TOM SAWYER

Gwyneth Cunningham

2/3/2015

English 6, Period 3

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Although Tom Sawyer is a fun-loving prankster, there is much more to him than just that.

At the beginning of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom is a very selfish child who only worries

about himself. For example, when Tom is watching his bug in church and a dog sits upon it, the

dog is bitten by the bug but Tom was only worried about himself and his bug. The main

character, Tom, constantly searches for new adventures, new tricks to play, or new ways to break

the rules without getting into trouble.1 In time, Tom changes and he finally finds out what is

actually important. In this book, Mark Twain created a dynamic character, Tom, who in time

changes from a childish kid to a mature, caring person.

Later in the story, Tom feels compassion for Huck when they walk into their funeral and

nobody seems glad to see Huck. As the boys walk in, they are greeted with a very warm

welcome, everyone is glad to see them, well, except for Huck. At this moment, Tom feels

compassion for Huck because he and Joe are getting lots of hugs and kisses, while Huck stands

awkwardly to the side and is about to leave, but Tom seized him and said: Aunt Polly, it

aint fair. Somebodys got to be glad to see Huck. 2 After Tom tells Aunt Polly this, she makes

an effort to make Huck feel good as well. Tom is thinking about Huck, not himself, which is a

big step for Tom. Not only did Tom just think about Huck, he also did something about it which

is a sign of change. This is a change in Tom and is a trait that was not there before.

In the middle of the story, Tom is very courageous when he tells the truth about the

murder saving Muff Potters life. Tom glanced at Injun Joes iron face and his tongue failed

him.3As Tom tells the real story, Injun Joe jumps out the window. Tom needed courage to tell

the truth, and he did just that. Tom has been courageous before, but this is a different kind, this

1 (Swan 2014)

2 (Twain 2001) p131

3 Ibid. p.170.

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time he is only worried about Muff not himself. This is a very selfless act and very brave. Tom is

very brave in this scene standing up for Muff.

Lastly, Tom tells Huck he has to go back to the widow Douglas so he can be respectable

and in a gang with him. Just as dead earnest as Im a-sitting here. But Huck, we cant let you

into the gang if you aint respectable, you know.4 Tom is thinking about Huck and looking out

for him. Huck wants to be in Toms gang so he decides to go back to the widow Douglass

house. Tom is very caring and considerate by thinking about Huck and finding a good way to

convince him. Thanks to Tom, Huck will lead a much better life. This shows Tom as a truly

considerate, kind, and caring person.

Mark Twain created a character named Tom who is selfish and childish but then becomes

a brave and thoughtful person as the story develops. At first, Tom is only concerned with

himself. At their funeral, Tom shows compassion towards Huck by making sure he felt loved. In

the trial scene, Tom is very courageous by standing up for Muff even though he knows what

might happen. Lastly, Tom was caring and considerate which was a very different trait for Tom

and he showed it when he told Huck to go back to the Widows house. Tom gains recognition

for genuine heroism.5 As the story of Tom Sawyer develops so does the character of Tom, as he

changes from a self-centered child to a caring young man.

4 Ibid. p.254.

5 (Novel Summaries Analysis n.d.)

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

"Novel Summaries Analysis." Novel Explorer. n.d. http://www.novelexplorer.com/tom-

sawyer/themes-and-characters-70/ (accessed 12 02, 2014).

Swan, Katharine. "'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' Review." Classic Lit. 2014.

http://classiclit.about.com/od/tomsawyercrit/fr/aa_tomsawyer.htm (accessed 12 02,

2014).

Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. New York: Frank Conroy, 2001.