The pros and cons of tom sawyer. Mark Twain "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer": description, characters, analysis of the work

1. Mark Twain as the creator of a unique image.
2. Advantages and disadvantages of the hero.
3. Tom Sawyer is one of the most beloved heroes in world literature.

Perhaps there is no more or less literate person in the world who has not read the novel by the famous American prose writer M. Twain. He created many wonderful works, such as “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn”, “The Prince and the Pauper”, “Joan of Arc” and others. But it is “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” that is best known and loved by adult and young readers all over the world. What is the secret of such great and long-lasting popularity? It seems to me that it lies in the enormous charm that the author’s talented pen endowed on the image of this restless, restless boy.

In world literature there are a great many images of boys - adventurers, but Twain's hero is unique and original. At first glance, he is a completely ordinary boy from a small provincial American town. Like thousands and millions of his neighbors, Tom does not like to do household chores, hates going to school, prefers shabby clothes to a smart suit, and as for shoes, he tries to do without them. Attending church and especially Sunday school is real torture for him. Tom has a lot of friends who are just as naughty as he is. His intelligent head is constantly filled with all kinds of fantasies and inventions. Most likely, if the boy's parents were alive, he would have grown up more obedient and less wayward. The old maid - Aunt Polly - with all her efforts could not cope with the restless nephew entrusted to her care. But it was precisely this freedom that allowed Tom to remain a sincere, spontaneous, organic being. Of course, he is characterized by cunning, he can lie without any remorse, “steal” a delicacy without permission, but with all this, it is almost impossible to get angry with him.

At first glance, Tom Sawyer is the same ordinary boy as most of his peers. And yet he is a special hero, since Twain endowed him with all the most wonderful qualities that can only be inherent in a teenager.

Tom loves Aunt Polly dearly. Not knowing how to pacify his inclinations, the boy nevertheless worries if he sees that he is causing his aunt anxiety and grief. This is characterized by a sense of justice. He does not tolerate pretense, hypocrisy, or insincerity. That is why the obedient brother Sid often becomes the object of Tom's hostility. Sometimes the boy is overcome by the desire to become a good, “correct” child; it is not his fault that he most often fails to curb his irrepressible temper. What Tom Sawyer has in common with all the boys in the world is that he does not tolerate boredom, routine, or monotony. He will always prefer spanking or other physical punishment to cramming and sadness at a church service. This is a lively, impressionable nature with a rich imagination.

Not every adult is capable of admitting that he is wrong, but anyone can do it. Repenting of his escape from home, the boy convinces his friends to return to the city.

Tom Sawyer has many extraordinary character traits. One of them is his entrepreneurial spirit. It’s not for nothing that the episode with the fence has become a textbook one. Here the boy shows remarkable abilities as a psychologist and organizer. Leadership qualities are generally inherent in Tom. He easily manages to inspire his less inventive and brave friends to take risky actions. Tom is able to wholeheartedly sympathize with those who undeservedly suffer insult and injustice. Despite his fear of Injun Joe, Tom, along with his bosom friend Huckleberry Finn, risking their lives, helps out the hapless Muff Potter by testifying in court. Not every adult is capable of such a brave act committed by a sympathetic boy. This, in my opinion, is true heroism.

Another episode that shows us Tom at his best is the pages about him getting lost in the cave with Becky Thatcher. The boy managed to keep his cool and find a way out, while still constantly supporting, comforting and encouraging the girl. In the finale, Tom helps neutralize a gang of bandits and save the life of a respectable townswoman.

The author rewards his hero - Tom becomes a rich man, a heroic figure, and deserves the respect of the most prominent townspeople. However, even this last test the boy passes with flying colors. He does not become arrogant, does not boast of his heroism and wealth. This is still a spontaneous teenager full of charm.

Saying goodbye to him, the reader remains convinced that Tom Sawyer will retain all his best qualities, become a wonderful person and, having turned into an adult man, will do many more wonderful things.

