In the great American novel, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," by Mark Twain, Pap is Huck's biological father. However, there is evidence found in various scenes showing that in reality, Jim is more of a father figure to Huck than is any other character in the book. Respect from Huck is shown for Jim, unparalleled to the other people Huck meets, right in the first few pages, and the feeling strengthens and becomes mutual as the novel progresses on. "Tom whispered to me, and wanted to tie Jim to the tree for fun. But I said no" (Twain 5). .
One can note while reading the novel that although Huck meets many characters during his journey, none of the characters, besides Jim, develop a close enough connection with Huck to even be up for consideration as a father figure in his life. Even though the Widow Douglas has adopted Huck, and other characters such as the Judge have good intentions for Huck, like one another they all end up being too involved in their own personal affairs to be there for Huck when he needs them. Similarly, the duke and the king, despite spending the majority of the time on the river with Huck, a connection isn't formed between them as Huck states his distrust for them early on. "It didn't take me long to make up my mind that these liars warn't no kings nor dukes at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds." (Twain 125) The only character that develops a true friendship with Huck is Jim.
More evidence supporting Jim being the father figure is shown early in the novel as Jim shows the care and respect that he has for Huck right away, even just after meeting him post-murder. When Huck and Jim begin exploring Jackson's Island, they stumble upon a section of a house floating past the island. Once they enter it and discover the dead man inside of it, Jim, realizing Pap is the dead man, expresses his care for Huck and covers Pap with rags so Huck won't realize the dead man's real identity.
No one who has read the novel Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain can deny not seeing the faults of the civilized world that Twain so critically satires. ... Pap is in every respect the exact opposite of Jim. Where Jim is caring, sensitive and fatherly towards Huck, Pap is selfish, cruel and dirty. ...