Chapter 11 in my opinion is the most important chapter in the novel. In this chapter, the audience becomes aware of Tom’s fearfulness and lack of courage. Tom is one of the only witnesses to the murder but he is too scared to speak up against Injun Joe. Tom would rather have Muff Potter rot in jail, than to lay witness to Injun Joe in court. “…Their wavering impulse to break their oath and save the poor betrayed prisoner’s life faded and vanished away…” This quote characterizes Tom and Huck’s fear and unwillingness to save Muff Potter. This chapter lays the foundation of Tom’s change in character and demeanor. Tom was always the class clown and always played pranks on his friends and classmates. Later in the novel however, we see Tom become