The image of the main character in the novel by M. Twain. Perhaps there is no more or less literate person in the world who has not read the novel by the famous American prose writer M. Twain. He created many wonderful works, such as “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn”, “The Prince and the Pauper”, “Joan of Arc” and others.

But it is “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” that is best known and loved by adult and young readers all over the world. What is the secret of such great and long-lasting popularity? It seems to me that it lies in the enormous charm that the author’s talented pen endowed on the image of this restless, restless boy.

In world literature there are a great many images of boys - adventurers, but Twain's hero is unique and original. At first glance, he is a completely ordinary boy from a small provincial American town. Like thousands and millions of his neighbors, Tom does not like to do household chores, hates going to school, prefers shabby clothes to a smart suit, and as for shoes, he tries to do without them. Attending church and especially Sunday school is real torture for him. Tom has a lot of friends who are just as naughty as he is. His intelligent head is constantly filled with all kinds of fantasies and inventions. Most likely, if the boy's parents were alive, he would have grown up more obedient and less wayward. The old maid - Aunt Polly - with all her efforts could not cope with the restless nephew entrusted to her care. But it was precisely this freedom that allowed Tom to remain a sincere, spontaneous, organic being. Of course, he is characterized by cunning, he can lie without any remorse, “steal” a delicacy without permission, but with all this, it is almost impossible to get angry with him.

At first glance, Tom Sawyer is the same ordinary boy as most of his peers. And yet he is a special hero, since Twain endowed him with all the most wonderful qualities that can only be inherent in a teenager.

Tom loves Aunt Polly dearly. Not knowing how to pacify his inclinations, the boy nevertheless worries if he sees that he is causing his aunt anxiety and grief. This is characterized by a sense of justice. He does not tolerate pretense, hypocrisy, or insincerity. That is why the obedient brother Sid often becomes the object of Tom's hostility. Sometimes the boy is overcome by the desire to become a good, “correct” child; it is not his fault that he most often fails to curb his irrepressible temper. What Tom Sawyer has in common with all the boys in the world is that he does not tolerate boredom, routine, or monotony. He will always prefer spanking or other physical punishment to cramming and sadness at a church service. This is a lively, impressionable nature with a rich imagination. Not every adult is capable of admitting that he is wrong, but anyone can do it. Repenting of his escape from home, the boy convinces his friends to return to the city.

Tom Sawyer has many extraordinary character traits. One of them is his entrepreneurial spirit. It’s not for nothing that the episode with the fence has become a textbook one. Here the boy shows remarkable abilities as a psychologist and organizer. Leadership qualities are generally inherent in Tom. He easily manages to inspire his less inventive and brave friends to take risky actions.

Tom is able to wholeheartedly sympathize with those who undeservedly suffer insult and injustice. Despite his fear of Injun Joe, Tom, along with his bosom friend Huckleberry Finn, risking their lives, helps out the hapless Muff Potter by testifying in court. Not every adult is capable of such a brave act committed by a sympathetic boy. This, in my opinion, is true heroism.

Another episode that shows us Tom at his best is the pages about him getting lost in the cave with Becky Thatcher. The boy managed to keep his cool and find a way out, while still constantly supporting, comforting and encouraging the girl. In the finale, Tom helps neutralize a gang of bandits and save the life of a respectable townswoman.

The author rewards his hero - Tom becomes a rich man, a heroic figure, and deserves the respect of the most prominent townspeople. However, even this last test the boy passes with flying colors. He does not become arrogant, does not boast of his heroism and wealth. This is still a spontaneous teenager full of charm.

Saying goodbye to him, the reader remains convinced that Tom Sawyer will retain all his best qualities, become a wonderful person and, having turned into an adult man, will do many more wonderful things.

Composition

1. Mark Twain as the creator of a unique image.
2. Advantages and disadvantages of the hero.
3. Tom Sawyer is one of the most beloved heroes in world literature.

