Notes on "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"

Chapter I

• Aunt Polly's Search for Tom

  • Aunt Polly cannot find Tom and looks for him under the bed and outside in the garden.
  • She catches him trying to escape with an apple in his pocket.
  • Aunt Polly acknowledges Tom's mischievous nature but loves him.
  • Saturday is not a holiday for Tom; he has to work.

• Tom's Painting Dilemma

  • Tom faces the chore of painting a long fence.
  • Initially unhappy about the work, he comes up with a clever idea to get his friends to do it for him.
  • Tom pretends painting the fence is fun, attracting friends who want to join in.
  • He trades for items like apples and balls, becoming rich in treasures.

• Aunt Polly's Approval

  • When Aunt Polly sees the beautifully painted fence, she is pleased and rewards Tom with an apple.

Chapter II

• Tom's Encounter with Huck Finn

  • Tom meets Huck, who has a dead cat, believing it can summon ghosts.
  • They plan to meet at Huck's window at 11 PM.

• School Mishaps

  • Tom is late for school and must face the teacher's punishment.
  • He sees a new girl, Becky Thatcher, and instantly falls in love.
  • After misbehavior, Tom is sent to sit with the girls, creating a scene with laughter from the classmates.

• Interactions with Becky

  • Tom makes an attempt to impress Becky during class by drawing pictures.

Chapter III

• The Graveyard Incident

  • Tom and Huck sneak out to the graveyard at night.
  • They witness a grave robbery by Injun Joe and Muff Potter, culminating in a violent conflict.

• The Aftermath

  • Muff Potter is mistakenly accused of the murder, and Tom and Huck grapple with their conscience regarding the incident.

Chapter IV

• Summer Adventures
  • The boys, troubled by their secret, decide to run away to Jackson's Island for adventure.
  • They enjoy fishing, swimming, and living freely without parental oversight.

Chapter V

• The Picnic and the Cave
  • Becky Thatcher's birthday is spent on a picnic followed by exploring McDougal's cave.
  • Tom and Becky get lost in the cave after some adventurous exploration and are separated from their friends.

Chapter VI

• Searching for Treasure
  • Tom and Huck decide to look for the treasure they believe Injun Joe has hidden.
  • They find the cross but are unable to locate the actual treasure.

Chapter VII

• The Return from the Cave
  • After several days in the cave, Tom and Becky are rescued.
  • The village celebrates their return, believing they are heroes.

Chapter VIII

• Muff Potter's Trial
  • Tom wrestles with his conscience during Muff's trial and ultimately reveals the truth about the murder.
  • Injun Joe escapes, leaving the boys anxious about his intentions.

Chapter IX

• Finding the Treasure
  • Tom and Huck eventually locate the treasure hidden by Injun Joe.
  • They become wealthy and are celebrated in St. Petersburg.