging Jim's hat on a hook. It also shows Huck's empathy and consideration for Jim when he asks "What if'n they blame Jim for that?" after Tom steals Miss Watson's candles.

Annette: Jim's conversation with Voltaire contextualizes his experiences within a larger history of racist philosophy. Voltaire tells him that the circumstances of his birth made him less perfect than his European counterparts, but that he has potential for equality. Jim's venom-induced delusions reveal that he is very well-read, but his answers to Voltaire without code-switching are only possible in Jim's dreams. When Jim writes his first words some scenes later, they define his identity without reliance on existing eurocentric structures, going directly against Voltaire's implication that he should aspire to be European and perfect.

Megan: A key scene in this section is when Huck sees that Jim's skin color isn't any darker than his own. This touches on the idea that the beginning of slavery did not originate from racism; rather, racism was able to further develop because of slavery. This sets up the whole premise of hypocrisy and what freedom really means as it breaks free from the societal assumption and delves into an underrated topic.

Avani: "'Being a slave, you got to do whatever your owner say to do?'" This quote is said by Huck to Jim in Chapter 5, and it is significant because it demonstrates how racism or feelings of superiority are taught, not innate. Huck is a White boy, but it is clear from how he talks to Huck that he doesn't really understand the rationale behind slavery, which defies the whole premise of the institution, which is that it is "natural" for African-Americans to be inferior. I think this quote highlighted the innocence of Huck, and how he has not yet been indoctrinated to believing in racism.

Annette: "You gots to look past the speckles." This quote from Chapter 1 during Jim and Huck's exchange about the robin's-egg-blue sky seems significant. An obvious reading could be that the brown speckles on eggs are parallel to melanated skin tones, and that one must look past such superficial differences. This early exchange also demonstrates how Jim hides his wisdom in code-switching and establishes his relationship with Huck.

Megan: "If enough of them kill you, they’re innocent." This quote is said by Luke to Jim in Chapter 2 and it is my favorite quote in this section because it stimulates an unsettling feeling that disturbs the ignorant and depicts the actual events and inhumanity of slavery. The enslaved were greatly considered inferior and were "minor" lives in comparison to white people and this quote also brings attention to the societal construct of how the majority rules.

Avani: How does the difference between Tom Sawyer's and Huck Finn's life story affect they way they each treat Jim?

Megan: How did Jim learn to read? It's never explicitly said how exactly Jim learned the logistics of reading.

Annette: performance; Jim is constantly playing to white people's expectations of what he should be and how he should behave. Though he is wise and eloquent, he's forced to behave in a caricature of himself. He makes up ridiculous things to say when Tom and Huck eavesdrop on him and his family, and he intentionally speaks in the style expected of him when in the presence of white people. Jim hides his personality for self-preservation.

Megan: Identity; Jim is rather complex in the way where he is well aware of his situation and finds solace in the idea of fitting into the box mapped out by the societal norms instead of trying to push against the expectations. On the other hand, Huck almost defies his own external identity and unintentionally pushes on the seams of the typical as he feels more comfortable with Jim than with other white people even though he himself is white.

Avani: The power in choice is a major theme in these chapters of the book, as we are introduced to how all of the enslaved people deliberately hide their identities, which goes against what the enslavers think that they are capable of. Although the masters are the ones who have more power, the enslaved people are still able to hold onto some power in the choices that they make. This is a powerful theme because it shows how they can still find ways to defy and adapt in their situations.

Avani: An important scene from these chapters was when James is able to write for the first time. The very act of writing is extremely dangerous for him, not only because he is not supposed to be able to write as an enslaved person, but also because the pencil he is writing with is stolen; however, by doing so he continues to claim ownership over his actions and abilities. He says that he "wrote [himself] into being," which is very significant as he ties the ability to write deeply to his sense of self.

Annette: Jim's acquisition of books from the boat in chapter 10 is an empowering moment in this part of the book. Jim reads his first novel ever, Voltaire's Candide, and reads as a form of escapism. Jim has interacted with an imaginary Voltaire in previous chapters, but reading more gives him more to think about. Jim uses what he reads to form judgements on topics like the Bible, explored in chapter 15, where Jim says that although he "appreciated Voltaire’s notion of tolerance regarding religious difference" and was "interested [not] in the content of the work, but its structure, the movement of it, the calling out of logical fallacies." Jim's literacy gives him intellectual agency.

