The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (often referred to as Tom Sawyer) is a novel by Mark Twain, published on June 9, 1876. The story follows Tom Sawyer, a mischievous boy growing up along the Mississippi River. Set in the 1840s, the novel takes place in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, inspired by Hannibal, Missouri, where Twain spent his childhood.
The Plot in Short
Tom Sawyer, a mischievous and imaginative boy, lives with his Aunt Polly in the quiet town of St. Petersburg, Missouri. The story begins with Tom being punished for playing hooky; he is made to whitewash a fence as a chore. Instead of doing it himself, Tom cleverly persuades other boys to do it by making it seem like a desirable activity, trading them for various treasures. He learns a valuable lesson: that people want what is hard to get.
Tom is also a bit of a show-off, and when he attends Sunday school, he trades his accumulated treasures for tickets that allow him to claim a Bible. He memorizes a few short verses, but his mind wanders, and his thoughts are focused on playing and mischief. When he is publicly rewarded, he is seen as a model student, which he is not. He even manages to get through a tedious church sermon by focusing on the variety it offers, rather than the content.
Tom's adventures include a series of escapades, often with his best friend, Huckleberry Finn, who is considered a "pariah" by the town's adults because he is seen as idle and lawless. Tom envies Huck's freedom. One day, Tom is late to school and makes up an excuse about talking to Huck, which shocks the schoolmaster. Tom falls for a new girl named Becky Thatcher, and in an effort to impress her, he gets into trouble by scrawling on his slate and attempting to make her "whisper" a secret.
Tom and his friends often engage in imaginative play, such as acting out scenes from Robin Hood. They also make a pact to keep a secret, written in blood, and swear to never reveal it. This oath becomes significant when they witness a murder in the graveyard. Tom and Huck are terrified that they will be killed, especially when the townspeople accuse Muff Potter, an innocent man, of the crime.
Tom, Huck and Joe Harper, decide to become pirates and run away to Jackson's Island. They enjoy their newfound freedom, swimming and fishing, and experiencing a sense of adventure. They are excited by a distant sound and realize that people are looking for them thinking they have drowned. Tom leaves the island to sneak home and discovers that the town thinks they are dead. He finds a note from his Aunt Polly that makes him feel guilty. The boys decide to attend their own funeral, returning to their town with a swagger, much to the surprise of everyone.
Back in school, Tom and Joe become insufferably arrogant due to their newfound notoriety. Tom then angers Becky, and when he sees her talking to another boy he becomes jealous. A series of mishaps ensue: Alfred, the boy Becky was talking to, pours ink on Tom's spelling book, and Becky later tears a page in a book that belongs to the schoolmaster. To protect Becky, Tom takes the punishment for the torn page himself.
The boys' adventures reach a climax when Tom, having secretly witnessed the murder in the graveyard, reveals the truth during Muff Potter's trial, freeing the man and implicating Injun Joe. Injun Joe escapes, and Tom is celebrated as a hero, but he is haunted by nightmares of Injun Joe. Tom and Huck decide to hunt for buried treasure, and they attempt to interpret a treasure map. They follow Injun Joe to "Number Two" where he was supposed to find money, but they do not find it. They watch the tavern where Injun Joe stays to try and figure out what is going on.
Tom and Becky get lost in McDougal's Cave while on a picnic, and Tom becomes a hero for finding a way out. Meanwhile, Huck, who was not part of the picnic, finds the Welshman who takes him in and gives him a safe home. When the townspeople look for Injun Joe they find him dead in the cave, sealing his fate.
After the ordeal, Tom and Huck return to the cave to find the real treasure. Tom leads Huck through a secret entrance and finds the treasure "under the cross". They decide to hide the money, and when the Welshman comes to help them they tell him it's just old metal. The two boys are cleaned up and dressed and brought to a party. They reveal that the treasure belongs to them. Huck is taken in by the Widow Douglas, and Tom becomes a local hero. Although Tom is happy with the way things have turned out for him, Huck struggles with his new life of refinement and eventually runs away, only to return on the condition that he can still be part of Tom's gang. The story ends with the two boys planning their next adventure, their futures open to many possibilities.
