Tom Leaves The Bark Essay

211 Words1 Pages
The piece of bark that Tom Sawyer leaves for his Aunt Polly symbolizes how he is rooted in the small town. Tom leaves the bark because he misses home and even though he is sworn into a pirate life there will always be a piece of him with Aunt Polly. Whereas, children are shaped by those adults that guide them or in Aunt Polly’s case those who attempt to guide them. This reveals Tom’s ability to use his education as he writes the message, his capability of caring for others, and most importantly his good heart. These are the characteristics that have been glossed over in the novel as Tom constantly is depicted as a troublemaker, yet Tom reveals to the audience his empathy as he spoke to his Aunt, “Because I loved you so, and you laid there moaning