Tom Sawyer

One of the most interesting aspects I found in reading Tom Sawyer is how likable a character he is, yet all he does is create mischief and trick those around him for his own personal gain. Even through all of his deceptive ways, we all still love him. However, when reading Ragged Dick, although many still like him, there were more feelings of distrust toward him. They are, essentially, the same character with extremely similar characteristics. Both are excellent performers of trickery and seem to always get their way. One of the main differences, however, that I feel contribute of our likeness to Tom is because he is a country boy, and Ragged Dick is from the city. Throughout all the stories we have read, we seem to perceive the south having innocence, whereas the north is full of distrusting people only out for themselves. Also, they both have different motives for deceiving others. Ragged Dick was actually out on the streets, with no parents or someone looking out for him, and his reasons for tricking others was for economic gain. In Tom's case, we see him more as just a kid doing what kids do. Instead of receiving actually money, his gain is the wealth of childhood. Twain narrates, " Tom was literally rolling in wealth. He had besides the things before mentioned, twelve marbles, part of a jew's harp, a piece of blue bottle glass to look through, a spool cannon, a key that wouldn't unlock anything..." (18). Tom was not receiving money, rather things of little value for children. I think we see Tom as more innocent because we see him acting as the average kid would. It is emotionally appealing to see a character like Tom and remind us of childhood.