A CHARACTER CHANGE IN TOM SAWYER

Lucy Krumsick
6
th
Grade Literature
4/11/2014




Parent Signature_______________________________________________________




Lucy, 2

Most characters in this book have very different personalities. Examples of these characters
from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer are Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn (Huck). The main
character, Tom, has many changes throughout the book. He started as an uncaring, selfish, and
mischievous young boy. We can see these character traits when Tom was in the schoolhouse
and stole Mr. Dobbins wig leaving him with a bald, gilded head. However, he changed into a
caring, smarter, and more mature boy. An example of these character traits shows when Tom
and Becky had wondered too far and got lost in a cave; Tom comforted Becky at the worst of
times.
The first example of when Tom starts caring for others is when the children were in the
schoolhouse. Becky had ripped one of the pages in Mr. Dobbins anatomy book. Mr. Dobbins
had found it and started to question each child, when he got to Becky, she was paralyzed with
fright. Rebecca Thatcher, [Tom glanced at her face it was white with terror,] did you tear
no, look me in the face [her hands rose in appeal] did you tear this book? A thought shot
like lightning through Toms brain. He sprang to his feet and shouted I done it!
1
The only
person Tom would do this for is Becky. I thought this showed a caring change in Tom because
he stopped thinking of himself for once. He knew he would have to endure the punishment, but
he did not want Becky to have endure it.
The second example of a caring act Tom did was when he and Huck brought things to Muff
Potter while he was staying in his cell. The boys did as they had often done before went to
the cell grating and gave Potter some tobacco and matches.
2
Both Tom and Huck took part in
this act. This act showed caring by putting others before him and realizing what was right to do.
Tom wanted to show Muff that it would be all right and how the boys could help.
The last example of a caring act from Tom was when he was lost in a cave. He put Becky as
his first

priority. He sat down by her and put his arms around her; she buried her face in his
bosom, she clung to him, she poured out her terrors, her unavailing regrets, and the far echoes
turned them all too jeering laughter.
3
This showed he was only caring for her, not himself. The
only thought running through Toms mind was how to keep Becky safe and alive.
In conclusion, although Tom only cared for himself in the beginning, he turned out to actually
care for others and this was first shown in the schoolhouse. Becky tearing the page and being
whipped would not work for Tom. In addition, Muff Potter being uncomfortable and awaiting
the worst could not happen according to Tom. Last of all, Becky dying in that cave was not even
imaginable for him. Overall, I think that Tom had changed dramatically. I hope that Tom can
grow up to be smart about his actions and think before he does something.




1
Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (New York: Modern Library Paperback
Edition, 2001), 150.

2
Ibid., 166.

3
Ibid., 223.
Lucy, 3



BIBLIOGRAPHY
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. New York: Modern Library Paperback Edition,
2001




















Lucy, 4

Outline 1 First Draft
I. Introduction
A. The characters in this book have very different personalities.
B. Examples of these characters from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer are Tom and Huck.
C. The main character, Tom, has many changes throughout the book.
D. He started as an uncaring, selfish, and mischievous young boy.
E. We can see these character traits when Tom was in the schoolhouse and stole Mr. Dobbins wig
leaving him with a bald, gilded head.
F. However, he changed into a caring, smarter, and more mature boy.
G. An example of these character traits is when Tom and Becky had wondered too far and got lost in a
cave; Tom comforted Becky at the worst of times.
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. The first example of when he starts caring for others is when Becky had ripped one of the pages in Mr.
Dobbins anatomy book.
B. Mr. Dobbins started to question each child, and when he got to Becky, she was paralyzed with fright.
C. Rebecca Thatcher, [Tom glanced at her face it was white with terror,] did you tear no, look
me in the face [her hands rose in appeal] did you tear this book? A thought shot like lightning
through Toms brain. He sprang to his feet and shouted I done it! (Page 150)
D. I thought this showed a caring change in Tom because he stopped thinking of himself for once.
E. He knew he would have to endure the punishment, but he did not want Becky to have endure it.
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. The second example of a caring act Tom did was when he and Huck brought things to Muff Potter
while he was staying in his cell.
B. The boys did as they had often done before went to the cell grating and gave Potter some tobacco
and matches. (Page 166)
C. This act showed caring by putting others before him and realizing what was right to do.
D. Tom wanted to show Muff that it would be all right and how the boys could help.
IV. Body Paragraph 3
A. The last example of a caring act from Tom was when he was lost in a cave with Becky and he put her
as his first

