All signs of Huck's emotions lead the reader to believe that he wanted to help Jim, but Huck's thoughts, which are influenced by society's opinions, disagree with his emotions. .
Although Huck wants to save his friend, he feels that there are serious consequences behind it because of what society has taught him all his life; serious consequences such as having to live in shame in society, and being looked down upon by God. For example, because of the strict point of view that society has enforced on him, he is afraid that "it would get all around that Huck Finn helped a nigger to get his freedom; and if [he] was ever to see anybody from that town again [he"d] be ready to get down and lick his boots for shame" (191). He has been taught that it is a great shame to help a black man, especially to help one to his freedom; it is even illegal. Society has made such a strong impression on him that he is hesitant to help his friend, whom he really cares about, and wants to help. Also, while he is brainstorming in confusion about what to do he suddenly realizes that his "wickedness was being watched all the time from up there in heaven.[and] [he] most dropped in [his] tracks [he] was so scared" (191); despite this fear he cannot deny his feelings, so "[he] studied a minute, sort of holding [his] breath, and then says to [himself]: "All right then, I"ll go to hell,""(192). Since society has taught him that helping Jim is wrong, forgetting about Jim altogether is right, and there was no question about it, Huck figures that God goes by the same guidelines, and by disobeying society's standards, he is in trouble with God, too. Though he does decide to help Jim in the end, Huck feels that it is with dire consequences. Today, Huck may have made the same decision, but without such a huge feeling of guilt, for things have changed.
Society's view on racism and slavery at the time of Huck Finn is very different than society's view on it today; this goes to show that because of its changing opinion, society is not always right.