why did tom talk to the lawyer tom sawyer

A series of witnesses testifies to Potter’s peculiar behavior, and in each case Potter’s lawyer declines to cross-examine. Finally, Potter’s lawyer calls Tom Sawyer as a witness for the defense, much to everyone’s amazement. Tom, deeply frightened, takes the witness stand and tells the court what he saw that night.

Full Answer

Why should I read Tom Sawyer?

Reading Tom Sawyer today is an invitation to talk about how American childhood has and hasn't changed—and also to laugh at Twain's enduring invention of a great American comic voice. "Now the raft was passing before the distant town.

What happened to the judge in Tom Sawyer?

The judge suffers a relapse and dies that night. Vacation begins to drag. Becky Thatcher has gone to the town of Constantinople to stay with her parents, and the various circuses, parades, and minstrel shows that pass through town provide only temporary entertainment. The secret of Dr. Robinson’s murder still tugs at Tom’s conscience.

How does Tom's moral integrity emerge in this chapter of Tom Sawyer?

During Muff Potter's time in jail and throughout much of the trial, all the evidence seems to prove Muff Potter's guilt, and, until the last day of the trial, Tom's chief concern is for his own safety. In this chapter, however, we see Tom's moral integrity emerge.

What is Tom Sawyer's most courageous act?

On the witness stand, in spite of the real danger to himself, Tom bravely tells the truth. This is his most mature, heroic, and courageous action. The trial scene is presented almost entirely from Tom's point of view.

What did Tom tell the court?

Tom tells the court about what he saw that night in the graveyard; he is careful not to mention Huck, and the lawyers have even tracked down the dead cat's skeleton as proof of the story.

Who does Tom Sawyer have a conversation with?

Summary—Chapter 15: Tom's Stealthy Visit Home At home, Tom finds Aunt Polly, Sid, Mary, and Mrs. Harper sitting together. He hides under a bed and listens to their conversation.

What does Tom Sawyer say when he is on the witness stand?

When Tom is called to the witness stand, we realize that Tom has revealed to Muff Potter's defense lawyer what he witnessed in the cemetery on the night of the murder. On the witness stand, in spite of the real danger to himself, Tom bravely tells the truth. This is his most mature, heroic, and courageous action.

What disease does Tom Sawyer have?

And Tom is not merely ODD. He clearly has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder—ADHD—as well, judging by his inability to concentrate in school. “The harder Tom tried to fasten his mind on his book, the more his mind wandered,” Twain writes at one point.

What was Tom's great secret?

THAT was Tom's great secret—the scheme to return home with his brother pirates and attend their own funerals.

Why does Tom feel he needs to force some talk?

Tom's reflections grew oppressive. He must force some talk. So he said in a whisper: "Hucky, do you believe the dead people like it for us to be here?"

What did Tom tell the judge the night before the trial?

At Muff's trial, Tom tells the judge that Injun Joe killed the doctor.

What does Tom do after Aunt Polly falls asleep?

Tom sticks around to hear Aunt Polly's troubled murmuring as she falls asleep. He considers leaving his sycamore scroll at her bedside, but decides against it. He leaves her with a kiss as she sleeps. Tom's tender kiss is sincere indication that he feels for his aunt—so much so that he almost acts responsibly.

What was Tom doing with the pain killer?

Tom's depression worsens, so much so that Aunt Polly begins to worry about his health. She gives him various ineffective “treatments,” which culminate in an awful-tasting serum called “Pain-killer.” Tom finds this last treatment so intolerable that he feeds it to the cat, which reacts with extreme hyperactivity.

Why did Tom not Sid stir him?

Answer: Tom asked his brother, Sid not to stir him because his toe was paining and he would die if stirred.

How did Tom get Sid's attention?

Answer: Sid was sleeping and Tom tried to get his attention by groaning but he didn't woke up. Then he groaned louder but of no use. Then Tom called Sid by his name and finally drew his attention.

How did Aunt Polly pull out Tom's tooth?

Aunt Polly tied one end of the silk thread to Toms tooth with a loop and tied the other end to the bedpost. Then she caught hold of the chunk of fire and suddenly pushed it almost into Tom's face. The tooth then hung loosely by the bedpost.

What do Tom and Huck agree to in the Muff Potter trial?

Muff Potter’s trial approaches, and Tom and Huck agonize about whether they should reveal what they know. They agree that Injun Joe would kill them, so they continue to help Potter in small ways, bringing him tobacco and matches and feeling guilty when he thanks them for their friendship. The trial finally arrives, and Injun Joe gives his account of the events. A series of witnesses testifies to Potter’s peculiar behavior, and in each case Potter’s lawyer declines to cross-examine. Finally, Potter’s lawyer calls Tom Sawyer as a witness for the defense, much to everyone’s amazement. Tom, deeply frightened, takes the witness stand and tells the court what he saw that night. When he reaches the point in the story where Injun Joe stabs the doctor, Injun Joe leaps from his seat, pulls free of everyone, and escapes through a window.

