Nothing else is
needed to show at once Mark Twain's preoccupation with the workings of
human conscience in the unsophisticated mind and his conviction that,
with the "lights that he had," Huck was justified in his courageous
decision.
Huck felt deeply repentant for allowing Jim to escape from the innocent,
inoffending Miss Watson. He became consumed with horror and remorse to
hear Jim making plans for stealing his wife and children, if their
masters wouldn't sell them. His conscience kept stirring him up hotter
than ever when he heard Jim talking to himself about the joys of
freedom. After awhile, Huck decided to write a letter to Miss Watson,
informing her of the whereabouts of her "runaway nigger." After writing
that letter, he felt washed clean of sin, uplifted, exalted. But he
could not forget all the goodness and tenderness of poor Jim, who had
shown himself so profoundly grateful. Though he faced the torments of
Puritanical damnation as a consequence, he resolved to let Jim go free.
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