Isabelle: A key scene from this section is when Jim reunites with Huck and forgets to code-switch back to "slave-talk." Huck said Jim "didn't sound like no slave," proving Jim's theory that it's necessary for slaves to talk a certain way to keep white people feeling safe and in control. However, when asked, "How do a slave sound?" Huck is at a loss to explain the discomfort of hearing Jim speak properly.

Avani: "'Tell the story with your ears. Listen.'" This is something that Young George tells James when they are talking about how James wants to write. By saying this, Young George is advising James to tell the world about what is going on around them, which is powerful because writing about his experiences would serve as extremely important documentation. It also, once again, goes against what the expectation for slaves at the time was, which is that they would be too dumb to comprehend anything that happens around them.

Annette: "I could not enter [the society that the Bible is for], did not want to enter it, and then understood that I recognized it as a tool of my enemy. I chose the word enemy, and still do, as oppressor necessarily supposes a victim." Jim concludes that both formal literature and collective narratives (like religious ones) are tools to keep dissidents from acting. His specification that he is not a victim of but an opponent to an existing white supremacist power structure speaks to his desire for self-determination and strong-minded character.

Isabelle: "'Don't every man got a right to be free?'" This quote is said by Huck to Jim in Chapter 11, and it displays his compassion and maturity. Compared to Tom, his perception of the world is much more open-minded. Although he still exhibits prejudicial behavior, such as expecting Jim to speak a certain way and using the n-slur, he is slowly establishing his morals and distinguishing right from wrong.

Megan: Does Jim find Huck again at some point?

Avani: How did James get access to and learn about philosophers like Voltaire?

Annette: How does Huck feel toward Jim?

Avani: A theme that is especially prominent in these chapters is trust. James is initially afraid of meeting new people due to his status as a runaway, but Old and Young George, and everyone else who lets him stay in the house take care of him, which is very important to his survival. This allows James to know that there are people that he can rely on.

Annette: community; In the chapters 14-16, Jim meets other slaves, and they help him acquire what he needs to continue on his journey, to much personal sacrifice in the case of Young George. Jim's experience seems to reflect a larger appreciation for such sacrifices for the sake of a greater mission, which are necessary for any major social movements.

Isabelle: Guilt; In these chapters, Jim is separated from Huck twice. Both times, Jim feels guilty for being relieved that he has gotten rid of Huck. However, this is compensated with constant worry due to a sense of responsibility towards Huck. Additionally, when Young George is whipped for stealing the pencil for Jim, Jim and the other slaves feel "sympathetic suffering." Although not expressly mentioned, I'm sure Jim feels guilty for being the cause of Young George's suffering.

Avani: A key scene from this section is when Huck and James talk about James knowing Huck's mom. During this scene, Huck once again displays a sense of innocence as he questions why James is not able to say whether Huck's mother is "pretty." We are again reminded of how racist ideologies are learned, not innate, as Huck displays confusion at the idea of African-American men being viewed as "dangerous."

Megan: A key scene from this section is when Jim dreams once again about a philosopher but this time, John Locke. Jim questions Locke's morals and standings on his own ideals and calls Locke out on his hypocrisy and flawed views on slavery. However, their interaction seemed rather witty or at least on Locke's end, banter like. This section just goes to show the complexity of the different views on slavery and the idea that the whole institution was not linear but rather a contradiction of ideologies.

Annette: A key scene from this section is when the Duke and the King ask Huck about his relationship with Jim, and Huck reluctantly agrees that Jim is his slave. Though Jim's narration specifies that this clearly makes Huck uncomfortable, this moment demonstrates how Huck, too, is forced to comply with the norms of his time.

Isabelle: "'Dey takes the lies dey want and throws away the truths dat scares ’em.'" Jim says this in reference to the townspeople the Duke and the King conned, and Huck follows up by acknowledging he does the same. I chose this quote because it represents many of the book's recurring themes, such as white people choosing to believe what slaves should sound like and wanting slaves to believe in Christianity. Although not encompassed in this quote, it also shows Huck's maturity and humility; he is not afraid to admit his mistakes.

Megan: “You don’t carry yerself like you rich enough to own a human being.” King says this to Duke and this triggers a thought within readers that to a certain extent white people in the Antebellum era did view slaves as people. However, they dismissed it with racism. This quote also shows the hierarchy within the whole society in this time period and that mainly the more well off white people were able to afford slaves.