Perhaps there is no more or less literate person in the world who has not read the novel by the famous American prose writer M. Twain. He created many wonderful works, such as “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn”, “The Prince and the Pauper”, “Joan of Arc” and others. But it is “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” that is best known and loved by adult and young readers all over the world. What is the secret of such great and long-lasting popularity? It seems to me that it lies in the enormous charm that the author’s talented pen endowed on the image of this restless, restless boy.

In world literature there are a great many images of boys - adventurers, but Twain's hero is unique and original. At first glance, he is a completely ordinary boy from a small provincial American town. Like thousands and millions of his neighbors, Tom does not like to do household chores, hates going to school, prefers shabby clothes to a smart suit, and as for shoes, he tries to do without them. Attending church and especially Sunday school is real torture for him. Tom has a lot of friends who are just as naughty as he is. His intelligent head is constantly filled with all kinds of fantasies and inventions. Most likely, if the boy's parents were alive, he would have grown up more obedient and less wayward. The old maid - Aunt Polly - with all her efforts could not cope with the restless nephew entrusted to her care. But it was precisely this freedom that allowed Tom to remain a sincere, spontaneous, organic being. Of course, he is characterized by cunning, he can lie without any remorse, “steal” a delicacy without permission, but with all this, it is almost impossible to get angry with him.

At first glance, Tom Sawyer is the same ordinary boy as most of his peers. And yet he is a special hero, since Twain endowed him with all the most wonderful qualities that can only be inherent in a teenager.

Tom loves Aunt Polly dearly. Not knowing how to pacify his inclinations, the boy nevertheless worries if he sees that he is causing his aunt anxiety and grief. This is characterized by a sense of justice. He does not tolerate pretense, hypocrisy, or insincerity. That is why the obedient brother Sid often becomes the object of Tom's hostility. Sometimes the boy is overcome by the desire to become a good, “correct” child; it is not his fault that he most often fails to curb his irrepressible temper. What Tom Sawyer has in common with all the boys in the world is that he does not tolerate boredom, routine, or monotony. He will always prefer spanking or other physical punishment to cramming and sadness at a church service. This is a lively, impressionable nature with a rich imagination.

Not every adult is capable of admitting that he is wrong, but anyone can do it. Repenting of his escape from home, the boy convinces his friends to return to the city.

Tom Sawyer has many extraordinary character traits. One of them is his entrepreneurial spirit. It’s not for nothing that the episode with the fence has become a textbook one. Here the boy shows remarkable abilities as a psychologist and organizer. Leadership qualities are generally inherent in Tom. He easily manages to inspire his less inventive and brave friends to take risky actions. Tom is able to wholeheartedly sympathize with those who undeservedly suffer insult and injustice. Despite his fear of Injun Joe, Tom, along with his bosom friend Huckleberry Finn, risking their lives, helps out the hapless Muff Potter by testifying in court. Not every adult is capable of such a brave act committed by a sympathetic boy. This, in my opinion, is true heroism.

Another episode that shows us Tom at his best is the pages about him getting lost in the cave with Becky Thatcher. The boy managed to keep his cool and find a way out, while still constantly supporting, comforting and encouraging the girl. In the finale, Tom helps neutralize a gang of bandits and save the life of a respectable townswoman.

The author rewards his hero - Tom becomes a rich man, a heroic figure, and deserves the respect of the most prominent townspeople. However, even this last test the boy passes with flying colors. He does not become arrogant, does not boast of his heroism and wealth. This is still a spontaneous teenager full of charm.

Saying goodbye to him, the reader remains convinced that Tom Sawyer will retain all his best qualities, become a wonderful person and, having turned into an adult man, will do many more wonderful things.

Other works on this work

"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" is a wonderful book, magical, mysterious. It is beautiful primarily for its depth. Every person at any age can find something of their own in it: a child - a fascinating story, an adult - Mark Twain’s sparkling humor and memories of childhood. The main character of the novel appears in a new light during each reading of the work, i.e. The characterization of Tom Sawyer is always different, always fresh.

