Charnie Thatcher Quotes In The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer

The Risks Becky Thatcher Takes

In a study with subjects, pens that were either gag shock pens or normal ones were given to average people, and when given the chance, more people took the chance with the shock pen then being safe. We take risks for a reason, though- for a reward, as shown in the book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. There may be a small chance of getting whatever we want- maybe a souvenir, the words “Yep, I did that”, or maybe just to subside our friend curiosity and figure out what it feels like- but whatever it is, us humans will take the chance. In the book, many risks are taken by the characters. Each risk help carry the story through a journey down a metaphoric river Twain has created by developing not only

the character that took the risk, but others that had interacted with him/her. Becky Thatcher, one of Twain’s characters, takes many reckless risks to be with Tom. She tries her best to make him love her, and takes risks for him or with him, helping their relationship (whether she knows it or not). Because Becky is human and naturally curious, she takes many risks, some wise, while others are foolish.
Becky Thatcher was in love when she makes the decision to be “engaged” to Tom.

It all started with Tom capturing her attention. The idea was, once they told each other that they loved them, and kissed, they would never love someone else for the rest of their lives. “No, I’ll never love anybody but you, Tom, and I’ll never marry anybody but you- and you ain't to ever marry anybody but me, either” (51). The risk was made because Becky was convinced by Tom that he really wanted her, and that maybe he was her soulmate. A possible reward for Becky was she could really be in love with Tom, but a consequence is Tom could just be messing with her and becoming “engaged” just as a joke. Once Tom sticks up for her many times, she realizes that he is a good match for her, and her decision was made

wisely.
Another risk is taken when Becky, out of curiosity, decides to look at Mr. Dobbins’ book. “She glanced around; found herself alone, and the next instant she had the book in her hands” (124). When Becky gets the chance to finally see what was in Mr. Dobbins’ book, she takes the chance and looks through it. She takes that chance because her curiosity got the best of her, and she would finally be able to figure out what her teacher was always reading in class. The main reward Becky would get is she would find out what he was reading, but a very high risk is she could damage it (as that’s what happened) causing her teacher to realize someone had looked through it. But when that happened, Tom took that chance to maybe get Becky back, and take the blame, even after Becky had let him get in trouble.
The third risk was taken towards the end of the book when Becky, rather foolishly, decides to stay with Tom and spend time with the Widow Douglas instead of doing what her mother wanted,which was to immediately after, go and spend the night at the Harpers. “But shucks! Your mother won’t know, and so what’s the harm? All she wants is for you to be safe; and I bet you she’d ’a’ said you go there if she’d ’a’ thought of it. I know she would!” (169). Mrs. Thatcher knew that when the party ended, it would be late, so she told Becky to spend the night at the Harper’s house, but Becky disobeys and goes to spend the night with Tom. She takes that risk so she can play with Tom and get close to him, but there could be the result of that foolish choice with her mother finding out, and both Tom and Becky getting in trouble.
The final risk that is taken by Becky is when she and Tom leave the group in the cave and go off, playing with themselves.

When Becky and Tom were at the party in the cave, they decided to have some fun of their own, and be a little irresponsible, so they leave the group to play by themselves. The risk was taken because Becky wanted to be with Tom without anybody else around in the cave. “Tom, Tom, we’re lost! We never can get out of this awful place! Oh, why did we ever leave the others!” (186). The possible reward that was in Becky’s head when she agreed to go play with Tom was they have tons of fun, and nobody could make up any rules for them. But there’s still a big risk. If they weren’t responsible enough, like they were when they made this choice, they could be late getting to the boat and left behind, or get

lost.
Overall, Becky was affected by all of the choices, foolish and wise, that she made. She grew into a smarter, wiser person, that would not only tell her adventures to her grandchildren, but also teach them the lessons she learned. Plus, as a mother, she wouldn’t have her kids go through the same experience. Even though Becky didn’t always make the right choices, she always had the right intentions, because she was only trying to be with Tom, and show to him that she would do anything for him. If she hadn’t made those choices, she wouldn’t have been able to recognize what Tom really was like, and Tom would’ve never won back her heart.