“My idea of ​​our civilization is that it is of bad quality, poor and full of cruelty, vanity, arrogance, wickedness and hypocrisy” , Mark Twain once reflected. Morality does not flourish in such a society, as its endemic violence and racism illustrates. Living in such an environment, Huck Finn internalizes many of his prejudices. Yet the influences of society, both positive and negative, cease to influence Huck after he leaves, suggesting that these are external elements. With these influences removed, the development of Huck's inner, moral self begins to emerge. The conflicts that arise during Huck's journey south arise directly from the conflict between his developing moral nature and his socially dictated "conscience," brought together by external circumstances. Huck "[finds] himself quite often 'in formal opposition' to what are considered 'the most sacred laws of society,' through obedience to even more sacred laws, and has thus tested his resolve without leaving his way" (Thoreau). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The “sacred laws” that Thoreau refers to can be used to describe Huck's emerging morality. These are the laws of himself, the laws of humanity – a morality based on the fundamental principles of tolerance and equality between all things, whether human or natural. This morality stands in direct contrast to cruelty, racism and hypocrisy, behaviors that hurt others and violate the fundamental principle of tolerance. “Human beings can be terribly cruel to each other,” Huck observes as he sees the tarred and feathered duke and king. Unlike punishing the villagers, Huck's actions are never intended to hurt anyone, as he respects the humanity of others. Constrained by his new independence and guided by Jim, Huck begins to "draw his 'fresh' values, to extract them from experience, to create his own moral conscience" (Warren). Jim helps Huck's moral development; through their friendship, he is able to see Jim as another human being, who deserves tolerance, just like white people. Huck's growing morality manifests itself in a transformation from passive tolerance to active compassion. This change is reflected in his assistance to the Wilkes girls. However, Huck's morality is continually questioned when he is forced to confront the immoral elements of society. Each time Huck re-engages with society, his principles must be tested. Often, their perseverance requires self-sacrifice. The Duke and the King, for example, "possess a conscience sufficiently distorted to make them... masters of all those under their surveillance, [including Huck and Jim]" (Pearce). Huck's tolerance of the scoundrels simply results in them taking advantage of him. Additionally, what society has imprinted on Huck continues to influence him in significant ways. The climax of this moral dilemma comes when Huck wonders whether or not he should turn Jim in. Despite the racism that Huck has assimilated into society, the morality he has developed prevails, and "he couldn't seem to strike anywhere to harden him against [Jim], but only against the other kind." Ultimately, Huck chooses to help Jim free himself and declares, "All right, then I'll go to hell." His own "sound heart" clearly triumphs over society's "distorted conscience" when Huck decides to damn himself to hell. Huck's willingness to sacrifice himself reflects his attainment of a higher moral state. Similarly, Henry David Thoreau portrays the abolitionist John Brown as a character..