The journey of Huckleberry Finn has come to an end. By the end of the novel, I think that Huck has come of age. He has come a long way since the immature and less moral character that is seen in the early chapters. However, before the end of the novel Huck somewhat goes back to his old ways. He follows the lead of Tom Sawyer even though this time around he is a bit wearier of Tom’s grand ideas and plans and even questions Tom a bit. This is a prime example of Huck’s progression: even when he reverts to his old ways there is still a difference to how he acts.

            When looking at the big picture of the novel all the progress Huck has made toward his coming of age is because of Jim. Huck’s experience with Jim made him more open minded, a more compassionate and emotional human being, and most of all someone who can see past what society thinks is right and do what is actually right. No other character (besides briefly Tom perhaps) had this much impact on Huck.

            When the novel ends Huck has a new beginning to look forward to. Jim is a free man, Pap has died and he is back at home. Huck wants to use this not to go back to the way things were but to move on. He wants to go to Oklahoma rather than be “silvillized” again. This final part of the novel makes the biggest point of any so far: Huck has finally developed into a thinking, independent and well meaning character. The novel’s status as a bildungsroman is justified because Huck truly comes of age by the end.

During these chapters Huck’s character seems to be a work in progress. Huck is distraught when he learns that Jim has been sold for forty dollars. He thinks of ways he can go find the man who he has become so close with. However, after thinking Miss Watson would sell him anyway he begins to have second thoughts about Jim. He starts to feel bad that he has been helping “nigger”. Just as quickly though he reverts back to his original thinking and revolves to help Jim. Huck shows through this situation that he has matured to the point where he can see past what society tells him is wrong and see past what  mixed feelings he may have and at the end do what he truly believes is right.  Huck goes to great lengths to help Jim. He risks his life so that his close friend can obtain slavery. This shows immense maturity on Huck’ part: He is willing to do anything for his friend.

            Huck feels bad for the duke and dauphin when he sees them fleeing tarred and feathered. He sees past all the wrong they have done and sees them just as human beings who are suffering and feels emotion toward them regardless of who they are or what they did. Huck tells Tom about his view on conscience. Huck feels conscience will make you feel bad no matter what. While this is not completely accurate it shows that he is at least developing into a thinking person. These chapters show a major change in Huck as he is able to look past what society thinks is wrong and do what his thinks is right. 

This section of the novel kind of bridges the gap between the old more immature Huck and the new growing up Huck. At this point Huck continues to have some immature leanings and has not completely grown up but this is to be expected as he is still young and is experiencing new things for the first time. For example, this section is the first time when Huck sees blacks and whites being at least somewhat equal. Jim tells him about his wife and children and has a serious discussion with Huck. What Jim tells him has a deep effect on him and he looks differently at Jim. He is surprised that a black man could care this much about his family. This shows he has a lot to learn. However, it is at this point that Huck starts to look at Jim as not a slave but a man.  

            The duke and dauphin also have an impact on Huck’s growth during this section of the novel. The duke and dauphin con people in cruel ways. Huck becomes angered and gets quite upset with their actions and he becomes visibly emotional. The character Huck was in the early chapters of the novel might not have reacted the same way as Huck does at this point. Huck shows growth through his relationship with Jim and throughout the duke and dauphin story line  This section of the novel shows that with some more development Huck is on his way to becoming a deeply moral character.