Annette: "I understand why you talk the way you do... I mean it makes sense." Huck sees the world differently from most white people in the book, and he expresses this to Jim when he recognizes Jim's code-switching. This quote shows Huck's wisdom and empathy despite his youth; he's able to understand Jim's situation and understand why he behaves as he does.

Megan: Why do you think the Duke and the King refer to themselves as royalty/noblemen?

Isabelle: Will Easter be caught and punished for allowing Jim sleep without being chained?

Annette: What does the steamboat on fire at the end of ch.21 represent (if it represents anything at all)? Why did the author choose to include this image, and why did Jim recount it in his narration?

Avani: A theme that is prominent in these chapters is "Trust." James and Huck are betrayed by the "Duke" and "King" as the two men decide to use the new knowledge that James is a runaway to their advantage. This causes James and Huck to confront the idea that they are not able to trust others that they meet. When they meet Easter in Chapter 24, the theme comes up again, as Huck realizes that James and Easter talk differently to each other, so there is still a bit of a gap in trust between James and Huck.

Megan: A consistent theme within this section is "Contradiction". Throughout the section the there is a repeated idea brought up which is the contradiction of slavery as an institution. While the King and the Duke are very much conscious of slaves being human beings, the society they live in still regarded them as less than and something meant to be owned. Along with that morals and the idea of hypocrisy within the ideology of slavery is rather prominent especially during Jim and his talk with Locke. Along with this, the whole idea of Easter being a blacksmith yet he is entrusted to hold Huck and Jim hostage is rather ironic as he could easily free them by crafting keys.

Annette: Deception/Performance. The King and Duke play layers of characters to deceive audiences and each other. The seasoned liars are neither royalty nor christians, but they certainly are able to perform their falsehoods in front of the congregation in ch. 21. But where the King and the Duke don't suffer much for their lies, Jim and other black people in the story are constantly playing a higher-stakes game of deception simply by existing outside of the white-centric worldview that defines their societies.

Isabelle: A key scene from this section was the interaction between Emmett and Wiley. Throughout the entire transaction, Jim highlights that he was never consulted or considered, thus emphasizing his status as mere livestock. Furthermore, the concept of hiring a slave was entirely novel to Jim, as he has never considered he could work for reimbursement. Lastly, at the end of the transaction, Jim experiences his first handshake with a white man, marking the first of many oddities he will experience with the troupe.

Annette: One key scene was the entire bizarre scene of Jim playing a white man playing a black man. The absurdity of the moment emphasized the shallowness of race distinctions the rules that control the lives Jim and his black brethren.

Avani: A key scene from this portion of the book was when Polly's father tries to find out if James is really a Black man by sneaking into the tent. This felt like an important scene because it showcases how many people felt that they had no restrictions or boundaries when it comes to invading a Black person's privacy.

Isabelle: "A man who refused to own slaves but was not opposed to others owning slaves was still a slaver, to my thinking." Here, Jim touches on the complicated definitions of an abolitionist and someone who did not own slaves. Although Emmett claims the entire troupe was against slavery and he does not own slaves, he is not free from blame because he does not actively encourage others to do the same. Furthermore, the fickleness of the troupe's beliefs is seen when Jim asks Big Mike in Chapter 32 if he does not believe in slavery, and he responds "Who else gonna do the work?" This quote also connects to the scene in Beloved in which Denver finds an offensive statuette in the Bodwins' house even though they are self-proclaimed abolitionists.

Annette: "I looked at one woman who might have been intrigued by me or taken with me, the entertainer. I saw the surface of her, merely the outer shell, and realized that she was mere surface all the way to her core." While performing as a blackface minstrel, Jim realizes that the values of his audience have no depth. They are entertained by the performance but do not contemplate the horrific narrative that they witness, accept, and applaud. Jim's experience with the minstrel group shows him the hypocrisy and lack of awareness of the bystanders to his (people's) suffering.

Avani: "'None of these men own slaves, but they don't think we're like them.'" This was a significant quote because it shows how hypocritical people could be, as we begin to realize the injustice of James situation, even within the minstrel that claims not to support slavery. Throughout this whole section, we are beginning to realize how these people are not as good as they try to show, starting with the fact that they perform in Blackface and make fun of Black people in the first place. This quote sums up how although they are "less evil," it doesn't change the fact that they are still evil.

