Enrico+Paper

T. Dean Mrs. Enrico March 19, 2009 1207-1 Mark Twain, a nineteenth century American writer, is from a time period of prejudice; it could be argued that he harbored some prejudice. In one of his most notable novels, //The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn//, which illustrates the moral struggles of a teenage runaway, is filled with bigotry and social injustices committed by the everyday characters. One of the main themes of the novel is the conflict between morals of the individual and those of society. The main character, Huckleberry Finn, faces many aspects of society, which makes him choose between his own individual principles or the social prejudices of everyone he knows. Huck virtually raises himself, relying on his own moral compass to guide him through his adventures. As depicted in the novel Huck decides to follow his instinctive judgment of right and wrong. One of the earliest signs of this theme is the hypocrisy within the house he lives, when he smokes and miss Watson tells him not to “And she took snuff too; of course that was all right, because she done it herself" (Twain 8). Huck’s first major ethical decision is Huck’s general acceptance of Jim. Society sees Jim, a black male slave, as property and therefore not fit to befriend or even associate with even the lowliest of whites. Huck perceives Jim as almost an equal but he knows the social laws forbid fraternization with blacks. Huck recognizes that society would "call me a low down ablitionist and despise me for keeping mum,"(62), but he is and individual. Huck believes that protecting Jim is a sin but he fails to realize that his choice that he deemed sinful is more righteous than those of society. The hypocrisy in the character’s ethics shines through when he goes to church with the Grangerfords and "The men took their guns along…” (Twain 90). Later on in the novel one of the most pivotal events in the novel is as He and Jim are traveling along the river. Huck reaches a moral dilemma and begins to question his judgment, if protecting Jim was the right thing to do. Huck comes to the conclusion that he was wrong for taking Jim away from Miss Watson, who had never done anything wrong to him. Huck is tormented by his conscience until at last he says “Let up on me- it ain’t too late, yet- I’ll paddle ashore at the first light and tell” (Twain 105). When he paddles to shore he comes across a group of slave catchers he quickly changes his mind and slyly lies to protect Jim “But after this always do whichever come handiest to me at the time.” (108). At that moment Huck realizes what society believes in may not always be the right thing to follow. Huck in addition assisted people that society would otherwise shun, for example when the robbers are on the sinking boat Huck lies to save them. (85) Huck’s apprehension of society’s actions and rules is limited. Huck understands and can distinguish between right and wrong but it seems to him that the actions of humanity are usually in the wrong. That common theme is seen as the colonel shoots Boggs. Huck is amazed “how calmly the Colonel takes the life of a neighbor and then just turns “on his heels and walk away” (Twain 116). Huck also help people that society would other wise shun, for example when the robbers are on the sinking fairy Huck lies to save them. (85 This is also evident when the town tar and feather the con men, king and Duke, he realizes “Human beings can be awful cruel to one another.( 222)”. His new found perspective of his friendship with Jim and of society leads him to question what he was taught about race. Huck begins to reject the ideas of the public and come to his own conclusion. Huck’s acceptance of his love for Jim is apparent when once again he battle with his conscience littered with moral injustices he was taught as a boy. Huck begins to write a letter to miss Watson explaining what had happened and to return Jim, but he ends up ripping the letter and wishes to free Jim. "'All right, then, I'll go to hell' (Twain 323) and he tore it up. At first it leads you to believe Huck was looking out for himself but he was actually protecting Jim because he knew miss Watson would sell Jim to a plantation once she found him. Huck clearly is selfless in that he would rather go to hell than do what the public thinks is right and turn Jim in. Through out the story Huck is faced with many moral conundrums and is forced to evaluate the situation and conclude on his own. He is forced to distance himself with the public to create his own world so he can follow his own moral justices and the time on the raft symbolizes this Even during the adventure Huck’s conscience is polluted with the unjust opinions of the public and time after time must readjust his “moral compass”. Through the hardships he has encountered Huck has become a stronger person and whether he knows it or not he has become the most righteous character in the entire novel.