Huckleberry Finn matured on the path of self-discovery, challenges constantly arose as the hope of growing and succeeding. Some of these challenges require the use of self-judgment and personal understanding. Huck struggled with many of these challenges. He had to forget what everyone was telling him and learn to present his own opinion. Early in Huck's journey, he unexpectedly met Jim on Jackson's Island. The first night, they experienced a violent storm. The storm came out of nowhere and it started raining instantly; Huck said “it was raining like a fury” (Twain 48). Then lightning struck and he said it was “as bright as glory” (Twain 49) and that it would give you a glimpse of the tree and then it would become “dark as sin” again (Twain 49). Coulombe says the storm resembles the character Huck in many ways. Much like the storm, Huck oscillates between the extremes of good and evil: "At some times he can be as bright as glory, and at others he can be as dark as sin" (Coulombe). Huck encounters his first challenge when he is given the opportunity to ensure that Jim is no longer an escaped slave. Throughout chapter fifteen, Huck struggles with whether or not he wants to turn Jim in. He thinks he should do it because it's against the law and it would disrespect Miss Watson. He also thinks he shouldn't do it because he cares about Jim and he said he wouldn't feel better if he abandoned Jim. Huck decided to do what he thought was right and continue his adventure with Jim. Huck felt bad for breaking the law and knew he had done wrong, so he concluded "a body that does not start well when small has no show" (Twain 91). After processing the incident a bit, he said he wouldn't have felt better if he had... middle of paper... or. Ultimately, I think Huck was proud that he was able to get close to Jim and learn what he was doing. Huckleberry Finn has been through a relentless and demanding journey, he has been tested by the river in every way possible. The river and Jim helped Huck understand life, religion, and who he wanted to be as a person. Works Cited Coulombe, Joseph L. “The Eco-Criticized Huck Finn.” 2002. Bloom's Literature. Internet. May 14, 2014.Nichols, Mary P.” Huckleberry Finn and the Democratic Art of Twain's Writing. 2002. Bloom's Literature. Internet. May 15, 2014Eliot, TS "Introduction to Huckleberry Finn." The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, 2006. Bloom Literature. Internet. May 15, 2014. Nelson, Cassandra. “Religion in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”2011. Flowery literature. Web.May 19, 2014.Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York: Charles L. Webster & Co., 1884. Print.