Moral Growth In Huckleberry Finn

Moral Growth in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Growth and moral change hold an essential part of an individual’s life, especially that of an adolescent. As people grow older, views, activities, and interactions with others change, thus an increase in maturity and consideration becomes especially prevalent. In the nineteenth century novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain reveals the process of moral and ethical changes within individuals, as people learn to understand the needs of others, thus revealing the importance of growth and change for an individual. Largely, the novel focuses around the growth and development of a young boy, as Huckleberry Finn experiences vast moral change and events throughout …show more content…
A sympathetic and sorrowful emotion that relates to death reveals that an individual cares deeply about others and considers other people. Early on, Huck holds little to no response to death and even wishes for his own death numerous times. The immaturity of Huck early on in life causes him to lack the ability to understand the seriousness of death and he often speaks of his own death: “Huck constantly repeated his wish to die” (Altschuler). Altschuler reveals the actions of Huck as he hopes to die and speaks of his own death nonchalantly, as they show the lack of ethical growth Huck contains as well as an inability to understand the seriousness of certain situations. Altschuler attempts to convey how easily Huck speaks of death and perhaps such a cause of the lack of response to death by Huck could hold the fact that Huck holds little guidance to mature and change ethically and morally. Huck experiences a moral change as he begins to think of other people’s views and feelings as he gains a better understanding of the seriousness of death. A large point when Huck learns the seriousness of death holds when Buck dies, and Huck “cried a little” after Buck dies and as he “was covering up Buck’s face,” as he realizes feelings of sorrow as he reflects on how Buck “was mighty good to [him]” ( Twain 134). Twain shows how Huck begins to understand the heartbreak that …show more content…
Such maturity shows the transformation through which Huck begins to act more as a young adult as he cares about other people. Huck often sees greed and immature actions throughout his life and must learn: “that the civilized man cares more for his money than for the moral code by which he lives” (Erikson). Erikson shows how not only does Huck mature and learn to care about others, he does so even when those around him do not. Erikson reveals how Huck chooses to act selflessly and help others, even when another course of action could prove more beneficial to himself, particularly related to money. Many other people throughout Huck’s life choose options that benefit themselves, without thoughts of the greater good or the impacts on others. Huck learns and grows into a young man who cares greatly about others and understands the importance of honesty and moral decisions. As one learns to value others and think of other people, moral growth takes place and shows great positive changes for an