The mighty Mississippi stretches for 2,300 miles, its rocky riverbanks touching 10 states. But in a deeper sense, the river flows through every corner of the American imagination, thanks to Mark Twain, born as Samuel Clemens in 1835.
Twain’s hometown, Hannibal, Missouri, is a living memorial to the author.
And in Hannibal, there is a museum named for a twain character less celebrated, but no less significant, Jim.
“Jim’s Journey” museum founder Fay Dant says the story of Huck Finn’s companion on the Mississippi – the runaway slave, Jim – is the real heart of the novel, and was based on Twain’s real-life friend Daniel Quarles.
Jim’s selfless humanity in the face of slavery’s cruelty makes him a character that lingers in the mind of every reader who ever encountered him. That includes esteemed author Percival Everett.
WGN’s Mike Lowe recently had a conversation with Everett, whose new book “James” tells the story of Huck Finn from the perspective the runaway slave Jim.
