Samuel Langhorne Clemens also known as Mark Twain is one of the most famous authors of 19-20 centuries. His well-known works “The Adventure of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” are known as great American novels. The "Great American Novel" is the concept of a novel that shows the culture of the United States at a specific time, and I believe, these books are examples of such a novel. In my opinion this two books and main characters in them represents America in different time. However, was this representation intentional or was it affected by the disposition of people in particular time? Tom Sawyer – active, witty young 12 years old boy. Raised by his aunt Polly, who is kind but at the same time very strict and stiff woman, who thinks that it is her duty to punish the boy for his own good. Aunt Polly raised not only Tom, but also his stepbrother Sid and his kind and solicitous cousin Mary. Tom loves adventures and this love is mutual. In the “Adventures of Tom Sawyer” – Tom is obviously main character, which got into different adventures. Eye witnessing a murder, finding a killer, affiancing a classmate, running away from home and attending to his own funerals are just some of his adventures. Tom embodies unconcern and freedom of a child. In my opinion, his character is best uncovered in the very first chapter of the book, in which Tom is punished for skipping the classes in Saturday. As a punishment, his aunt makes him to paint the wooden fence. He