The river is Huck's escape from the rules of society and represents not only a new life for him but also for Jim, a slave in leak. Both Huck and Jim attempt to leave behind society's tight grip on them. Since neither Huck nor Jim were free to do what they wanted at home, the river and the raft become their independence. Jim and Huck use the raft and each other to create a house and realize that "after all, there was no house like a raft." Other places seem so cramped and stuffy, but not a raft. You feel extremely free, easy and comfortable on a raft” (Twain, 128). On the raft, Huck begins to interact with his surroundings, nature, which gives him time and space to think for himself. On the raft, there is no discrimination. Huck and Jim are equals. Even though Huck is still young, he knows it's time to start forming his own opinion and not follow the example of others. It is here that Huck truly understands the cruelty of slavery and how brutal society can be to other human beings simply because of the color of their skin. This realization strengthens Huck's ability to defend his values ​​and reject society's norms.