Tom Sawyer is an ordinary child

It is unlikely that Thomas Sawyer can be called a hooligan; rather, he is a mischief-maker. And, more importantly, he has the time and opportunity to do everything. He lives with his aunt, who, although she tries to keep him strict, is not very good at it. Yes, Tom is punished, but despite this, he lives quite well.

He is smart, resourceful, like almost every child of his age (about 11-12 years old), you just have to remember the story with the fence, when Tom convinced all the children in the area that work is a sacred right and privilege, and not a heavy burden.

This characterization of Tom Sawyer reveals that he is not a very bad person. Further, the personality of the most famous inventor and mischief-maker will be revealed with more and more new facets.

Friendship, love and nobility are not alien to Tom Sawyer

Another virtue of Sawyer - the ability to love and sacrifice - appears before the reader in all its glory when the boy discovers that he loves. For her sake, he even makes a sacrifice: he exposes his body to the blows of the teacher's rods for her misconduct. This is a wonderful characteristic of Tom Sawyer, which highlights his sublime attitude towards the lady of his heart.

Tom Sawyer has a conscience. He and Huck witnessed a murder, and even despite the not at all illusory danger to their lives, the boys decided to help the police and rescue poor Muff Potter from prison. The act on their part is not only noble, but also courageous.

Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn as a confrontation between the world of childhood and the world of adulthood

Why is Tom like this? Because he's doing relatively well. Tom, although difficult, is a beloved child, and he knows it. Therefore, almost all the time he lives in the world of childhood, in the world of dreams and fantasies, only occasionally looking into reality. The characteristics of Tom Sawyer in this sense are no different from those of any other prosperous teenager. Such a conclusion can be made only if we correlate the two images - For Sawyer, fantasy is like the air he breathes. Tom is full of hope. There is almost no disappointment in him, so he believes in made-up worlds and made-up people.

Huck is completely different. He has a lot of problems, no parents. Or rather, there is an alcoholic father, but it would be better not to have him. For Huck, his father is a source of constant worry. His parent, of course, disappeared several years ago, but it is known for certain that he did not die, which means that he can appear in the city at any moment and begin to abuse his miserable son again.

For Huck, fantasies are opium, thanks to which life is still somehow bearable, but an adult cannot live in a world of illusions all the time (and Finn is exactly like that).

Sawyer is even a little sorry because he doesn’t know how things really are. His world manages without tragedy, while Huck's existence is a constant struggle. Just like an ordinary adult: he leaves the world of childhood and realizes that he has been deceived. Thus, another characterization of Tom Sawyer is ready.

What kind of adult would Tom be?

A tempting question for all those who have read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. But it seems that it is not for nothing that the story about the boys does not say anything about their adult lives. There may be at least two reasons for this: either there will be nothing remarkable in these lives, or for some, life will not present any pleasant surprises. And all this can happen.

What will Tom Sawyer be like? The characterization could be like this: in the future he is an ordinary, ordinary person without any special achievements in life. His childhood is full of various adventures, but by and large they always happened in some comfort zone, and this allowed Tom to constantly fabricate fantasies.

With Huck it's a different story. At the end of the adventures, Finn leaves the bourgeois world, where satiety and morality reign, into the world of the streets, where freedom reigns, in his opinion. The tramp boy does not tolerate boundaries. But it is impossible to live forever outside the framework and breathe only the air of freedom, because any life needs one form or another. If a separate vessel (person) is not limited, it will break out, destroying the vessel itself. Simply put, if Huck does not choose a certain value system for himself, he may well become an alcoholic and die under the fence, like his dad, or perish in a drunken brawl. Adult life is not as bright as the life of a child, which is a pity.

On this not very happy note, Tom Sawyer says goodbye to us. The characterization of the hero ends here.

The work of the famous American publicist and writer Mark Twain about the adventures of two boys still remains the most beloved and read all over the world. And not only a favorite work for boys, but also for adults who remember their mischievous childhood. This is the story of young America, whose romanticism still touches boys all over the world.

