Tom Sawyer Point Of View Analysis

Can you imagine how the meaning of your favorite story would change if it were told by a different character’s point of view? One story that can change in this manner would be The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. In this book, Tom Sawyer makes friends with a kid named Huck and goes on sometimes dangerous adventures with him. Tom and Huck spend most of their time following various superstitions, or chasing down Injun Joe, a killer and thief, of their town, St. Petersburg. Along with his other friends, Tom makes the most of his time and has the most fun and adventure he can have. While the story is written in a third person point of view by an adult, the emotions and presentation of events would be changed greatly if it was written in
On page 169, Tom, Becky, and most of the kids in the town are going on a picnic, and the narrator briefly mentions that Huck is required to stay in town to watch the place they think Injun Joe is hiding. If this portion of the story were written from Huck's point of view, Huck would have explained how he feels left out, having to stay in town. He could describe his thoughts, attempting to convince himself that what he is doing is more important than the picnic. After watching the hideout for a while, Huck sees Injun Joe and his companion leave. On page 172, Huck is stealthily following Injun Joe and his companion towards the house of the Widow Douglas, after they leave their hideout. Huck would have explained how his adrenaline was running through him as he followed them, how he wanted to just jump out and catch them, and why he didn’t, because he knew he could not beat them. He would also write about how exciting the moment is, and how he wants to warn the Widow Douglas, but doesn’t, for fear he will lose his trail on Injun Joe and his companion. When Huck finally decides to get help, he asks Mr. Jones to catch Injun Joe, and Huck will not let Mr. Jones reveal that it is he who provided the information to save the widow (179). The narrator doesn't
An example of this is in chapter 2, when Tom is punished by having to whitewash the fence. Tom lures other children into doing his work by making the job seem fun. Tom also convinces the children to give him one of their possessions for the opportunity to partake in this “fun” activity. The current narrator does not explain what the other children are thinking. However, a child who is lured in by Tom would describe how he is upset that Tom is able to lure them into doing a task for him. The child would also express anger that they gave up one of their possessions to do work. On the other hand, the child would also talk about how he is envious of Tom for thinking of a very ingenious plan to get out of work. Another similar, but different, set of emotions would be presented in the funeral scene. After the whole town is convinced Tom, Huck, and another child drowned when they really went away to an island, they hold a funeral for them. Most people in the town show up, including the children’s friends. The three walk in, and surprise everyone that they are living (110). If a classmate of the three were the narrator of the story, this child would describe the conflicting emotions they experience, including anger at being tricked, but also happiness that their friends are alive. A different child narrator would also express envious feelings towards