Huck Finn's Conscience
Agony and Edification in Huck Finn's ConscienceEnglish poet William Blake once wrote, "Conscience in those that have it is unequivocal." In Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the theme, man's conflict with his conscience, is manifested through Huck Finn. While Huck is forced to confront the hypocrisies of society, he develops his own individual views of right and wrong. In his struggle with his morality, his insights ultimately lead him to defy social norms by freeing a runaway slave, Jim. In the beginning of the novel, Huck Finn is portrayed as a stubborn juvenile without principle, however, when he realizes the consequences of trifling with Jim's emotions, Huck's moral conscience becomes evident. Huck fools Jim into believing that he dreamed being separated in the fog and losing the raft. Amused by Jim's credulity, Huck quickly points to the broken oars, indicating that the incident did take place. This makes Jim feel extremely foolish and incompetent for falling for Huck's immature trick, prompting him to react emotionally:"...my heart wuz mos' broke bekase you wuz los', en I didn' kyer no mo' what become er me en de raf'. En when I wake up en find you back ag'in, all safe en soun', de tears come, en I c
This is established in the novel when Aunt Sally asks Huck if anyone was killed in the steamboat explosion, he replies, "No'm killed a nigger. By taking such risks to free Jim, Huck ultimately shows that a slave's life is equal to his own. Hence, Jim provides moral guidance to Huck by triggering his sincerity. Dat dah is trash; en trash is what people is dat puts dirt on de head er dey fren's en makes 'em ashamed. Huck's remark signifies the climax of the entire novel, in which he does not conform to the demands of society, instead, he secures his morality by following what he believes, in his heart, is right. Ironic as it is, Huck believes he is, indeed, sinning by helping a human being from the sufferings of slavery. However, as Jim divulges about becoming a free man, and how he will steal his family out of the slavery, Huck cannot help but feel at shame: "What had poor Miss Watson done to you that you could see her nigger go off right under your eyes an never say one single word? What did that poor old woman do to you that you could treat her so mean? Why, she tried to learn you your book, she tried to learn you your manners, she tried to be good to you every way she knowed how. it don't make no difference whether you do right or wrong, a person's conscience ain't got no sense, and just goes for him anyway. " At first Huck feels unburdened by the letter, but as he recollects Jim's compassion and trust, Huck's innate sense of right and wrong tells him not to betray Jim, likewise, deny him his humanity. Jim, who can be credited for Huck's moral transformation, helps lead Huck to choose the right decisions and act responsibly. This is a significant transformation because in previous situations, Huck's conscience allowed him to lie and steal, and never feel guilty for it. " Although Huck never meant to intentionally damage Jim's integrity, Huck feels extremely remorse afterwards that he "could almost kiss [Jim's] foot" for forgiveness. Despite whether he believes in an actual hell or not, Huck is clearly prepared to trade in his fate to save Jim's. Yet, by assisting in Jim's escape, Huck is guilty for what society deems illegal and immoral.
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