priority.
B. He sat down by her and put his arms around her; she buried her face in his bosom, she clung to him,
she poured out her terrors, her unavailing regrets, and the far echoes turned them all too jeering
laughter. (Page 223)
C. This showed he was only caring for her, not himself.
D. The only thought running through Toms mind was Becky and how to keep her alive.
V. Conclusion
A. In conclusion, although Tom was selfish in the beginning, he turned out to actually care for others.
B. Becky tearing the page and being whipped would not work for Tom.
C. In addition, Muff Potter being uncomfortable and awaiting the worst could not happen according to
Tom.
D. Last of all, Becky dying in that cave was not even imaginable for him.
E. Overall, I think that Tom had changed dramatically.
F. I hope that Tom can grow up to be smart about his actions and think before doing.


Lucy, 5

Outline 2 Sentence Length
I. Introduction
A. The characters in this book have very different personalities.
B. Examples of these characters from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer are Tom and Huck.
C. The main character, Tom, has many changes throughout the book.
D. He started as an uncaring, selfish, and mischievous young boy.
E. We can see these character traits when Tom was in the schoolhouse and stole Mr. Dobbins wig leaving him with a bald, gilded
head.
F. However, he changed into a caring, smarter, and more mature boy.
G. An example of these character traits is when Tom and Becky had wondered too far and got lost in a cave; Tom comforted Becky
at the worst of times.
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. The first example of when he starts caring for others is when Becky had ripped one of the pages in Mr. Dobbins anatomy book.
B. Mr. Dobbins started to question each child, and when he got to Becky, she was paralyzed with fright.
C. Rebecca Thatcher, [Tom glanced at her face it was white with terror,] did you tear no, look me in the face [her
hands rose in appeal] did you tear this book? A thought shot like lightning through Toms brain. He sprang to his feet and
shouted I done it! (Page 150)
D. I thought this showed a caring change in Tom because he stopped thinking of himself for once.
E. The only person Tom would do this for is Becky.
F. He knew he would have to endure the punishment, but he did not want Becky to have endure it.
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. The second example of a caring act Tom did was when he and Huck brought things to Muff Potter while he was staying in his
cell.
B. The boys did as they had often done before went to the cell grating and gave Potter some tobacco and matches. (Page 166)
C. Both Tom and Huck took part in this act.
D. This act showed caring by putting others before him and realizing what was right to do.
E. Tom wanted to show Muff that it would be all right and how the boys could help.
IV. Body Paragraph 3
A. The last example of a caring act from Tom was when he was lost in a cave with Becky and he put her as his first

priority.
B. He sat down by her and put his arms around her; she buried her face in his bosom, she clung to him, she poured out her terrors,
her unavailing regrets, and the far echoes turned them all too jeering laughter. (Page 223)
C. This showed he was only caring for her, not himself.
D. The only thought running through Toms mind was Becky and how to keep her alive.
V. Conclusion
A. In conclusion, although Tom was selfish in the beginning, he turned out to actually care for others.
B. Becky tearing the page and being whipped would not work for Tom.
C. In addition, Muff Potter being uncomfortable and awaiting the worst could not happen according to Tom.
D. Last of all, Becky dying in that cave was not even imaginable for him.
E. Overall, I think that Tom had changed dramatically.
F. I hope that Tom can grow up to be smart about his actions and think before doing










Lucy, 6

Outline 3 Transitions and Variety of Sentence Starters
I. Introduction
A. Characters in this book have very different personalities.
B. Examples of these characters from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer are Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry
Finn (Huck).
C. The main character, Tom, has many changes throughout the book.
D. He started as an uncaring, selfish, and mischievous young boy.
E. We can see these character traits when Tom was in the schoolhouse and stole Mr. Dobbins wig
leaving him with a bald, gilded head.
F. However, he changed into a caring, smarter, and more mature boy.
G. An example of these character traits is when Tom and Becky had wondered too far and got lost in a
cave; Tom comforted Becky at the worst of times.
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. The first example of when he starts caring for others is when Becky had ripped one of the pages in Mr.
Dobbins anatomy book.
B. Mr. Dobbins started to question each child, and when he got to Becky, she was paralyzed with fright.
C. Rebecca Thatcher, [Tom glanced at her face it was white with terror,] did you tear no, look
me in the face [her hands rose in appeal] did you tear this book? A thought shot like lightning
through Toms brain. He sprang to his feet and shouted I done it! (Page 150)
D. The only person Tom would do this for is Becky.
E. I thought this showed a caring change in Tom because he stopped thinking of himself for once.
F. He knew he would have to endure the punishment, but he did not want Becky to have endure it.
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. The second example of a caring act Tom did was when he and Huck brought things to Muff Potter
while he was staying in his cell.
B. The boys did as they had often done before went to the cell grating and gave Potter some tobacco
and matches. (Page 166)
C. Both Tom and Huck took part in this act.
D. This act showed caring by putting others before him and realizing what was right to do.
E. Tom wanted to show Muff that it would be all right and how the boys could help.
IV. Body Paragraph 3
A. The last example of a caring act from Tom was when he was lost in a cave with Becky and he put her
as his first

