The structure of this novel is unlike many other novels. But, the main focal point or structure of the novel is the maturation of the main character Tom. Essentially, Tom goes through four main lines of action. In each of these four lines of action, Tom starts off as an immature young boy, then he goes through this particular scene, where at the end he commits an act of maturity. These four lines of action in the novel can be seen as the Tom and Becky love story, the Muff Potter scene, the Jackson’s Island adventure(s), and the Injun Joe story. In each of these small plotlines within the story Tom goes through a different act of maturity. So overall, the main structure of this novel is the developing maturity of Tom from an irresponsible child to a young adult through those four smaller plotlines. To go along with the structure of developing maturity, Twain tells this novel in chronological order which causes the four smaller plotlines to overlap. The structure is best explained through this quotation, “Tom lifted up a glorious shout, and instantly that hand was followed by the body it belonged to--Injun Joe’s!” (Twain 229). This quotation is the perfect example of Twain’s structure. This quotation illustrates the Jackson’s Island adventure, the Injun Joe story, and the Tom and Becky love story all in one. Tom becomes lost in one of the caves on
The structure of this novel is unlike many other novels. But, the main focal point or structure of the novel is the maturation of the main character Tom. Essentially, Tom goes through four main lines of action. In each of these four lines of action, Tom starts off as an immature young boy, then he goes through this particular scene, where at the end he commits an act of maturity. These four lines of action in the novel can be seen as the Tom and Becky love story, the Muff Potter scene, the Jackson’s Island adventure(s), and the Injun Joe story. In each of these small plotlines within the story Tom goes through a different act of maturity. So overall, the main structure of this novel is the developing maturity of Tom from an irresponsible child to a young adult through those four smaller plotlines. To go along with the structure of developing maturity, Twain tells this novel in chronological order which causes the four smaller plotlines to overlap. The structure is best explained through this quotation, “Tom lifted up a glorious shout, and instantly that hand was followed by the body it belonged to--Injun Joe’s!” (Twain 229). This quotation is the perfect example of Twain’s structure. This quotation illustrates the Jackson’s Island adventure, the Injun Joe story, and the Tom and Becky love story all in one. Tom becomes lost in one of the caves on