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Book Discussions and Mark Twain 101 Scholar Programs

Join the discussion as we celebrate our second Big Read with Mark Twain's joyful ode to endless possibilities of childhood, the beloved classic The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. It brings to life an array of irresistible characters – the self-confident Tom, his best buddy Huck Finn, indulgent Aunt Polly, and the lovely, beguiling Becky – as well as such unforgettable incidents as whitewashing a fence, swearing an oath in blood, and getting lost in a dark and labyrinthine cave.

Ina partnership with Samford University, Dr. Chris Metress coordinated Mark Twain 101 programs for area libraries. Discussions will include a lively dialogue and feature a scholar who specializes in Mark Twain's life and work.

For more information, go to the JCLC Calendar of Events.

Discussion Questions for Your Group

  1. How do you think American childhood has and hasn't changed since the 1840s?
  2. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was already a historical novel when it was written, fully 30 years after it is set. Does it feel realistic or nostalgic?
  3. Between Tom and Huck, who's more of an outlaw and who's a conformist?
  4. Who emerges with more dimension in the book, African Americans or Native Americans? Can you detect any hints of Twain's late-career humanism?
  5. How might the fence in Aunt Polly's yard serve as a symbol? What might be implied by Tom getting others to "whitewash" the fence for him?
  6. How old are Tom and his classmates? Do they behave convincingly for their age?
  7. Why do you think Twain made Tom an orphan?
  8. Which do you enjoy more, Twain's dialogue or his descriptions? How does one complement the other?
  9. If you could eavesdrop on your own funeral, what do you think you would hear?
  10. Find a sentence that makes you laugh out loud. Change one word. Is it as funny? If not, why not? If so, change one word at a time until the joke weakens or dies. What made it work before?
  11. What important roles did Huck and Becky play in Tom's success, even though Tom is celebrated as the town's hero?
  12. Tom makes a difficult decision when he tells the truth about the murder. