Huck Finn Morality Analysis

Huck learns a variety lessons from the various figures in his childhood, some good and some bad. From his Pap, he learns how to fend for himself and to reject formal society, but he also learns about racism, alcoholism and has to suffer years of abuse. From the Widow and Miss Watson Huck learns about generosity and kindness but also about religious indoctrination and the boundaries of what deemed is acceptable in society. From Jim, Huck learns about love and compassion, trust and honesty as well as the difference between right and wrong. Floating down the Mississippi River Huck learns to challenge social norms and constructs when he decides to help Jim to freedom. The contrasting characters of Pap and The Widow mirror their contrasting beliefs systems. And yet with the help of Jim, one of the only constant characters in the novel huck learns the truth about the world. Huck’s new world image is tested when the King and the Duke, two “rapscallions”, sell Jim to Mr. and Mrs. Felps. Once again attempting to use his own judgment, but erring on the side of his upbringing Huck decides that Jim would be …show more content…
Through rejecting an education he is rejecting society and the religious, racist propaganda of the time. Huck paves his own path with help from Jim, a runaway slave and Huck’s most influential teacher. Jim encourages Huck to question many of the teachings he received from both Pap and Miss Watson. Multiple times, Huck chooses to go to hell rather than conform to cultural standards. This journey to maturity and independent thinking is contrasted by Tom Sawyer. Tom lives in the society Huck purposefully avoided and because of that is immature and less morally astute. Huck’s journey down the river with Jim shows that a true education can not be found in formal schooling, but in one’s own mind, one’s relationships with others and contact with the broad