Critical Analysis
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer can be analyzed through various critical lenses, revealing its themes, characters, and commentary on society.
Childhood and Adventure
- The novel celebrates the spirit of childhood, focusing on the freedom, imagination, and mischief of youth. Tom and his friends engage in imaginative play, such as acting out scenes from Robin Hood and becoming pirates. These games highlight the power of imagination and the desire for adventure that is characteristic of childhood.
- The adventures, such as running away to Jackson's Island and exploring the cave, emphasize the importance of freedom and independence to the boys . The boys' desire to escape the confines of their ordinary lives reflects the universal longing for adventure.
- Tom's ability to make work seem like play illustrates the way in which perception can shape one's experience. He manipulates his friends into whitewashing the fence by making it seem like a privilege rather than a chore, revealing his understanding of human psychology.
- The story contrasts the imaginative world of children with the more mundane and restrictive world of adults. The adults in the novel, such as Aunt Polly and the schoolmaster, are often portrayed as lacking the creativity and sense of wonder that the children possess.
Social Commentary
- The novel provides a commentary on the social norms and expectations of the time. The town of St. Petersburg is portrayed as a somewhat hypocritical society, where appearances often matter more than genuine morality.
- The character of Huckleberry Finn serves as a critique of societal prejudice and conformity. He is seen as an outcast by the adults of the town because he is "idle and lawless and vulgar and bad", but he is admired by the children for his freedom and independence . The novel suggests that society often punishes those who do not conform to its norms.
- The story highlights the hypocrisy of the townspeople in their treatment of Muff Potter, who is falsely accused of murder.
- The novel also satirizes the rigid and often absurd nature of the education system, shown when Tom is rewarded for memorizing verses while his mind wanders and when the schoolmaster is easily shocked by Tom's confession of speaking to Huck.
Morality and Justice
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer explores themes of good and evil, contrasting the innocence of childhood with the corruption of adults, particularly through the character of Injun Joe. Injun Joe represents a clear embodiment of evil and is the source of fear and dread in the novel.
- Tom's actions in exposing Injun Joe show his growing sense of morality and justice. He goes from being a mischievous boy to someone who takes responsibility for protecting the innocent.
- The trial of Muff Potter, in which Tom testifies to save an innocent man, highlights the importance of truth and justice.
- The story suggests that true morality is not always aligned with societal expectations and that justice requires courage and moral clarity.
Friendship and Loyalty
- The relationship between Tom and Huck is central to the story, emphasizing the importance of friendship and loyalty. Despite their differences, the two boys share a strong bond and go on many adventures together.
- Tom's relationship with Joe Harper is also important in the story, demonstrating the shared experiences and camaraderie among childhood friends.
- Tom's eventual recognition that Huck's friendship is important to him is a notable theme when Huck wants to leave his new life.
- The boys' mutual support and their willingness to stand up for one another, despite facing societal pressures, underscore the power of friendship.
Coming of Age
- The novel follows Tom's journey from childhood innocence to a more mature understanding of the world. He learns about responsibility, consequences, and the importance of truth and justice.
- Tom's experiences, such as witnessing a murder, getting lost in a cave, and testifying in court, force him to confront the darker aspects of life and grow as an individual.
- Although Tom remains a mischievous and imaginative boy, he demonstrates an increasing capacity for empathy, courage, and moral action throughout the novel.
Narrative Style and Structure
- The narrative is characterized by a humorous and lighthearted tone, reflecting the author's attempt to appeal to a young audience. The story is written in a straightforward style with an emphasis on plot and action.
- The use of colloquial language and dialect adds to the authenticity of the story and provides a window into the time period.
- The structure of the novel is episodic, with a series of interconnected adventures that drive the plot forward.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a classic work of American literature that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It explores themes of childhood, adventure, morality, and social commentary, making it a compelling read for audiences of all ages.