Jim Lies In Huckleberry Finn

Throughout Mark Twain’s book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck lies on many occasions and other characters lie to Huck. Jim lies to Huck when they find a dead man. Huck lies to a watchman when three men are in danger. Lastly, Huck also lies to the Shepherdsons when he gets caught. Usually, kids are taught to never lie, but in Huck’s case, it's the best thing to do.
While traveling Jim and Huck find a dead man in a house floating down the river. Jim looks at the man and confirms he's dead and then says “Come in, Huck, but doan' look at his face—it's too gashly." (Twain 60). The face probably wasn't gashly at all; Jim didn't want Huck to know it was Pap. Jim told Huck this so Huck wouldn't be scarred by the fact that his dead father is lying dead on the floor. Huck tries to get Jim to discuss the dead man, but Jim avoids the subject saying it would bring bad luck and the man could "ha'nt us"(Twain 62). In Huck's case, it was best for Jim to lie.

Huck approaches a light and finds the watchman of another ship and makes up a lie that will save the men. Huck says that there is someone in trouble and the watchman wanted to know who so Huck said, "Why, pap and mam and sis and Miss Hooker; and if you'd take your ferryboat and go up there—" (Twain 87). Huck told him where they were and the watchman went on his way to save them. Because Huck lied, them men would be saved and Huck and Jim wouldn't be questioned on why they were traveling down the river alone. In Huck's case, it was best to lie to save himself and the