The difference in influence that these two figures have on
Huck is most clearly demonstrated in the pivotal decisions they lead Huck to
make.
Jim inspires Huck to loyalty, fealty and compassion.
Pap Finn leads Huck to escape and deception.
In their
characters, the two men present contrasting sets of traits. Jim is compassionate and
humble. He tells Huck a story about how he learned humility from his deaf daughter when
she was very young. He looks out for Huck and does not mention much of the help he
offers to Huck. He acts generously. Huck recalls this behavior when he decides to help
Jim escape from captivity (and these are all qualities that qualify as lessons for
Huck).
Pap Finn is indignant. He is ruthless and proud,
though he is also ashamed of himself. He is blameless in his own mind, yet recognizes
the fact that he has squandered all of his cultural advantages in being a white male in
pre-Civil War Missouri. The knee-jerk racism and generally defensive attitude toward all
that he sees as superior to him combine to make Pap a highly judgemental
person.
This particular quality stands in direct contrast
to the lessons that Jim teaches Huck; lessons of compassion, patience and
empathy.
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