Tom’s antics with Injun Joe symbolizes the beginning of adulthood for him, as he shows mature skills when he gives a testimony in court, discovers Injun Joe’s death in the cave, and finds his buried treasure. Tom’s decision to testify in court is a very mature act as he shows the importance of justice and doing what is right. Tom and Huck witness Injun Joe murdering Dr. Robinson, and they both swear to never tell anyone what they witnessed, as they are in fear of what Injun Joe might do to them. Even as Injun Joe manages to make Muff Potter believe he did the murder in a drunken state, Tom and Huck still decide to not speak of it. It wasn’t until the trial when Tom finally decides to face his fears and say his testimony. His decision is “a …show more content…
As Tom and his friends travel to Jackson’s Island, Tom learns important traits such as self-sufficiency, initiative, and compassion that lead him towards adulthood. Due to experiences with Becky Thatcher, Tom begins to understand love, sacrificing oneself for others, and problem-solving skills as he matures for the duration of the novel. Tom’s integrity, empathy, and reality towards money are all characteristics taught through dilemmas caused by Injun Joe; all these traits show that Tom is becoming an adult toward the end of the text. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a coming of age story, as it shows a young boy growing up. Using ideas such as maturation is common in these types of texts, as a coming of age novel is a popular plot device among children's literature. Even modern-day stories use this plot device to relate and inspire the young, as they will experience similar events, thoughts, and feelings that the characters endure. Adults may also enjoy this theme in novels since they understand how the characters feel, as they have already lived through this stage of their life. A coming of age tale interests both adults and children, as it presents experiences that people are either experiencing at the moment or have done throughout their childhood, which is why Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a story that has stood the test of