The history of writing "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"

The first work in the series of adventures of American boys was published in 1876, the author at that time was just over 30 years old. Obviously, this played a role in the brightness of the book’s images. America at the end of the 19th century had not yet gotten rid of slavery, half of the continent was “Indian territory,” and boys remained boys. According to many testimonies, Mark Twain described himself in Tom, not only his real self, but also all his dreams of adventure. The real feelings and emotions are described that worried the boy of that time, and which continue to worry the boys today.

The main characters are two friends, Tom, who is being raised by his lonely aunt, and Huck, a city street child. Inseparable in their fantasies and adventures, both boys are typical images, but the main character remains Tom Sawyer. He has a younger brother, more rational and obedient, he has school friends, and a boyish crush - Becky. And like any boy, the main events in life are connected with a thirst for adventure and first love. An ineradicable thirst constantly draws Tom and Huck into dangerous adventures, some of which, of course, are fictional by the author, some are real events. Things like running away from home or going to a cemetery at night are easy to believe. And these adventures, interspersed with descriptions of ordinary boyish everyday life, ordinary pranks, joys and annoyances, become reality thanks to the genius of the author. The description of American life at that time is impressive. What is lost in the modern world is democracy and the spirit of freedom.

Chronicle of Young America (plot and main idea)

A town on the banks of the Mississippi, in which residents mixed into a single society, despite differences in property, race and even age. Negro Jim, in slavery to Aunt Polly, mestizo Injun Joe, Judge Thacher and his daughter Becky, street child Huck and rascal Tom, Doctor Robenson and undertaker Potter. Tom's life is described with such humor and with such naturalness that the reader forgets in which country it happens, as if he is remembering what happened to himself.

The boy Tom Sawyer, together with his younger brother, who is clearly more positive than him, is raised by his old aunt after the death of his mother. He goes to school, plays on the street, fights, makes friends and falls in love with a beautiful peer, Becky. One day he met his old friend Huckleberry Fin on the streets, with whom they had a deep debate about ways to remove warts. Huck told a new method of mixing using a dead cat, but it is necessary to visit the cemetery at night. This is where all the significant adventures of these two tomboys began. Previously occurring conflicts with his aunt, entrepreneurial ideas with receiving a bonus Bible at Sunday school, whitewashing the fence as a punishment for disobedience, which Tom successfully transformed into personal success, fade into the background. Everything except love for Becky.

Having witnessed a fight and a murder, two boys for a long time doubt the need to bring everything they saw to the attention of adults. Only sincere pity for the old drunkard Potter and a sense of universal justice force Tom to speak at the trial. By doing so, he saved the life of the accused and put his own life in mortal danger. Injun Joe's revenge is a very real threat for the boy, even under the protection of the law. Meanwhile, Tom and Becky's romance began to crack, and this distracted him from everything else for a long time. He suffered. It was finally decided to run away from home from unhappy love and become a pirate. It’s good that there is a friend like Huck who agrees to support any adventure. A school friend, Joe, also joined them.

This adventure ended as it should have. Tom's heart and Huck's rationality forced them to return to the town from the island on the river after they realized that the whole town was looking for them. The boys returned just in time for their own funeral. The joy of the adults was so great that the boys were not even given a beating. Several days of adventure brightened up the boys' lives with the memories of the author himself. After that, Tom was sick, and Becky went away for a long time and far away.

Before the start of the school year, Judge Thacher threw a luxurious party for the children in honor of the birthday of his returning daughter. A trip on a river boat, a picnic and a visit to caves, this is something even modern children could dream about. Here Tom's new adventure begins. Having made peace with Becky, the two of them run away from the company during a picnic and hide in a cave. They got lost in passages and grottoes, the torch that lit their way burned out, and they had no provisions with them. Tom behaved courageously, this reflected all his enterprise and responsibility as a growing man. Quite by accident, they came across Injun Joe hiding the stolen money. After wandering around the cave, Tom finds a way out. The children returned home to the joy of their parents.

