Tom admits that his actions were mean, but he didn’t intend to be mean; instead, he came over, he tells her, to let her know that she should not be uneasy about him. Aunt Polly believes it is another lie, but Tom is earnest that he came only “to keep […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 19-20Summary and Analysis Chapters 17-18
Suddenly, “there was a rustle in the gallery” and with the creaking of the door, the entire congregation rises and stares at the three boys alive and walking down the aisle, first Tom and then Joe followed by Huck in his “drooping rags.” Aunt Polly smothers Tom with affection; she […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 17-18Summary and Analysis Chapters 15-16
That night, the boys are awakened by an approaching, driving storm. They take shelter under the inland tent until the tent blows away. Then they huddle together under an oak tree. After the fierceness of the storm abates, they return to their camp and find it destroyed. They realize that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 15-16Summary and Analysis Chapters 13-14
When they meet at the appointed place, each boy identifies himself by his assumed pirate name; then they “borrow” (or capture) a small log raft to take them to Jackson’s Island where they make camp. The following afternoon, the boys hear an unusual sound–a “deep, sullen boom came floating down […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 13-14Summary and Analysis Chapter 12
Later, when Tom sees Becky at school, he performs all sorts of antics to attract her attention, but she ignores him. Analysis This chapter acts as an interlude between the Injun Joe murder plot and the future plot involving the boys on Jackson’s Island. With the episode about the painkillers, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 12Summary and Analysis Chapters 9-11
Tom and Huck run to the old tannery, where they discuss the dilemma they’re in. They both realize that if they reveal Injun Joe as the murderer, he will kill them. The boys take an oath to not reveal what they have seen. Suddenly, they hear a stray dog barking. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 9-11Summary and Analysis Chapters 6-8
Tom arrives at school late and, as punishment, he must sit in the girls’ section. He does not mind, however, because the only empty seat is next to Becky Thatcher. Tom draws pictures for her, writes a love note to her, and is so smitten that he doesn’t study his […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 6-8Summary and Analysis Chapters 4-5
The monotony of church is broken by a large black beetle that pinches a dog, causing it to clamor up and down the aisles like a rocket. The dog then lands in its master’s lap, and the master tosses it out the window. Analysis Tom, a very bright boy, has […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 4-5Summary and Analysis Chapter 3
At supper that night, when Aunt Polly is out of the room, Sid accidentally breaks the sugar bowl. Tom is pleased because now the precious Sid will be punished, but when Aunt Polly sees the broken dish, she whips Tom until he points out that Sid broke it. Although Aunt […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 3Summary and Analysis Chapter 2
Analysis In this chapter, Tom reveals his basic knowledge of human psychology; that is, that a person most desires what cannot be easily attained. Tom is also a fine actor, and he cleverly uses this ability in handling his friends. Thus, Tom is able to use this basic understanding of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 2