priority.
B. He sat down by her and put his arms around her; she buried her face in his bosom, she clung to him,
she poured out her terrors, her unavailing regrets, and the far echoes turned them all too jeering
laughter. (Page 223)
C. This showed he was only caring for her, not himself.
D. The only thought running through Toms mind was Becky and how to keep her alive.
V. Conclusion
G. In conclusion, although Tom was selfish in the beginning, he turned out to actually care for others.
H. Becky tearing the page and being whipped would not work for Tom.
I. In addition, Muff Potter being uncomfortable and awaiting the worst could not happen according to
Tom.
J. Last of all, Becky dying in that cave was not even imaginable for him.
K. Overall, I think that Tom had changed dramatically.
L. I hope that Tom can grow up to be smart about his actions and think before doing.

Lucy, 7

Outline 4 Content of Body and Mechanics
I. Introduction
A. Most characters in this book have very different personalities.
B. Examples of these characters from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer are Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry
Finn (Huck).
C. The main character, Tom, has many changes throughout the book.
D. He started as an uncaring, selfish, and mischievous young boy.
E. We can see these character traits when Tom was in the schoolhouse and stole Mr. Dobbins wig
leaving him with a bald, gilded head.
F. However, he changed into a caring, smarter, and more mature boy.
G. An example of these character traits shows when Tom and Becky had wondered too far and got lost in
a cave; Tom comforted Becky at the worst of times.
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. The first example of when Tom starts caring for others is when the children were in the schoolhouse.
B. Becky had ripped one of the pages in Mr. Dobbins anatomy book.
C. Mr. Dobbins had found it and started to question each child, when he got to Becky, she was paralyzed
with fright.
D. Rebecca Thatcher, [Tom glanced at her face it was white with terror,] did you tear no, look
me in the face [her hands rose in appeal] did you tear this book? A thought shot like lightning
through Toms brain. He sprang to his feet and shouted I done it! (Page 150)
E. The only person Tom would do this for is Becky.
F. I thought this showed a caring change in Tom because he stopped thinking of himself for once.
G. He knew he would have to endure the punishment, but he did not want Becky to have endure it.
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. The second example of a caring act Tom did was when he and Huck brought things to Muff Potter
while he was staying in his cell.
B. The boys did as they had often done before went to the cell grating and gave Potter some tobacco
and matches. (Page 166)
C. Both Tom and Huck took part in this act.
D. This act showed caring by putting others before him and realizing what was right to do.
E. Tom wanted to show Muff that it would be all right and how the boys could help.
IV. Body Paragraph 3
A. The last example of a caring act from Tom was when he was lost in a cave.
B. He put Becky as his first

priority.
C. He sat down by her and put his arms around her; she buried her face in his bosom, she clung to him,
she poured out her terrors, her unavailing regrets, and the far echoes turned them all too jeering
laughter. (Page 223)
D. This showed he was only caring for her, not himself.
E. The only thought running through Toms mind was Becky and how to keep her alive.
V. Conclusion
A. In conclusion, although Tom only cared for himself in the beginning, he turned out to actually care for
others and this was first shown in the schoolhouse.
B. Becky tearing the page and being whipped would not work for Tom.
C. In addition, Muff Potter being uncomfortable and awaiting the worst could not happen according to
Tom.
D. Last of all, Becky dying in that cave was not even imaginable for him.
E. Overall, I think that Tom had changed dramatically.
F. I hope that Tom can grow up to be smart about his actions and think before he does something.