Differences Between The Adventures Of Thomas Sawyer And The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

Wikipedia defines “The "Great American Novel" is the concept of a novel that shows the culture of the United States at a specific time. It is presumed to be written by an American author who is knowledgeable about the state, culture, and perspective of the common American citizen.” It is very unusual for childish stories to represent culture and mood of the crowd (and writer specifically) in certain time and place? Only the great writer is capable of doing this, and I believe Samuel Langhorne Clemens (also known as Mark Twain) is such kind of writer. By comparing his two famous works: “The Adventure of Thomas Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and especially by comparing their protagonists, we can observe change of the atmosphere …show more content…
From the very first pages of the book, where Tom eats jam and runs away from his aunt, by simply saying to look behind her, till the very last chapters, were he proposes to his friend to have initiation at midnight on the coffin, adventures and games are his only concern. Seeking treasure, becoming rich, falling in love, participating in his own funeral – just few of his adventures. Of course, Huckleberry Finn accompanied some of his adventures; however, he has different opinion about them. If in the first book, he enjoys these adventures and eager to enter the gang; in the second book, he does not see any purpose in it. He does not have childish imagination: he does not accepts hogs and turnips as imaginary ingots and jewelry. Instead, he has very mature thoughts of religion, society and humanism. This difference is very noticeable in the second book, where they try to release slave Jim. Everything that Huck wants is to rescue his friend, however for Tom that is not enough. Tom wants to do emancipate Jim in spectacular way, just like in the books he reads. He has different childish approach to release - to dig the ground, or to steal a key or even to cut Jim’s foot off. He thinks that Jim’s rescue is a kind of the game, while Huck knows that they are playing with human’s …show more content…
Tom grew with his aunt in the environment of prosperity and care. Good example of that is how upset becomes his aunt, when he runs away from home. However, Huck’s destiny was left unimportant for the town. Actually, Huck, instead of being sympathized for having such a hard life, is hated by most of the parents for being a bad example of the child. Only his heroic rescue of Douglas widow makes him noticeable and makes widow to adopt him. Tom’s bad deeds, however, considered not important and childish. He betrays Amy Lawrence, he fools his friends, he acts very malicious to Becky Thatcher, but in the first book it is been neglected and looks natural. After all, he is just a child, thus all his sins are forgiven. Also it attitude toward slave niggers is worth mentioning. If Tom makes fun on them and considers them as something normal, because he himself had one slave, Huck on the other hand respects them. Good example of that is their very first conversation. Huck is saying that everyone is lying, except for the Niger, because he does not know him – displays his friendly and even respectful attitude towards them. Tom on the other hand makes fun of one Niger, making him think that he spoke to the devil. In the first book, this unintentional cruel attitude towards some people is noticeable; however, in the second book such kind of behavior is strictly avoided