During the times of slavery in the American South, helping a slave achieve his freedom is looked down upon by the general public and is a socially unacceptable thing to do. In Mark Twain's novel Huckleberry Finn, Huck decides to help Jim, a black slave, to run away. This puts Huck in dissonance with society. Huck's decision, while being the right thing to do from a modern standpoint, puts him in danger and is therefor a foolish way to deal with this dissonance. Rescuing Jim is an unwise choice for Huck to make because he is leaving a safe environment, and the world is a dangerous place full of criminals and con artists, and many people do not look kindly on a boy who is freeing a slave.
             The environment that Aunt Sally creates for Huck is a safe, structured and wholesome one. This seems like an ideal environment for a child to grow up in. Apart from the occasional appearance of Huck's father, and mischief created by Tom Sawyer, Huck is safe living with Aunt Polly. Huck is being schooled and civilized, and even though he does not like it, it is beneficial for him. Huck has plenty of money that is safe with Judge Thatcher and is making more everyday off the interest. Huck's leaving this environment is a foolish thing to do because he is squandering a great opportunity, and by leaving he is put himself endangering himself.
             In Huckleberry Finn's time, the South is a dangerous place, full of thieves, con men, and murderers. These rapscallions would not think twice about killing Huck and stealing Jim to make some money. The Duke and the King are two examples of these kinds of people. They run scams for a living and swindle people of their money. Huck sees through them quickly and states, "It didn't take me long to make up my mind that these liars warn't no kings nor dukes, at all, bud just low-down humbugs and frauds" (Twain 106). Even though Hu
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