The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer
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Mark Twain uses the story to reveal his own childhood; as a result, many details in the book, such as the characters and the setting are very dear to his heart. The story is about life in a boys world, it tells about the feelings Mark Twain had regarding his childhood, his town, and the people that lived there. The time period is about twenty years before the Civil War, and the setting is in St. Petersburg, Missouri, a small community on the Mississippi River.
The main character in the book is Tom Sawyer. Throughout the book, the author compares himself to Tom and his adventures. Tom is all boy he hates anything that places limits on his boyhood freedom including, church, school, and chores and he will do anything to get out of them. Toms character is a dynamic one. Harper Academic states, “A good student? A polite nephew? A hard worker? Not Tom Sawyer. He never wanted to be the model boy. His sights were set on being a pirate, a robber, or a treasure seeker. He wanted a life of excitement, but never thought hed be a witness to a murder! Now Tom and his buddy Huckleberry Finn are in for the adventure of their lives” (www.harperacademic.com/).
Next to Tom Sawyer, Injun Joe is the next important character in the book. Toms reactions to Injun Joe we plainly see Toms growth from a boy into a young man. Injun Joe is a thieving, dishonest, wicked person who achieves most of his evil goals because he is also clever and resourceful. He kills Dr. Robinson without reservations and for no obvious reason except for pure evil pleasure. A Teachers Guide states, “A fight breaks out between Doc and Injun Joe, and Injun Joe kills the doctor with a knife. Because Muff has been drinking heavily and is not very sure what has happened, Injun Joe convinces Muff that he killed the doctor” (www.tpac.org/education/hot/guidebooks/GBTomSawyer). He frames old Muff Potter, and he is smart enough to make the townspeople believe that his story is true. His reputation is such than none of the townspeople will confront him with his evil. All the people of St. Petersburg know that he is evil; each is too frightened to confront him because they, like Tom and Huck, know that he will get revenge in a violent manner. Injun Joe is the same at the end as he is in the beginning; he does not vary through the course of the events in which he is involved. He plans to harm the Widow Douglas in retaliation for something her late husband did years earlier. Twains states in the story “He had me horsewhipped! – horsewhipped in front of the jail, like a nigger! – with all the town looking on! Horse whipped! – do you understand? He took advantage of me and died. But Ill take it out on her” (Twain, 236). Injun Joe is vital to the novels main adventure.
Huckleberry Finn is Toms partner in crime. Together, they go on adventures that ultimately guide them into dangerous situations. They first find themselves in danger when they go to the cemetery one night. They are witnesses to a grave robbery being done by three men, Dr. Robinson, Injun Joe, and Muff Potter. A quarrel takes place between the three men, and Muff Potter is knocked unconscious. Tom and Huck swear to keep the event a secret. Tom hears that Injun Joe has accused Muff Potter of the murder; he realizes that he must testify against him. During the trial, Injun Joe escapes, and the two boys begin to fear for their lives. Once again, Tom and Huck find themselves in danger, when they find the hideout of Injun Joe and his accomplice. Tom and Huck hear the two men talking and find