PREFACE:
Are Huck and Tom based on real people?
Yes, Huck is based on one person from Twain's life, but Tom is a combination of three people in his life.
CHAPTER 1:
From what point of view is the novel written?
The novel is written from a third-person point of view because it's an outsider's perspective.
Why is Tom in trouble?
Tom is in trouble because he played hooky, gets into a fight, and doesn't go to school like he should be.
Why is Tom's aunt worried about him?
Tom's aunt is worried about him because she feels responsible and she is protective because his mother died sometime before.
What does Aunt Polly think about herself?
Aunt Polly thinks about herself that she needs to take care of Tom because she's his last hope.
Why is Tom happy?
Tom is happy because he does things like beating people up and winning and just being triumphant in general.
What does the aunt decide, and why?
The aunt decides that Tom will do a whole weekends work on Saturday because he needs to be punished.
CHAPTER 2:
Why is Tom painting the wall, even though he doesn't want to?
Tom is painting the wall even though he doesn't want to because he was being punished and painting is part of his punishment.
Why is Tom suddenly pretending to like work?
Tom is suddenly pretending to like work because he wants other people to do the work for him in exchange for something.
How did Tom turn his chores to his advantage?
Tom turns his chores to his advantage because he's making people give him stuff in return to paint the fence.
CHAPTER 3:
Did Tom successfully fool his aunt?
Tom successfully fools his aunt because she let him go out and play because she thought he accomplished his task alone.
Who is Amy Lawrence and why have Tom's feelings for her changed so suddenly?
Amy Lawrence is the judge's daughter and his feelings have changed because he's starting to look at girls a little differently.
What does the phrase "agony of pleasurable suffering" mean?
The phrase "agony of pleasurable suffering" means that he's suffering about liking this girl because he's trying to accept the feelings.
Who is the "Adored Unknown"?
The "Adored Unknown" is the girl that Tom has a crush on.
CHAPTER 4:
Why does the fact that his Sunday suit is called his "other clothes" tell us the size of his wardrobe?
The fact that his Sunday suit is called his "other clothes" tells us his wardrobe isn't very expanded and that he only had one good outfit for church.
How is Mr. Waters different on Sundays?
Mr. Waters is different on Sundays because his voice is different than it is on weekdays.
Who is the "newcomer"? Where have we seen her before?
The "newcomer" is the judge's daughter. We have seen her before in her front yard when she dropped the flower.
Explain the irony of this sentence - and what that says about Tom's town.
The irony of this sentence and what that says about Tom's town is that he likes her and because she is new.
What does Amy Lawrence realize in the above paragraph?
Amy Lawrence realizes in the above paragraph that Tom has a crush on her and he likes her now.
What does Twain mean by "the curtain of charity"?
Twain means by "the curtain of charity" that he's sparing Tom the embarrassment of what will happen next.
Are Huck and Tom based on real people?
Yes, Huck is based on one person from Twain's life, but Tom is a combination of three people in his life.
CHAPTER 1:
From what point of view is the novel written?
The novel is written from a third-person point of view because it's an outsider's perspective.
Why is Tom in trouble?
Tom is in trouble because he played hooky, gets into a fight, and doesn't go to school like he should be.
Why is Tom's aunt worried about him?
Tom's aunt is worried about him because she feels responsible and she is protective because his mother died sometime before.
What does Aunt Polly think about herself?
Aunt Polly thinks about herself that she needs to take care of Tom because she's his last hope.
Why is Tom happy?
Tom is happy because he does things like beating people up and winning and just being triumphant in general.
What does the aunt decide, and why?
The aunt decides that Tom will do a whole weekends work on Saturday because he needs to be punished.
CHAPTER 2:
Why is Tom painting the wall, even though he doesn't want to?
Tom is painting the wall even though he doesn't want to because he was being punished and painting is part of his punishment.
Why is Tom suddenly pretending to like work?
Tom is suddenly pretending to like work because he wants other people to do the work for him in exchange for something.
How did Tom turn his chores to his advantage?
Tom turns his chores to his advantage because he's making people give him stuff in return to paint the fence.
CHAPTER 3:
Did Tom successfully fool his aunt?
Tom successfully fools his aunt because she let him go out and play because she thought he accomplished his task alone.
Who is Amy Lawrence and why have Tom's feelings for her changed so suddenly?
Amy Lawrence is the judge's daughter and his feelings have changed because he's starting to look at girls a little differently.
What does the phrase "agony of pleasurable suffering" mean?
The phrase "agony of pleasurable suffering" means that he's suffering about liking this girl because he's trying to accept the feelings.
Who is the "Adored Unknown"?
The "Adored Unknown" is the girl that Tom has a crush on.
CHAPTER 4:
Why does the fact that his Sunday suit is called his "other clothes" tell us the size of his wardrobe?
The fact that his Sunday suit is called his "other clothes" tells us his wardrobe isn't very expanded and that he only had one good outfit for church.
How is Mr. Waters different on Sundays?
Mr. Waters is different on Sundays because his voice is different than it is on weekdays.
Who is the "newcomer"? Where have we seen her before?
The "newcomer" is the judge's daughter. We have seen her before in her front yard when she dropped the flower.
Explain the irony of this sentence - and what that says about Tom's town.
The irony of this sentence and what that says about Tom's town is that he likes her and because she is new.
What does Amy Lawrence realize in the above paragraph?
Amy Lawrence realizes in the above paragraph that Tom has a crush on her and he likes her now.
What does Twain mean by "the curtain of charity"?
Twain means by "the curtain of charity" that he's sparing Tom the embarrassment of what will happen next.