Megan: Why do the Minstrel group do what they do? Even though most of them do not hold much distaste for slaves...

Annette: I don't understand Polly's father and the hair-touching. What was his intention?

Avani: Why did the minstrel group not attempt to look for a White tenor, knowing that having James in their band would endanger them as well?

Isabelle: Trust; throughout this section, characters have to rely on trust to keep each other safe. Easter says Young George was hanged for stealing a pencil, but Jim trusts Easter enough to reveal he is currently in possession of the stolen pencil. Additionally, Norman reveals his true identity to Jim, trusting him not to leak him to the others. Finally, when Jim is repeatedly bothered by Polly's father, the troupe members work together to cover for Jim.

Annette: Hypocrisy; Emmett is a contradictory character who simultaneously declares his opposition to slavery and actively profits off of that institution. When Jim discusses his salary, Emmett says that he's owed 200 performances, or 199 performances (after the one that he did that evening). Though he condemns slavery orally, his actions do not follow through.

Avani: Identity; Although being in this minstrel group is supposed to be really good for James, it is soon realized that he does not get to enjoy the same liberties feeling free. He mentions how he has to balance between not showing the other members of the minstrel group how he can talk in an articulate manner and at the same time, seem articulate to the White people that approach him. He is constantly in conflict about how he can afford to act in such a dangerous situation, so his identity is further lost.

Annette: Jim's interactions with Luke depict a new dimension of slavery that add complexity to Jim's understanding of race dynamics in the American South. Luke accepts and even seems to welcome his status as Henderson's slave, saying both that he "likes to bully" and is "a good master" in the same conversation. Luke's character can symbolize the many slaves who became complicit in their oppression because of how ubiquitous the system was in their society.

Isabelle: All of the interactions with Brock show how deeply ingrained the fear of white people can be. Although Norman is filthy and disheveled, Brock still heeds his orders, albeit with some suspicion. Furthermore, he has never seen Master Corey, but insists on calling him massa, even when speaking normally. He does not question his duties and loses all sense of basic biological needs, such as sleeping, blindly following the commands of a bell.

Avani: An important scene is the first scene of Part 2, where James and Norman are devising a scheme to buy both of their families out of slavery. This scene demonstrates the lengths to which people would have to go to have the chance for freedom. It also develops a sense of trust between James and Norman--trust being a recurring theme in the novel--and sets Norman up to be a key character going forward.

Annette: (in response to Sammy asking Norman why he identifies as colored) "Because of my mother. Because of my wife. Because I don’t want to be white. I don’t want to be one of them." Norman directly opposes Luke with this belief—though he has the genetics to pass as white, he is aware of the injustices of slavery and he wants to address them. Luke, on the other hand, is not white-passing, but he accepts slavery and allows it to control his life. When Norman declares that he uses his identity to place him on the side of the oppressed, he also demonstrates his upright values that prioritize justice over personal comfort.

Isabelle: "We scratched and clawed open a hole in the world and placed little Sammy inside it." After Sammy is shot dead, Norman and Jim work furiously to create a grave for her. However, this quote goes beyond the grave and present situation. Slaves have never owned anything on this world, and the soil of America has given them nothing but pain. By digging into it and burying Sammy, the two men are essentially reclaiming the land and leaving their own mark on the world.

Avani: "'You're very good at this,' I said. 'At what?' 'Being white.' 'I've been practicing for a long time.'"

This section is significant because it makes the reader feel bad for both Norman and James. For James, the way that Norman is able to disguise himself so well brings up some fleeting doubts about his trustworthiness, again tying into the recurring theme of trust. For Norman, we realize how much this mask must hurt him, as he has to pretend to be his captor in order to survive.

Annette: loss of identity; Luke, Sammy, and Brock lose their identities due to their experiences under slavery. Luke and Brock seem not to mind their bondage and accept it as inevitable, and Brock and Sammy know nothing about the world other than the work they did for other people. These methods of oppression rob enslaved people of their access to agency and free will.

Isabelle: Music; There have been many instances of music throughout this novel, with Easter singing, Emmett's minstrel group, and Brock's singing. In this section, we see another slave who enjoys his work. Brock, just like Easter, sings to either distract himself from the labor or find a rhythm within the music to ease the work.

