The reader is brought to an emotional high, and then reminded that Huck is indeed a child from is abrupt "rolling barrel conclusion." When the Duke and the King come along, Huck is seen as even more of a child, adhering to their every order and following them around. But it is also at this time we see Jim demoted from Huck's responsible guardian and friend to nothing more than a mere tool that the Duke and the King use to acquire forty dollars. When Huck comes to the rescue of Jim, a heroic picture of Huck is seen which is indeed a more mature aspect of his character.
If there was anyone who could be seen as an opposite to Huck, it would be Tom Sawyer. Tom, unlike Huck, has been raised in an easy lifestyle. Tom grew up adhering to rules and reading books full of adventure and romance. Because of his somewhat sheltered bringing up, he oftentimes refuses to face reality and make choices by what seems to be more fun and a parallel of the stories he has read. As he forges the scene of his own murder, Huck thinks to himself, "I did wish Tom Sawyer was there; I knowed he would take an interest in this kind of business, and throw in the fancy touches. Nobody could spread himself like Tom Sawyer in such a thing as that" (33). To Huck, Tom is like a role model, something that again exemplifies that child in Huck. This positive light that Huck shines on Tom is dimmed soon after their reunion as the two of them plan Jim's rescue. ""Blame it, this whole things is just as easy and awkward as it can be. And so it makes it so rotten difficult to get up a difficult plan. There ain't no watchman to be drugged--now there ought to be a watchman. There ain't even a dog to give a sleeping mixture to . . ." (237), Tom complains as they figure out a plan. He goes on describing more wild and farfetched ideas while Huck disagrees. Tom's childish ideas, magnify Huck's maturity level. In these chapters Tom shows aspects such as selfishness and the upper hand in everything, the standard of white society at the time.
