This paper will discuss Twain's
novel in terms of the themes of the child as visionary and
friendship. In this context, the
controversy over the issue of racism in the novel is of relevance given the fact that the key
friendship in the work - which I found particularly moving and idyllic as a
child - was that between Tom and the black runaway slave, Jim. It will be argued that - although some of the language reflects racial attitudes of 19th century America that are no longer acceptable today - nonetheless "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is a masterpiece of the imagination which all children should read.