Avani: Trust; This is an important theme in these chapters because as James and Norman embark on their scheme, it is very hard to figure out who they can trust. When James meets Sammy, he takes a slight risk by bringing her with him to run away, but he does so because he forms a connection with her. James's interactions with Brock also demonstrate how it was considered unsafe to trust anyone, even a fellow slave, as the world was just so dangerous.

Annette: Do you think Sammy would have been better off alive but suffering or dead (and, according to Jim, free)?

Isabelle: Who does Henderson remind Jim of?

Avani: Why did some slaves like Luke seem to "like" being enslaved?

Annette: one key scene is when James goes to the Graham farm and asks the people there if they want to run. Their brief exchange reminds readers of all the other slaves that James met and tried to help over the course of the novel. This time, though, there is no fear in the narration, and it feels like they will actually succeed. When James shares his name and the others share theirs, the group's solidarity is heartening to read.

Isabelle: A key scene is when James breaks into Judge Thatcher's library and the conversation they have. Judge Thatcher is appalled that James would turn on him after Thatcher sheltered, fed, and clothed him. James retorts back: "I can’t feed your fantasy that you’re a good, kind master." This interaction is representative of the paternalism concept many slave owners used to justify slavery. They argued they were "good masters" because they provided a stable life, and slavery was a "positive good" because the slave was taken care of and the slaver could reap the benefits from unpaid labor.

Avani: A key scene from this section was when James witnesses Katie’s rape. This is significant because witnessing this is what lights the fuse on his plans to take action against Hopkins and Thatcher, which is a big part of the resolution of this book. Seeing the rape and realizing that he has very little, if any power to stop it reminds him of how little he can do to protect his family and triggers him to do what he does. 

Annette: "How much of the desire to end the institution [of slavery] was fueled by a need to quell and subdue white guilt and pain? Was it just too much to watch? Did it offend Christian sensibilities to live in a society that allowed that practice? I knew that whatever the cause of their war, freeing slaves was an incidental premise and would be an incidental result." This quote reflects the sad truth of the history of race relations in America. Unfortunately, anti-slavery movements in the U.S. were also fueled by selfish desires, and abolitionists were unable to consider the perspective of those they claimed to sympathize with.

Isabelle: "'I know I can. I want to. When?'" This is said by Morris in response to whether he can subdue the overseer of the breeding farm. This contributes to the overall theme of submission and suppression in order to meet the expectations of white people. Not only do slaves have to change their way of speaking and intellectual level, they must also hide their true strength to avoid being punished for a possible crime. Morris has been sure of his ability to overtake the overseer the entire time he has been in captivity, but acting on his thoughts would only lead to his demise. Similarly, slaves cannot reveal their true intellectual capacity or they will be punished accordingly.

Avani: “I saw more clearly, farther, further. My name became my own.” 

This quote is significant because it displays the strength that James gains throughout the text. His name has always been important, as the abbreviation “Jim” has been a way that slave owners deprive him of his identity. Thus, I enjoyed this quote, as it shows the reader how he is growing stronger and more determined to execute his plans, as we see in the chapters. 

Annette: Agency; In this section, Jim becomes James and takes on a new, vengeant perspective on the world. After dealing justice to Hopkins and the Judge, he finds his family and frees as many slaves as he is able to. His language (and the firearm he took from Hopkins) give him tangible power that he can use against his oppressors. The gun might represent reclaiming systems of oppression (Sammy's death, etc) and using them to reintroduce justice to an environment (Hopkins's, Thatcher's, and Graham's fate).

Isabelle: Anger; Throughout this last section, James begins to take control of his anger and use it to his advantage. After catching the catfish, James marvels at "the range, the scope, and the direction" of his anger. When he witnesses Hopkins rape Katie, he deliberately keeps watching to fuel his anger and uses this to strangle Hopkins later on. James loses all patience by the time he reaches the breeding farm, using his anger and vengeance to burn cornfields and kill a white man.

Avani: Vengeance - There was a strong theme of vengeance in this part of the book, as James goes back and kills Hopkins, threatens Thatcher, and helps the slaves from the Graham place escape. This whole section has a dark tone, as James finds his strength and carries out what he has been hoping to do from the beginning of his journey. 

Annette: what is the effect of this book's narrative structure?

Isabelle: If the North discovered James was Jim, would they return him back to the South? (this would have been after the Fugitive Slave Act was passed)

Avani: Why did the author not choose to focus on the relationship between James and Huck in this last part? It almost felt like the plot-bomb shell dropped, but there wasn’t a ton of development after that.