Deception and Deceit can be lifesaving. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, trickery and deceit are essential traits in Huck's life. Huckleberry Finn is a young boy living in the South in the late 1800s. Being in such a racist environment, Huck is not prevented from associating with African Americans. When Huck runs away from home, he encounters a slave from his family who is running away. Huck soon befriends the slave named Jim and they both travel on a raft north in search of freedom. Jim being a runaway slave presents many problems for both Huck and Jim. Huck must use different styles of deception and trickery to stay out of danger and also to help his companions. Twain suggests in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that deception is essential to functioning in a corrupt society. Huck faces many dangerous situations throughout the story and must use deception to save himself from a racist society. Huck travels with an escaped slave, putting him in mortal danger. While traveling with Jim on the river, Huck encounters a serious problem. The men searching for escaped slaves wish to search Huck's raft where Jim is hiding. If Jim is found, Huck could be killed or be in terrible trouble. Faced with a life or death situation, Huck uses the only thing that can save him. Huck deceives the men by lying to save himself. Huck tells the men, “He's sick, and so is mother and Mary Ann” (Twain 95). The men are terrified that Huck's family is sick and continue without searching Huck's raft. Jim is saved but, more importantly, Huck has saved himself from all danger. Huck later encounters more problems with the slave catchers. The hunters have learned that Jim is perhaps hiding in a cave. Huck knows they're being tracked and doesn't have... half a sheet of paper... he thinks it's his nephew, Tom Sawyer. This way, Huck could easily stick around Jim and find a way to help him escape. This would also avoid any suspicion and keep Huck away from danger and trouble. Huck has changed his identity twice demonstrating, “His lies often trip him up and force him to make up more lies. Do you tend to lie only out of necessity?” (Rasmussen). By using disguise, Huck helps himself and others function in a corrupt society. Huck associating with Jim presents many problems throughout the story. Both characters encounter family and slavery issues that cause them great danger. Huck must use deception and disguise tactics to protect himself and the lives of others. It is shown in the story; deceit and deception are essential to persevere in a corrupt society. Although Huck is a young boy, he understands how essential deception is to survival.