Huckleberry Finn roams the streets of St. Petersburg, Missouri, a homeless child surviving by his resourcefulness and scavenging. Unexpected wealth transforms his situation, leading to adoption by the Widow Douglas. She imposes societal norms and education, clashing sharply with his fiercely independent nature and longing for freedom. His abusive, alcoholic father reappears, kidnapping him to seize control of the newfound fortune. Confined in a remote cabin and suffering physical violence, he stages his own death to break free. Escaping to Jackson's Island, he encounters Jim, a runaway slave desperate to avoid sale and separation from his family. The two forge a pact for mutual freedom, building a raft to journey down the Mississippi River. Jim seeks liberation from slavery; he aims to evade both his father and societal constraints. Their travels confront them with thieves, separation during a steamship collision, and entanglement with two con artists, the King and the Duke. These grifters drag them into scams, culminating in Jim's capture and sale to the Phelps family. Throughout the journey, his relationship with Jim evolves profoundly. Initially shaped by societal prejudices, he develops deep loyalty and respect, choosing to help Jim escape despite believing it will damn him morally and religiously. This moral conflict and growth are central to his development. Key events include aiding the Grangerford family during their feud, protecting a delivery from pursuers, and participating in Jim's rescue after his capture. The narrative concludes with Jim's legal emancipation following Miss Watson's death and his decision to seek further independence by heading westward, avoiding renewed guardianship. An original element features a small pet squirrel that accompanies him throughout the journey, symbolizing companionship.