The adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain is a classic bildungsroman that can be relevant for people of all ages. The main theme of the topic is a moral and social maturation that the main character, Tom, goes through. Being away from society as a child who did not realize the consequences of his actions, he returned home with a more adult view on his relationships with the community.
The book tells about Tom Sawyer’s adventures that start with Becky Thatcher refusing to marry him. Tom got angry and runs away and meets with his friend Huckleberry Finn at the graveyard where they witnessed murder and false victiming. Even though they swore not to tell about the incident, Tom spoke against the murderer, Injun Joe, at the trial putting concerns about himself over those about others. His adventures to Jackson’s Island prepared him to return home with a wiser outlook.
Twain positioned Tom as a character who is on the border of adulthood and childhood. Tom moves from enjoyment to childish games like Indians and Chiefs to events that need a high level of moral integrity (Twain & Stoneley, 1998). Moreover, his love for Becky went beyond his youth and showed his caring and mature attitude when he took the punishment and blamed her.
To conclude, The adventures of Tom Sawyer is a story of maturing whose principal subjects are intellectual, psychological and moral maturing. Tom is a character who moves from childish endeavors and then grows up to the point where he is able to make responsible commitments and decisions. It could be observed in the scenes where he stood against Injun Joe and protected Becky Thatcher.
Reference
Twain, M., & Stoneley, P. (2007). The adventures of Tom Sawyer. Oxford University Press.