Huckleberry Finn was not the average child. Huck did not know his mother, and his father often left him. While other children either went to school or worked, Huck wandered around and avoided his necessary duties. Huck had strange similarities to Tom Sawyer. The "voices" that Huck often heard were evidence that Huck had some psychological problems.

A psychological syndrome has been named after Huck. "Huckleberry Finn's Syndrome I", also called persistent truancy and truancy syndrome, is defined as neglecting personal duties, such as school. Huckleberry Finn's Syndrome I originates from parental rejection and feelings of both personal rejection and superior intelligence.

Some of Huck's psychological problems can be traced to his lack of a father figure. Pap disappeared for much of Huck's life. When Pap returned to claim Huck's $6000, Huck's mind is overwhelmed at the sudden reappearance of what should have been the most important role model...