Throughout the novel, Huck is maturing. For the most part, he does this by himself as he had done throughout most of his life. With the exception of Jim, Huck lacks strong parental influence throughout the novel. Pap failed as a parent. Miss Watson also failed. Widow Douglas was a good person but did not influence Huck's decisions. Jim was one of the few positive influences and the closest thing to father figure Huck had.
             Pap failed miserably at being a father to Huck. In the relationship between a father and a son, there is mutual love and respect. This does not exist in the relationship between Huck and Pap. Pap was a bad parent and an alcoholic. Pap's drunkenness threatened Huck's health. He was definitely a negative influence although he taught Huck survival skills and how to be independent. Pap was not fatherly. He was unconcerned about Huck's well being. Huck is merely a possession that can be used to Pap. Pap was more concerned about money and alcohol than he was about Huck. He had abandoned Huck and only came back after he had found out that Huck had found six thousand dollars. Also, he didn't want Huck to go to school because he did not want Huck to be better than he was. Most parents work hard to create a better life for their children. Pap is the opposite. He just wants Huck to be his son when it is economically profitable and discard him when he is not. He was not there as Huck was growing up and when he needed him. Pap was never a true father to Huck.
             Miss Watson and Widow Douglas adopted Huck after he was abandoned by Pap because they wanted to civilize Huck. Widow Douglas was a good person who Huck liked. However, he wasn't as fond of Miss Watson. Huck did not listen to what Miss Watson said. She tried to teach him about the Bible and heaven and hell. She told Huck stories about Moses and other biblical characters. Huck initially thought that they were pretty...