Essay On Huckleberry Finn Moral Development

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Huckleberry Finn’s Moral Development

Each person has individual morals and beliefs, however these beliefs are typically conformed around those fitting culture and society. Huck is constantly put into controversial situations involving stealing, slavery, and lying and his reactions in these circumstances shine into Huck’s conscience. During the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as Huck moves further into his adventure, both external and internal, his moral reactions change and reflect his growth. Huck’s original and most innocent viewpoint is on the conflict of lying. Huck does not want to lie, but later it is learned that he does it for important reasons. “‘Please take it’ says I, ‘and don’t ask me nothing-then I won’t have to tell no lies.(16)’” Huck knows that it is wrong for him to lie, so he tries to avoid it completely. However, later in the adventure, he does lie. Lying is acceptable to protect Jim, which overall shows his beliefs toward the slave. Huck is from the south, when slavery is a dominant part of everyday life and economy. He has been raised to recognize his social superiority above African Americans,though he is the lowest class of white man. Huck …show more content…
This is a prime example of human nature and how easy people are to form and change their beliefs based on the beliefs of others and the social norm. However, Huck never quite makes a full moral revolution. He never quite makes it out of the Southern state of mind that was infused inside of him. This is entirely evident in his thoughts whenever he has an internal self conflict involving Jim. Huck does do the right thing, protecting Jim, even lying for him, but he beats himself up for it, and thinks he is wrong. This shows that the last bit of strength, believing in his actions, never got
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