The Moral Evolution Of Mark Twain's The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

The Moral Evolution of Huckleberry Finn Throughout the novel of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck’s morals fluctuate. With the mind of an average twelve year old, Huck shows immense moral growth by taking a stand to achieve the right within a wrong, trying to get money to whom it rightfully belongs to, and trading his faith for another, which illustrates the maturity Huck has gained. Although, throughout his journey, he displays signs of his adolescent behavior by going along with schemes he knows well is wrong. Huck takes his first steps towards his moral growth by recognizing right from wrong.
Being a companion of Tom Sawyer, Huck displays childlike tendencies such as performing multiple stunts on those around him. After one, which
involve Jim being bit by a snake, Huck realizes, “[He] wouldn't ever…[play another trick]...now that [he sees] what had come of it” (Twain 53). This is the first step to Huck's journey in his moral development. He understands his doings were wrong, in the cost of another. He reflects on his actions and decides, “I…[wouldn’t]...do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I’d ‘a’ knowed it would make him feel that way” (Twain 86). However, Huck recoils from his growth as he is involved in an event in which, “...[He]...knowed very well…[he]...had done wrong, and…[he]... see it warn’t no use for…[him]... to try to learn to do right” (Twain 91). Throughout his adventure, he has a moral struggle, knowing right from wrong, but questioning his actions. Eventually, his morals prevail and puts his thoughts to work.
As Huck accompanies two charlatans, the Duke and the Dauphin, Huck quickly grasp how unethical their ways are.
In their utmost immoral scam, the charlatans pose as the brothers to a deceased man, in order to receive the inheritance. Disgusted by the idea, “It was enough to make a body ashamed of the human race” (Twain 163). Huck demonstrates the fact he is aware of how vile their scheme is, but still continues play his role in the their act. As the trio dig themselves into a deeper hole, Huck’s, “...conscience got to stirring…” (Twain 89), and ultimately his moral compass directs him to speak up to one of the daughters, exposing the charlatans. In his eyes, “It was a dreadful thing to see. Human beings can be awful cruel to one another” (Twain 231). His morals evolve as he is casted further into challenging situations that make him question his
principles.
Huck faces one of his most difficult situations when he has to trade his faith for another.
Assisting a slave in any way is deeply frowned upon in Huck’s society. Becoming aware of all he has done, he realizes that if he told Miss Watson, “It would all get around that…[he]...helped a…[slave]...to get his freedom, and if…[he]...was to ever see anybody from that town again…[he’d]...be ready to get down and lick…[their]...boots for shame” (Twain 212). To be perceived as an disgrace to their society greatly troubles Huck, until he recollects all Jim has sacrificed to aide Huck along the way. Deciding to let his faith guide him, he reaches a road block realizing, “You can’t pray a lie…” (Twain 213). He desires to give up sin, “...but away inside…[him, he]...was holding on to the biggest one of all” (Twain 213). Consumed by a mental clash between his morals, and society’s morals, Huck resolves that he’ll, “...go to hell” (Twain 214), right before shredding his letter of confession, illustrating the largest growth in his moral evolution.
In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck endures a challenging journey in the evolution of his morals. By being placed into difficult situations that make him question the morals he was taught, not only strengthens them, but forms new ones as well. Taking a stand to correct a wrong and trading his faith makes him question not only his morals, but society’s too. He quickly grasped that it is not what society believes to be true that matters, but
what one knows to be correct in their own eyes.