Previous
Sammy
Judge Thatcher is the local judge in Hannibal, Missouri. He and Miss Watson look after Huck’s welfare in Pap’s absence. Jim teaches himself to read using the books in Judge Thatcher’s library. Jim’s confrontation with the judge forms the novel’s climax. Thatcher’s horror at Jim’s ability to read emphasizes the novel’s idea that the performance of ignorance puts white people at ease and causes them to underestimate Black people.
Judge Thatcher Quotes in James
The James quotes below are all either spoken by Judge Thatcher or refer to Judge Thatcher. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part 1, Chapter 6 Quotes
“Well, yes, but all men are equal. That’s my point. But even you have to admit the presence of, shall we call him—it—the devil, in your African humans.” Voltaire adjusted his position and held his hands to the fire.
“You’re saying we’re equal, but also inferior,” I said.
“I’m detecting a disapproving tone,” he said. “Listen, my friend. I’m on your side. I’m against the institution of slavery. Slavery of any kind. You know that I am an abolitionist of the first order.”
“Thank you?”
“You’re welcome.”
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1, Chapter 7 Quotes
Then I wrote my first words. I wanted to be certain that they were mine and not some I had read from a book in the judge’s library. I wrote:
I am called Jim. I have yet to choose a name.
[…]
But I will not let this condition define me. I will not let myself, my mind, drown in fear and outrage. I will be outraged as a matter of course. But my interest is in how these marks that I am scratching on this page can mean anything at all. If they can have meaning, then life can have meaning, then I can have meaning.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 3, Chapter 9 Quotes
“Why on earth would you think that I can’t imagine the trouble I’m in? After you’ve tortured me and eviscerated me and emasculated me and left me to burn slowly to death, is there something else you’ll do to me? Tell me, Judge Thatcher, what is there that I can’t imagine?”
[…]
“Are you going to kill me?”
“The thought crossed my mind. I haven’t decided. Oh, sorry, let me translate that for you. I ain’t ’cided, Massa.”
I had never seen a white man filled with such fear. The remarkable truth, however, was that it was not the pistol, but my language, the fact that I didn’t conform to his expectations, that I could read, that had so disturbed and frightened him.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire James LitChart as a printable PDF.
Judge Thatcher Character Timeline in James
The timeline below shows where the character Judge Thatcher appears in James. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 1
...he denies seeing anyone. Miss Watson also asks Jim if he has been in Judge Thatcher’s library. He laughs, wondering what she thinks he could do with a book. Jim returns...
(full context)
Part 1, Chapter 3
...runs into Huck again, who says he has sold all his worldly possessions to Judge Thatcher for a dollar. The boy observes that Jim’s complexion is not much darker than his,...
(full context)
Part 1, Chapter 4
...he worries the theft will be noticed. One day, Sadie overhears Miss Watson telling Judge Thatcher that she is going to sell Jim to a man in New Orleans, splitting up...
(full context)
...about Miss Watson’s desire to sell Jim, as he himself does not value money. Judge Thatcher and some others float by on a ferryboat, firing a small cannon into the water,...
(full context)
Part 1, Chapter 6
...falls into fever dreams from the snake bite. He sees Sadie and Lizzie, and Judge Thatcher’s library, where he has spent many hours secretly learning to read. Jim wonders what white...
(full context)
Part 2, Chapter 2
Jim has removed his shirt, showing off the scars Judge Thatcher gave him for saying hello to a white woman who greeted him first. He and...
(full context)
Part 3, Chapter 4
...the hypothetical war very important and wants to return Huck to Miss Watson and Judge Thatcher, where he will be safe. Huck tells Jim he doesn’t own him—Jim hopes no one...
(full context)
Part 3, Chapter 5
...he is a man after all he’s gone through. He asks Huck to find Judge Thatcher and Miss Watson and find out who bought Sadie and Lizzie. Huck agrees to this...
(full context)
Part 3, Chapter 8
...church. He has not admitted to seeing Jim, but he told Miss Watson and Judge Thatcher about his adventures with the King and the Duke. Hopkins told Huck that Lizzie and...
(full context)
Part 3, Chapter 9
...back across the channel with rations, Hopkins’ pistol, and his notebook. He sneaks into Judge Thatcher’s library, searching for a map and a bill of sale for Sadie and Lizzie. Judge...
(full context)
James has never seen a white man as scared as Thatcher is, hearing an enslaved man speak in a language that does not conform to his...
(full context)
The sun rises and James forces Thatcher to row them to shore. He sets the boat adrift and ties the judge to...
(full context)
