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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page essay that discusses Twain's Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain's most famous book is Huckleberry Finn and critics agree that it is a greater literary achievement than its predecessor The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876). However, this work, which Twain referred to as a "hymn" to boyhood, has always been more widely read than Huck (Rasmussen 216). A factor in Tom Sawyer's perennial popularity is undoubtedly due to the fact that this novel demonstrates the social, physical and emotional struggles of the human maturation process, as the reader follows Tom's growth throughout the narrative. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
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3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khmttom.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Sawyer (1876). However, this work, which Twain referred to as a "hymn" to boyhood, has always been more widely read than Huck (Rasmussen 216). A factor in Tom Sawyers perennial
popularity is undoubtedly due to the fact that this novel demonstrates the social, physical and emotional struggles of the human maturation process, as the reader follows Toms growth throughout the
narrative. Twain quickly establishes that his tale is different from the "good boy-bad boy types of nineteenth-century novels," as his story presents a young Adam, both bad and good" (Smylie
484). Tom is a real boy, not a stereotype for Victorian didactic purposes. He gets into scrapes and resists the civilizing influence of his Aunt Polly. As with many young
males, Tom is a supreme egotist, but through the medium of Twains third-person narration, which gives the reader access to Toms thoughts and motivations, he becomes "fully human" (Scott 188).
For example, when Tom is faced with whitewashing Aunt Pollys fence rather than join his friends in swimming or other summer adventures, he is miserable. With clear insight into
human nature, Tom realizes that what is defined as "work" in human society is largely founded on ones point of view. Tom entices other boys to whitewash the fence for
him--and pay for the privilege. Tom realizes that "Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do and that Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to
do" (Twain 33). Tom Sawyer includes all of the trials, tribulations and pleasures of growing toward young adulthood. He "runs away, smokes, plays pirate, and dreams of finding treasure"
(Smylie 484). He yearns for his "Adored Unknown Eve, who turns out to be Becky Thatcher" (Smylie 484). Tom takes a giant step forward toward maturation when he witnesses Injun
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