Pap

Huck’s father, or "Pap" as he calls him, is an easy character to hate. He is physically abusive to Huck. Pap is a drunk who tries to steal his son’s money for alcohol and won’t let Huck go to school. He’s the poster-child for bigotry, racism, and alcoholism. In fact, he has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

Pap could be an argument for the notion that some people can’t change. When the new judge in town turns up all idealistic about reforming the guy, Pap convinces him in one short night that the only way you can reform a man is with a shotgun, and even then, this particular case is likely a goner anyway. If you’re one of those people who is convinced that Huck doesn’t in fact undergo any major changes throughout the story, the character of Pap might offer some good supporting evidence for the novel’s stance on the matter of change.