Another example of this conflict is when Huck is planning to write a letter to Miss Watson telling where Jim is. He debates whether or not he should mail it and ultimately rips it up. After writing it he first says, "I felt good and all washed clean of sin for the first time I had ever felt.
so in my life, and I knowed I could pray now." ( pg. 234) He later goes on to say, "I took it (the letter) up, and held it in my hand. I was a trembling, because I'd got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute and then I says to myself: 'All right, then,.
I'll go to hell'-and tore it up"( pg. 235). In both decisions society is acting upon Huck, he feels good when he turns in a slave, a fellow human, and he feels like he is going to "hell" if he doesn't. This is because during the 1800's, slaves were viewed as property and freeing or helping them was seen as a sin. So why does society play a role in Huck's decisions? Huck's decisions are purely his feelings; the actual "ideas" of his decision are strictly society's influence. Society acts as a conscience upon Huck.
But what is a "conscience" to Huck? When Huck and Jim think they see Cairo, Huck says, " I begun to get it through my head that he was most free -and who was to blame for it? Why, me. I couldn't get that out of my conscience-( pg. 97). This clearly shows that Huck is under the influence of society because he should be happy that Jim, his companion, is finally getting his freedom. Huck also feels that his "conscience" gets in his way and is an obstacle. Huck says, "My conscience got to stirring me up hotter than ever-( pg. 98). Huck's "conscience" makes him nervous. If Huck's "conscience" is a representation of societies and its values then this idea makes perfect sense because Huck becomes agitated and uncomfortable in the presence of authority of people or ideas.
Still, with familiarity, Huck eventually accepts the presence or authority of people and ideas.