Tom Sawyer Compare And Contrast Essay

Comparison Essay Challenging situations are perfect opportunities to learn about someone's true character. In the stories, “Survival” by John Hersey, and Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, both main characters, Tom Sawyer and John F. Kennedy encounter difficult and trying situations. John F. Kennedy was the heroic character and Tom Sawyer showed us the ups and downs of our adventurous side. “Survival”, by John Hersey, was a difficult book to get through because it tells the true story about events that occurred in World War II. Previous President John F. Kennedy, referred to as Jack, is the main character in the story. After his torpedo was split in two by Japanese fighter ships Jack and his men were stranded, wounded, and some almost too weak to continue. The courageous John F. Kennedy knew he was their only hope and one night while they were on the island, he decided to look for other U.S. ships in the near water. It was a risk, but he continued on even swimming into the water. While swimming his body grew weak due to starvation …show more content…
Kennedy both share the important trait of bravery. Both John and Tom experience the daring task of escaping impractical situations without the help of anyone or thing except their willpower. John proved his bravery when he was searching for U.S. ships off the shore of the island he and his men found themselves stranded on. “Kennedy took off his shoes and swam into the waters.” (Hersey 322). This line shows that Jack was not scared of what lay beneath the water or what may be ahead of him. In Tom Sawyer, Tom showed he was not scared of a challenge even if he had to do it alone. “He followed a third [avenue] to the stretch of his kite line, and was about to turn back when he glimpsed a far off speck that looked like daylight” (Twain 12). This quote enhances Tom’s quality of bravery showing that he would continue to search even when he may have felt