James: A Novel

Discuss Jim’s relationship with Huck. How would you characterize their friendship, and how does Jim nurture Huck’s moral development? Does the fact that Jim is ultimately revealed as Huck’s father “explain” his interest in Huck, or is there more to their friendship?

Discuss the theme of The Brutality of Enslavement. In addition to physical violence, what other kinds of coercive tools do enslavers use to preserve the social order and perpetuate the idea of white supremacy?

How does this novel challenge Enlightenment ideology? What kinds of questions does it ask about ideas like humanism, democracy, and equality? What broader argument might it be making about the founding principles of the United States?

How does this novel depict sexual violence? How was enslavement particularly brutal toward women, and what impact did that have on enslaved men who, like Jim, were powerless to come to their aid?

Discuss the theme of Humanity and Friendship. How does this novel depict kindness and mutual aid among enslaved people? What broader argument is being made about enslavement, humanity, and dignity in these depictions?

Compare and contrast a key moment depicted in James and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. How does this text speak back to Mark Twain’s novel?

Discuss Jim’s characterization. How does he define himself and why is it important for him to tell his own story?

How is the Civil War depicted? Is there real-world evidence to support Jim’s claim that ending enslavement was a side effect and not the main purpose of the war? Do you find his argument compelling that even in the North, white supremacy was the dominant ideology?