Huck learns that he does not need listen to them, “‘I’ve got to tell the truth, and you want to brace up, Miss Mary, because it’s a bad kind, and going to be hard to take, but there ain’t no help for it’” (141). The Duke and King had already attempted to con the Wilks girls and in their deformed minds it is acceptable to take money from the grieving daughters. However, the distress of the girls causes Huck’s heart to warm and he chooses to reveal the truth of the con, despite the possible repercussions. Huck also begins to admit how deeply he cares for Jim in his distress over the Duke and King selling him, “‘Sold him?’ I says, and begun to cry, ‘why he was my nigger, and that was my money. Where is he? - I want my nigger’” (163). Huck is distraught over the actions of the Duke and King in selling Jim. Despite their heinous offense, Huck grows in his realization that he wants and needs Jim in his life. Huck’s tears demonstrate the tight bond formed between them. The reselling of Jim into slavery by the con men was an immoral action that led to an increase in Huck’s morals as he began to recognize how wrong the Duke and King are. The actions of the con men create a deformed conscience, however despite their negative influence, Huck’s morality grows as he becomes decisive in his actions through declaring his need for Jim and the revealing of …show more content…
Huck is able to determine right from wrong against all odds due to the trials he has endured from the people in his life. His abusive father increased Huck’s sense of independence and resilience. His friendship with Jim increased Huck’s empathy and opened his eyes to the difficulty of being a slave. The Duke and King increased his desire to take action and speak up against the wrongs caused by immoral people in society. While the social conscience may have been deformed, and the people in his life terrible influences, Huck was able to develop a sound moral character. Would Huck have been able to develop such a strong character if his influences were positive role models rather than the negative criminals who raised