Foreshadowing In Tom Sawyer

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain is a fictional novel about a boy named Tom Sawyer and his adventures with his friends during the 1840s in the state of Missouri. Tom and his friends have exciting experiences that Twain writes about in the book. In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain uses foreshadowing, similes, and indirect characterization to ensure that the novel is action packed and full of enterprise.
First, foreshadowing ensures that the book is full of excitement. The author writes, “Huckleberry Finn was there, with his dead cat. The boys moved off and disappeared in the gloom. At the end of half an hour they were wading through the tall grass of the graveyard” (75). This show since they are going to the graveyard, there may be some action. Also, they are leaving at night and without permission so it is dangerous. “Presently there came a quivering glow that vaguely revealed the foliage for a moment and then vanished. By and by another came, a little stronger. Then another. Then a faint moan came sighing through the branches upon their cheeks, and shuddered” (133). This shows there may be something or someone

In the text, it states, “His [the minister's] voice began on a medium key and climbed steadily up till it reached a certain point, where it bore with strong emphasis upon the topmost word, and then plunged down as if from a springboard” (40). This shows the minister’s voice is increasing and decreasing in volume. Furthermore, it shows how the minister is very loud when singing. “Smaller boys than himself [Tom] flocked at his heels … as if he had been the drummer at the head of a procession or the elephant leading a menagerie into town.” (147). This shows how the younger boys admire Tom. Also, they look up to him and show great respect toward him. In summation, the similes in the book help the reader interpret the events occurring throughout the