Adventures of Tom Sawyer Overview 1. Children’s story Nostalgic look at childhood in pre-Civil War days 3. Record of superstitions

Adventures of Tom Sawyer Overview (cont.) Satire of social institutions (church and school) Tom’s process of maturing and growing up

Themes Adolescence: conflicts of growing up, infatuation with Becky, pranks and games Religion: important element in society, religious values of towns-people Small Town America: typical 19th century town, different types of people, people help each other

Themes (cont.) Superstitions: Tom and Huck’s deep beliefs, references to ghosts and haunted houses Education: Descries/pokes fun of formal education, learning is a maturing process