In the Hands of HuckHuckleberry Finn EssaySociety tends to have a substantial impact on certain individuals; others feel the influences of society and decide what they personally believe despite conflicting opinions. As William Ellery Channing, a 19th century author, once said: "No power in society, no difficulty in your condition can depress you, keep you down, in knowledge, in power, in virtue, in influence, except by your own consent". In Huckleberry Finn, written by Mark Twain, the protagonist, Huck Finn, struggles with the difference between right and wrong. Throughout the novel, he faces situations with Jim, the Duke, the Dauphin, and the Wilks family in which he must put his opinions into practice. In a constant effort to evaluate his true beliefs without the pressures of humanity, Huck Finn develops into an independent being who can decide, for himself, what to accept, whether it be supporting slavery, handing Jim over, or confessing the truth. the novel centers on the relationship between Huck and Jim, Miss Watson's runaway slave. During their first meeting, Huck comments, “I was so happy to see Jim. I no longer felt alone now” (46). As their companionship on the island begins, Huck sees Jim as a friend, someone who will keep him company. However, later in the story, Huck begins to question whether or not it is right to help Jim. After all, Jim belongs to Miss Watson. But equally, in addition to Jim being a slave, Huck is also running away since Huck legally belongs to Pap. So, Huck continues to adventure with Jim in hopes that he is doing the right thing. When stopped by men looking for fugitives, Huck replies that his family, all suffering from smallpox, are aboard the raft. Naturally, the men decide not to check the boat for fear of infection and even give Huck some money for the family. Afterward, Huck “boarded the raft, feeling sick and down, for I knew full well that I had done something wrong” (101). However, he quickly reevaluates his actions and “says to myself, wait, - suppose you did well and give up on Jim; Would you feel better than you do now? No, I say, I would feel bad, I would feel just like now” (101).