In Mark Twain’s classic novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom’s life and various escapades are described in great length and depth. Tom Sawyer, is a very shrewd, manipulative boy with a penchant for finding a way to get out of work. He demonstrates this in the pranks he plays on others. The novel jumps back and forth among several narrative strands showing Tom’s growth as a character. Because of the episodic nature of the plot, Tom’s character can seem inconsistent, as it varies depending upon his situation. Though Tom’s character shows inconsistency throughout the novel, he certainly shows a variety of traits such as playfulness, when Tom sees Becky for the first time, kind-heartedness, when he tries to protect the women in his life,
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He thinks more about what he should do; versus what he thinks he should do. When Tom and Huckleberry Finn witness the murder of a doctor, they make a blood oath not to tell anyone else about the events that actually occurred that night. However, as time passes, Tom feels more and more guilty, and the night before the trial for the accused suspect, Muff Potter, “Tom [tells] the whole story to the lawyer” (155). Even though Tom is terrified that Injun Joe, the real murderer may come back to kill him for exposing the truth, he knows that this is the right thing to do, so he tells the truth in front of the entire courtroom and Injun Joe. This shows a lot of courage and maturity, in knowing that the right thing is not always the easy thing. Later, after the confession, when he and Becky are stuck in the cave, he sees Injun Joe there, also lost. When he finally gets out of the cave, after the initial euphoria, he hears that the cave had been locked up so that no one else could get in. Upon hearing this, he “turn[s] as white as a sheet” (210). He utters the words “‘Oh, judge, Injun Joe’s in the cave’” (210). Tom’s simple reaction of “turning white as a sheet” speaks volumes about his character. He could have let Injun Joe rot in the cave, but his strong moral compass inspired him to the play the role of a matured young man, telling the Judge the …show more content…
When the novel begins, Tom is a mischievous child who envies Huck Finn’s lazy lifestyle and freedom. As Tom’s adventures proceed, critical moments show Tom moving away from his childhood concerns making mature, responsible decisions. While portraying the character of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain ridicules and criticizes the values and practices of the adult world toward which Tom is heading. Twain exposes the hypocrisy of social institutions such as school, church, and the law, as well as public opinion. Disobedient though he may be, Tom ends up as St. Petersburg’s hero. As the town gossips say, “[Tom] would be President, yet, if he escaped hanging”
He thinks more about what he should do; versus what he thinks he should do. When Tom and Huckleberry Finn witness the murder of a doctor, they make a blood oath not to tell anyone else about the events that actually occurred that night. However, as time passes, Tom feels more and more guilty, and the night before the trial for the accused suspect, Muff Potter, “Tom [tells] the whole story to the lawyer” (155). Even though Tom is terrified that Injun Joe, the real murderer may come back to kill him for exposing the truth, he knows that this is the right thing to do, so he tells the truth in front of the entire courtroom and Injun Joe. This shows a lot of courage and maturity, in knowing that the right thing is not always the easy thing. Later, after the confession, when he and Becky are stuck in the cave, he sees Injun Joe there, also lost. When he finally gets out of the cave, after the initial euphoria, he hears that the cave had been locked up so that no one else could get in. Upon hearing this, he “turn[s] as white as a sheet” (210). He utters the words “‘Oh, judge, Injun Joe’s in the cave’” (210). Tom’s simple reaction of “turning white as a sheet” speaks volumes about his character. He could have let Injun Joe rot in the cave, but his strong moral compass inspired him to the play the role of a matured young man, telling the Judge the …show more content…
When the novel begins, Tom is a mischievous child who envies Huck Finn’s lazy lifestyle and freedom. As Tom’s adventures proceed, critical moments show Tom moving away from his childhood concerns making mature, responsible decisions. While portraying the character of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain ridicules and criticizes the values and practices of the adult world toward which Tom is heading. Twain exposes the hypocrisy of social institutions such as school, church, and the law, as well as public opinion. Disobedient though he may be, Tom ends up as St. Petersburg’s hero. As the town gossips say, “[Tom] would be President, yet, if he escaped hanging”