The secret seen in the cave haunts him, Tom tells Huck everything, and they decide to check the Indian's treasure. The boys go to the cave. After Tom and Becky safely got out of the maze, the city council decided to close the entrance to the cave. This became fatal for the mestizo; he died in the cave from hunger and thirst. Tom and Huck carried away a whole fortune. Since the treasure did not belong to anyone in particular, two boys became its owners. Huck received the protection of the widow Douglas, coming under her tutelage. Tom is also rich now. But Huck was able to endure “high life” for no more than three weeks, and Tom, who met him on the shore near the barrel hut, openly declared that no wealth could keep him from becoming a “noble robber.” The romanticism of the two friends had not yet been suppressed by the “golden calf” and the conventions of society.

The main characters and their characters

All the main characters of the story are the thoughts and feelings of the author, his memories of childhood, his sense of that very American dream and universal human values. When Huck complained that he could not live in idleness, Tom answered him uncertainly: “But everyone lives like that, Huck.” In these boys, Mark Twain describes his attitude to human values, to the value of freedom and understanding between people. Huck, who has seen more bad things, shares with Tom: “It’s just embarrassing for all people,” when he talks about the insincerity of relationships in high society. Against the romantic background of a story about childhood, written with good humor, the writer clearly outlines all the best qualities of a little person, and the hope that these qualities will remain for life.

A boy raised without a mother or father. The author does not reveal what happened to his parents. According to the story, one gets the impression that Tom gained all his best qualities on the street and at school. Aunt Poly's attempts to instill in him basic behavioral stereotypes cannot be crowned with success. Tom is the ideal boy and tomboy in the eyes of boys all over the world. On the one hand, this is hyperbole, but on the other hand, having a real prototype, Tom really carries within himself all the best that a growing man can carry within himself. He is brave, with a keen sense of justice. In many episodes, he displays precisely these qualities in difficult life situations. Another feature that cannot affect the feelings of an American. This is savvy and enterprise. All that remains is to remember the story of whitewashing the fence, which is also a far-reaching project. Burdened with various boyish prejudices, Tom looks like a completely ordinary boy, which captivates the reader. Everyone sees a small reflection of themselves in it.

A homeless child with a living father. The drunkard appears in the story only in conversations, but this already somehow characterizes the living conditions of this boy. Tom's constant friend and faithful companion in all adventures. And if Tom is a romantic and a leader in this company, then Huck is a sober mind and life experience, which is also necessary in this tandem. An attentive reader has the impression that Huck is described by the author as the other side of the coin of a growing person, a citizen of America. Personality is divided into two types - Tom and Huck, which are inseparable. In subsequent stories, the character of Huck will be revealed more fully, and often, in the reader’s soul, these two images are mixed and always receive sympathy.

Becky, Aunt Polly, Negro Jim and half-breed Injun Joe

These are all people with whom the best in the protagonist’s character is revealed. Tender love in a girl of the same age and real care for her in moments of danger. A respectful, although sometimes ironic, attitude towards the aunt, who spends all her strength to raise Tom as a real respectable citizen. A Negro slave, who is an indicator of America at that time and the attitude towards slavery of the entire progressive public, because Tom is friends with him, justifiably considering him an equal. The author’s, and therefore Tom’s, attitude towards Injun Joe is far from clear. The romance of the Indian world was not yet so idealized at that time. But internal pity for the mestizo who died of hunger in the cave characterizes not only the boy. The realities of the Wild West are visible in this image; a cunning and cruel mestizo takes revenge with his life on all whites. He is trying to survive in this world, and society allows him to do so. We do not see the deep condemnation that it would seem should have been for a thief and murderer.

Continuation of the epic adventure

Later, Mark Twain wrote several more stories about Tom and his friend Huck. The author grew up along with his heroes, and America changed too. And in subsequent stories there was no longer that romantic recklessness, but more and more of the bitter truth of life appeared. But even in these realities, Tom, Huck, and Becky retained their best qualities, which they received in childhood on the banks of the Mississippi in a small town with the distant name of the Russian capital - St. Petersburg. I don’t want to part with these heroes, and they remain ideals in the hearts of the boys of that era.