Huck's Social Responsibility

Throughout these chapters we can see how Huck still holds on to the beliefs and morals of his society. We can see this through the way he treats Jim. He still sees Jim as inferior and as property. Huck's social responsibility is to turn Jim in. This is what was taught. There was no reason to think against it. The members of this society believe in white superiority and even though Huck doesn't live up to all the standards of his society he still follows this belief. Huck starts to realize that Jim cares about him but still thinks about turning Jim in. Mark Twain uses this to show how large an effect your society has on you. Huck decides against it because he will feel guilty either way. Since Huck is away from his society for a while he starts to form his own opinion. He decides to do what is "handiest."
Of course the social responsibilities of a man and a woman are different. We can see that the boys of this time are very comfortable in nature and are supposed to be tough. We see this when Huck fakes his death, he is able to catch a animal. He can also navigate around to river and through the forest. As for women, it seems they have to be able to thread a needle. Which is quite strange. Threading a needle has nothing to do with being a women but during this days it was something a woman was expected to do. Just like in any society men were supposed to be strong and brave and women frail and ladylike. The only difference is the way the men show their brave and the way women show their ladylike. This is one belief that Huck doesn't really think about. When Huck dresses like a girl to find out information it doesn't really bother him. Huck had to be informed by the woman, who informed him of the situation in the town, about how a girl I supposed to act. To Huck, it wasn't a big deal. As long as Huck is away from his society he will be able to form his own beliefs and morals.