Tom Sawyer Hero

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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Molly Childers In the story of, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," Tom's adventures taught him many lessons that prepared him for adulthood and the consequential decisions he would have to face that would save Potter, and his friends because he chose to be unselfish for them, regardless of how it affects him. Thomas Sawyer is the hero of this story because he takes different actions than the antagonist to help others. He starts as a charming, reckless little boy who is full of silly childish pranks and he draws everyone he meets into the fun. Despite these initially consequence-free games, his adventuring starts to get him and his friends into trouble. The biggest threat is the antagonist: Injun Joe, a half-breed …show more content…

"Tom's fearful secret and gnawing conscience disturbed his sleep as much as a week after this," states page 153. His guilty silence towards the false arrest moves him to start helping Muff. As said on page 156, "Every day or two, during this time of sorrow, Tom watched his opportunity and went to the little grated jail-window and smuggled such small comforts through to the "murderer" as he could get hold of." This shows Tom looking for the things that would comfort Muff. Even though nine chapters ago, he treasured and hoarded these very same things. Tom has put Muff's needs above his own because he is emphatic towards other people; a trait Injun Joe wouldn't be caught dead wearing. In conclusion, Tom is very different from Injun Joe. He chooses to take great caution to never hurt anyone else because Tom looks after others, and knows what is wrong, due to his empathetic nature and kindness. Another major difference between the two characters is that Tom is the only one who shows mental growth and maturity. In the beginning, Tom shows the naivete of a child, with his interest in make-believe superstitions. In Chapter 6, Tom and Huck discuss ways to get rid of …show more content…

Tom's whole structure of faith was shaken to its foundations." This shows us how Tom is maturing and molding himself into a powerful, brave, and generous man. One of the biggest acts of selfishness Tom does is on page 237. He chooses to be forgiving and takes responsibility, including punishment, for something Becky did because he wants to demonstrate how much he cares about her despite their fights. The last act of defining maturity is the central climax. In this story, the climax is internal; the trial of Muff Potter is starting so Tom is again struck with guilt and anxiety. He and Huck meet and discuss what they are going to do. Neither boy wants an innocent man to be hanged, but they are still terrified of Injun Joe. They have to decide if they will risk his wrath or stand up for what is right, and save Potter. Tom's lessons throughout the novel prepare him for this final test, and he is again unselfish and determines to save Potter. At the trial, Tom testifies to his true account of what happened in the graveyard. Everyone slowly starts to realize Injun Joe

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