TOM SAWYER: STATIC OR DYNAMIC?

Harun Raffi

English 6, Period 6

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In Mark Twains The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Twain creates a rather interesting main
characterTom Sawyer. Tom Sawyer is a trickster figure who challenges the rules of
conventional society.1 At the beginning of the book, Tom was an immature and careless lad. He
often played hookey and lied to Aunt Polly every time he did. His immaturity showed when Sid
helped Aunt Polly realize Tom skipped school. The next day, Tom ambushed Sid and beat him up
with mud clods, showing his intolerance and inability to forgive. Throughout the book though,
Twain develops an excellent example of a dynamic character in Tom Sawyer.
Towards the middle of the book, one event that changes Tom as a character is the funeral. Tom,
Joe, and Huck had run away from home to Jacksons Island because they felt unwanted in their
town. After staying on the island for a while, they decide to return to St. Petersburg and attend
their own funerals. When they reveal themselves, Tom notices that no one was missing Huck. As
Aunt Polly hugged him, Tom said, Aunt Polly, it aint fair. Somebodys got to be glad to see
Huck.2 Tom knew that all the mothers of the town hated Huck and his vulgar ways. He also
knew that Huck was actually a friendly and nice child. In this scene, he shows he can be a
selfless person when he stands up for Huck. This was very dynamic because it was the first time
we actually saw him thinking about someone other than him.
Another event that shows Tom as a dynamic character is Muff Potters trial. Tom and Huck had
witnessed Injun Joe murder Dr. Robinson, and then blame it on Muff Potter. They both swear to
keep quiet about their secret, but Tom starts to feel extremely guilty. His conscience finally wins,
and the day before Muffs trial, he confessed about the secret to Muffs lawyer. While testifying

1 (Tom Sawyer-Themes and Characters n.d.)

2 (Twain 2001) p.131

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at trial, his confession ended with and as the doctor fetched the board around and Muff Potter
fell, Injun Joe jumped with the knife and3 This was a change in Toms character because he
used to lie to Aunt Polly about everything, and now he was telling the truth. Another reason this
was a huge change was that Tom knew Injun Joe was very dangerous, but he still decided to save
Muff Potters life. At this moment, Tom started to act more mature and caring then we had seen
before.
Close to the end of the book, the scene in the cave cemented Tom as a dynamic character. During
the picnic, Tom & Becky explore a cave. Unfortunately, they wander too far and get separated
from the others. They get stuck and were stranded with only some candles, kite string, and a
small piece of cake. Toms concerns increased with the realization thatBecky was very weak.
She had sunk into a dreary apathy and would not be roused.4 During this scene, Tom is stuck
between two choices. He either has to leave Becky to her death, or stay with Becky but
ultimately die himself. Nevertheless, he shows creativity and responsibility when he uses kite
string to find escape, as well as to not lose Becky. This shows great responsibility because Tom
was the one who got Becky in this nightmare, and he took responsibility for his actions and
found a way to get himself as well as Becky to safety.
Therefore, throughout The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom shows that he is an excellent dynamic
character. At the funeral scene, Tom made the change from being a selfish, arrogant child to
being a selfless, nice lad. During Muff Potters trial, Tom made the change from lying to Aunt
Polly about jam, to saving Muff Potters life by confessing about Injun Joes homicide. Lastly,

3 Ibid. p171
4 Ibid. p.228

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Tom & Beckys escape from the cave showed how he had transformed from an immature child
into a caring and responsible adolescent. During this book, Tom seems to become a much more
honest and good person, showing his dynamic changes as a person and as a character. Tom gets
himself into trouble on numerous occasions. Its true! But, he also demonstrates a certain degree
of honesty and goodness.5

5 (Swan 2014)

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Swan, Katharine. "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." Classic Lit. 2014.

http://classiclit.about.com/od/tomsawyercrit/fr/aa_tomsawyer.htm (accessed 12 2, 2014).
"Tom Sawyer-Themes and Characters." Novel Explorer. n.d. http://www.novelexplorer.com/tomsawyer/themes-and-characters-70/ (accessed 12 2, 2014).
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. New York: Random House, Inc., 2001.