Shelley Fisher Fishkin, an eminent Twain scholar and professor at Stanford University, dives into her new book about Jim, Huckleberry Finn's comrade. She sheds light on Jim's complex character, his evolution through time, and the themes of race and identity in America's literary landscape. The discussion also highlights Twain's personal tragedies, the significance of dreams in his works, and the transformative influence of child narrators on storytelling. Fishkin connects these themes to contemporary societal issues, encouraging a critical dialogue on empathy and representation.