Why does Tom join the Cadets of Temperance?

At the beginning of summer, Tom joins the Cadets of Temperance in order to wear one of their showy uniforms. Unfortunately, to join he must swear off smoking, tobacco chewing, and cursing—prohibitions that prove very difficult. He resolves to hang on until Judge Frazier, the justice of the peace, dies, because then he can wear his red sash in the public funeral. When the judge recovers, Tom resigns from the Cadets. The judge suffers a relapse and dies that night.

Who is the witness in the Potter trial?

A series of witnesses testifies to Potter’s peculiar behavior, and in each case Potter’s lawyer declines to cross-examine. Finally, Potter’s lawyer calls Tom Sawyer as a witness for the defense, much to everyone’s amazement.

Who stabs the doctor in the movie?

Tom, deeply frightened, takes the witness stand and tells the court what he saw that night. When he reaches the point in the story where Injun Joe stabs the doctor, Injun Joe leaps from his seat, pulls free of everyone, and escapes through a window.

Was Tom a hero?

Tom was a glittering hero once more— the pet of the old, the envy of the young. . . . There were some that believed he would be President, yet, if he escaped hanging.

Overview

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is not merely a literary classic. It is part of the American imagination. More than any other work in our culture, it established America's vision of childhood. Mark Twain created two fictional boys, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, who still seem more real than most of the people we know.

More Details about the Book

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is not merely a literary classic. It is part of the American imagination. More than any other work in our culture, it established America's vision of childhood. Mark Twain created two fictional boys, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, who still seem more real than most of the people we know.

Discussion Questions

How do you think American childhood has and hasn't changed since the 1840s?

What does Tom decide about Becky?

Tom decides that fame and "glory" is quite enough for him and he doesn't need Becky's attention any more. When she arrives, he ignores her and pours special attention on Amy Lawrence. As Tom did earlier, Becky now tries to get Tom's attention by showing off, by inviting other children to her picnic.

Who smothers Tom in the gallery?

Suddenly, "there was a rustle in the gallery" and with the creaking of the door, the entire congregation rises and stares at the three boys alive and walking down the aisle, first Tom and then Joe followed by Huck in his "drooping rags.". Aunt Polly smothers Tom with affection; she even embraces Huck Finn.

Why does Alfred pour ink over Tom's book?

For his part, Alfred realizes that he has been used, and, for revenge, he pours ink over Tom's book at the passage for the day's lesson. Becky glances into the schoolroom in time to witness Alfred's treachery, but she decides to let Tom be punished because of the way he treated her earlier. Analysis.

What did Tom say to himself?

Tom said to himself that it was not such a hollow world, after all. He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it – namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain.

When was Tom Sawyer whitewashing the fence?

Tom Sawyer Whitewashing the Fence. From Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, Chapter Two, 1876. Frontispiece from the first edition of 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' 1876. Saturday morning was come, and all the summer world was bright and fresh, and brimming with life. There was a song in every heart; and if the heart was young the music issued at the lips.

What was Tom's bucket of whitewash?

Tom appeared on the sidewalk with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence, and all gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow, and existence but a burden.

Who surveyed his last touch with the eye of an artist?

No answer. Tom surveyed his last touch with the eye of an artist, then he gave his brush another gentle sweep and surveyed the result, as before. Ben ranged up alongside of him. Tom ’s mouth watered for the apple, but he stuck to his work.

Who bought in for a dead rat and a string to swing it with?

By the time Ben was fagged out, Tom had traded the next chance to Billy Fisher for a kite, in good repair; and when he played out, Johnny Miller bought in for a dead rat and a string to swing it with – and so on, and so on, hour after hour.

What does Tom do to Becky?

Tom then persuades Becky to disobey her mother and go with him to the Widow Douglas’s house instead, where the kind woman will probably give them ice cream and let them spend the night. As they take the ferry down the river, Tom worries briefly that Injun Joe may go out that night, and he may miss the action.

What chapter does Huck save the widow?

Summary—Chapter 29 : Huck Saves the Widow. The next day, the Thatchers return from Constantinople. When Tom sees Becky, he learns that her picnic is planned for the following day, so the Injun Joe predicament drops to secondary importance. The children plan to go downriver to a famous cavern, and Becky’s mother tells Becky to spend ...

What happens in the second tavern?

In the second tavern, room number two remains locked all the time. The tavern-keeper’s son claims that no one ever enters or leaves the room except at night. He claims to have noticed a light on in the room the previous night. The boys decide to find all the keys they can and try them in the room’s back door.

Why is the room off limits in the movie?

The boys realize that the room must be off-limits because it is where the tavern secretly serves whiskey. The boys decide that Huck will watch the room every night. If Injun Joe leaves, Huck will get Tom, who will sneak in and take the treasure.