And Jim shows incredible affection and love for Huck. He pampers him. Jim was superstitious and in some ways ignorant, but he was older than Huck and treated him with tenderness and care. When they discover each other afetr having been separated, and are so happy to see each other, well, that part gets me misty eyed every time I read it.
It's a beautiful portrait not just of adventure, but of doing the right thing in spite of the times in which you live, of the better part of human nature. It is a wonderful book. Nothing against Little Black Sambo, but that's not even in the same ballpark--not even the same sport. Huck Finn is a brilliant book.
But hey, what do I know? That's just what it means to me.