The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The story is primarily lighthearted, but there are moments of violence and extreme cruelty. Doctor Robinson’s murder is gruesome, as is Injun Joe’s description of how he wants to disfigure the Widow Douglas. Compare and contrast the comical world of the children as it merges with the darker, sometimes violent realities of the adults and their crimes.

When Tom sees Becky Thatcher, he is immediately in love and forgets about Amy Lawrence. What is it about Becky that enthralls him? Why is he so certain about his feelings for her?

Why are Tom and Huck such good friends? How are they alike? In what ways are they different?

Mark Twain serves as the story’s narrator and often intrudes into the text with his observations about religion, human nature, and the joys of childhood. Why does he employ this narrative device? Do you find it effective? Why or why not?

Tom and Huck claim great familiarity with spells, charms, witches, haunted houses, and ghosts. Discuss the role that superstition plays in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Why is Tom so eager for notoriety? Why is he able to let Aunt Polly suffer when she thinks he has died, rather than easing her suffering and coming home sooner?

The Widow Douglas shows an affinity for Huck long before she learns that he spared her from Injun Joe’s revenge. Why does she want him to live with her? Why is it important to her to try to give him a better life?

What is your impression of Mark Twain’s view on various social institutions, such as organized religion, the legal system, and the schoolhouse? Does he seem more interested in reforming or in abolishing the groups that he mocks?