Parental Influence on Huck Finn In Mark Twain's novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the adults in Huck's life play an important role in the development of the plot. Pap, Huck's father, constantly abuses the boy, never allowing him to become an intelligent or respectable human being. He beats and attacks Huck every time they meet and tries to destroy Huck's chances of having a normal life. This situation is balanced by several good role models and parental figures for Huck. Jim, the runaway slave, embraces Huck like a son and shares his vast knowledge with him. He also protects Huck during the trip down the river. Widow Douglas is another good role model for Huck. He tries to civilize him and make him respectable to society, while being thoughtful and compassionate. There is a stark contrast in how Huck is treated by adults, and they all have an effect on him. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Pap is a horrible parent to Huck and constantly berates him. When he learns of Huck's new $6,000 fortune, he returns to town to get his son and the money back. He is furious when he finds out that he can't get the money, and gets even more angry when he finds out that Huck goes to school and lives a civilian life. He says to Huck You are educated too, they say; you know how to read and write. You think you're better than your father now, don't you, why can't he? I'll get it from you. (Twain 19) Dad says this during their first meeting in the book. He can't believe that Huck is becoming an educated person and has a normal life. Pap is already angry about Huck's money, and now he's just angry. Dad is a selfish person. He abandoned Huck as a child and spent all his......middle of paper......cal edition, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, an authoritative text, backgrounds, and source criticism. Ed. and trans. Sculley Bradley, Richmond Croom Beaty, E. Hudson Long, and Thomas Cooley. New York: Norton, 1977. 328-335.Lynn, Kenneth S. “You Can't Go Home Again.” A critical edition of Norton, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, an authoritative text, background and source criticism. Ed. and trans. Sculley Bradley, Richmond Croom Beaty, E. Hudson Long, and Thomas Cooley. New York: Norton, 1977. 398-413Smith, Henry Nash. "A healthy heart and a warped conscience." A critical edition of Norton, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, an authoritative text, background and source criticism. Ed. and trans. Sculley Bradley, Richmond Croom Beaty, E. Hudson Long, and Thomas Cooley. New York: Norton, 1977. 365-385.Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Austin: Holt