Huckleberry Finn Chapters 16-21

          To kick off this portion of reading, Huck and Jim are on their way to Cairo to free Jim from slavery. Huck begins to have an internal battle with himself on whether or not he should help Jim or turn him in since he is a runaway slave. To me, this shows "Coming of Age" because he is battling with his personal morals and the law. It seems that he is acknowledging that if he is caught helping Jim, he could get into trouble, or he could turn Jim in and have to live in regret and guilt with that decision. We are then presented with a heart warming statement from Jim. "Jim won't ever forgit you, Huck, you's de bes' fren' Jim's ever had; en you's de fren's ole Jim's got now." Huck realizes that him and Jim are true friends and you can't turn your back on friendship.
          Skipping to chapter 19, Huck and Jim become "one with nature". They take in some criminals and Huck can tell that they are lying. This sense is acquired as we mature and experience life which has to do with "Coming of Age". As we grow up we deal with how people act when they are truthful and when they lie so we gain the sense of telling the difference between the two. Huck doesn't tell Jim to try and protect him which shows us that their bond is developing.
          Chapters 20 and 21 don't really involve "Coming of Age". The criminals go around town and scam people out of money while Huck and Jim stay on the raft. Towards the end one of the criminals places a $200 bounty/reward for the capture of Jim. It seems that Huck and Jim can't catch a break.