Chart of Tom’s Character Traits in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The central character of a novel is often a complex person who shows many different, and sometimes contradictory, traits. These contradictory traits may express conflicts within the character. To help you understand Tom Sawyer’s character as it is expressed in his actions, fill out the chart below as you read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Character traits for Tom are listed at the top of the chart. Examples of Tom’s actions are listed in the first column on the chart. After you read the appropriate chapter, decide which character trait is expressed by the action and write that trait in the second column. You may write down more than one character trait for each action. The first one is done for you.

Love of freedom Feelings of conscience

Love of adventure Concern for others

Love of pranks or jokes Leadership ability

Love of the dramatic Courage

Desire to fit into society Resourcefulness or cleverness

Action Character Trait

1. Plays hooky from school to go swimming 1. Love of freedom

(Ch. 1)

2. Tricks the neighborhood boys into white- 2.

washing the fence (Ch. 2)

3. Imagines himself drowned and his aunt 3.

weeping over the “poor little sufferer” (Ch.3)

4. Pretends to have a sore toe and tooth to avoid 4.

school (Ch. 3)

5. Writes out an oath of silence for him and Huck 5.

to sign in blood (Ch. 10)

6. Worries he will die for “doing everything a 6.

feller's told not to do” (Ch. 10)

7. Smuggles small gifts to Muff Potter (Ch. 11) 7.

8. Feels “forsaken and friendless” and decides to 8.

run away and become a pirate (Ch. 12)

9. Kisses his aunt while she is sleeping (Ch. 14) 9.

10. Tries to cheer up Huck and Joe by suggesting 10.

new games (Ch. 16)

11. Shares his secret plan with Huck and Joe 11.

(Ch. 16)

12. Describes his “dream” to Aunt Polly (Ch. 18) 12.

13. Apologizes to Aunt Polly for his “mean and 13.

shabby" lie (Ch. 19)

14. Takes Becky’s punishment at school (Ch. 20) 14.

15. Joins the Cadets of Temperance (Ch. 22) 15.

16. Feels uncomfortable when he hears gossip 16.

about the murder (Ch. 23)

17. Testifies against Injun Joe at the trial (Ch. 24) 17.

18. Comforts Becky and blames himself for 18.

getting them lost (Ch. 31)

19. Invents Tom Sawyer’s Gang, a gang of 19.

robbers (Ch. 33)

20. Persuades Huck to go back to live with the 20.

Widow Douglas (Ch. 35)