Final answer:
Huck's intense internal struggle between following social norms and his own moral judgement reaches a peak in Chapter 16 of 'Huckleberry Finn' when he makes the pivotal decision to help Jim, a runaway slave, despite the consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Huck's moral conflict reaches a climax in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Chapter 16 when he must decide whether to turn in Jim, a runaway slave, as society dictates, or to continue aiding Jim to freedom, which Huck's conscience tells him is right. This moment of moral crisis epitomizes the theme of the book: the struggle between societal norms and personal ethics. Huck's emotional turmoil is evident when he is on the verge of returning Jim to slavery, but eventually, he chooses to help his friend, saying, "All right, then, I'll go to hell," which reflects his inner transformation and Twain's critique of the moral contradictions of the time.