Tom Sawyer

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

• Published 1876• Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens, 1835-1910)• Hannibal, Missouri – Twain’s hometown• Novel’s setting – “St. Petersburg”

PLOT

• plot—sequence of events in which each event results from a previous one and causes the next

• What is the plot of Tom Sawyer?• Hmmm, is there a plot?• “episodic” – episodes, fragments, anecdotes• “a stringing together of remembrances”• List subplots

A Missouri Childhood

• Is it a memoir?• Did the author have a good childhood?• Is it a children’s book? Who is the audience?• Twain said written for adults

Adults in Tom Sawyer

• How are adults written about?• What does the author think of adults?• Adults in book - list• Satire• Scenes where human flaws are exposed – social

critique – satire• Tom is the agent for exposing the shortcomings and

shortsightedness of the adult population• Social criticism of Hannibal and the American rural life

it represents

Tom – Good Boy or Bad Boy?

• Fundamentally a “good boy” although acts out in “bad” ways

• Gradually reveals Tom’s inner goodness• Conscience – testifies at Muff Potter’s trial• Compassion towards Becky in the cave• “Foils” – Sid, Willie (the Model Boy), St. Louis

smarty

Tom and Community

• Action never farther than a few miles from the community

• Drawn back to community:• Pirate – returns• Appearance at funeral• Only character who negotiates the divide

between children and adults• Only one who speaks to both sides

Moving Toward Adulthood?

• Becky• Coming into wealth• Persuades Huck to go to the Widow’s