Huck Finn Essay

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threats, Huck does not wish to see them drown. He makes the decision to inform someone in town about the situation. The men on the steamboat are committing horrific crimes, but Huck thinks of himself as badly as society of the criminals. His decision to save the criminals shows that Huck listens to his heart rather than his learned conscience. By the time he has found someone to help him rescue the men in it, the ‘Walter Scott’ has already sunk and the three men are dead. Huck feels little sympathy for the criminals and forgets about the incident almost instantly. He briefly relates himself to the criminals and states, “I reckoned if they could stand it, I could.” (Twain, p. 64) His feelings toward the death of the criminals shows his social conscience taking control over his sound heart. Huck feels that because he is helping Jim escape to freedom, that he is committing an equally truculent crime as the two criminals, and is equally as abominable.
Huck’s honest ...

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or his whereabouts to anyone. Society’s influence on Huck makes him feel uncomfortable about his situation, yet he promises to maintain secrecy to Jim, and remains loyal. Huck's overall acceptance and deep promise to Jim illustrates Huck's honest nature in that he does not want to be alone, but it is also an example of his sound heart ruling over his social conscience. “I said I wouldn’t [tell], and I’ll stick to it. Honest injun I will. People would call me a low down Abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum - but that don’t make no difference. I ain’t agoing to tell…” (Twain, p. 37) Huck makes a promise, and no matter what happens, will not go back on his word.
A few times ...

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