Tom Sawyer and American Progressivism

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain is a novel that expresses many important themes regarding American progressivism. It is a novel based on actual events that tells a story about a young boy named Tom Sawyer living on the Mississippi river dealing with adventures revolving around his society and the people within it. The story has insights as to what life was like on the bridge of the progressive era through indications about society and the roles of its institutions and members. There are some valid insights and also some depictions that may not be accurate. Regardless, this novel paints an interesting picture to small town American life through a boy’s eye towards the end of the 19th century.

Tom sawyer grows up in a small American town on the Mississippi river. The society is set up in a very distinct way in which its members are expected to adhere. The most important institution is the Church followed by the school. Tom hates both and at the beginning of the novel would do anything to avoid attending. Twain criticizes the church through events like when a beetle entertained the churchgoers because they were so bored of the sermon and also through the example of having boys and girls memorize bible verses for prizes. This remark about the boy who memorized the most bible verses, a “strain upon his mental faculties was too great, and he was little better than an idiot from that day forward” hints of the inefficiency of the Church (Twain 50). However, after Tom is involved in many dangerous adventures we begin to see a change in Tome through a growth in maturity, competence, and moral integrity. He also begins to see society in a different light as the novel progresses. Tom’s adventures to Jackson’s Island and McDougal’s Cave allow Tom to remain outside of his society and form a valid opinion as to what role they play in his life. These adventures take him away from his society and form a different outlook on his relationship to the community. The community is almost a sanctuary for Tom in the end and he realizes the importance that it holds in his life. Society acts as a safe haven for Tom and after being secluded from the community Tom is aware that conforming to its rules and ways are worth the security.

Twain expresses the dangers of not adhering to society, but also explains the dangers of following society too strictly. Twain presents us with the idea of being rich without money through the character Huckleberry Finn. Financial status seems to play a major role in societal status and society puts great emphasis on inclusion with institutions like school and the church. However, while the other boys are clothed and fed properly, Huck is allowed to smoke and do whatever he wants while the others are forced against their will to do things like attend school and church. Huck finds treasure later on in the novel which buys him a new life. He is transformed into a regular, included member of society, but Twain expresses the trade off Huck has with his previous freedoms. It seems the cost of social inclusion comes with the loss of freedom. It presents a very ironical situation and shows a direct link between financial standing and social standing. Twain presents us with the idea that society was too conforming and that life was quite simple and boring. There are also subtle mentions of the role race had within the society. Jim is a black boy who ends up doing loads more work than the other boys and isn’t really even looked at as a member of society, hinting the role of slave.

Mark Twain presents us with a nostalgic insight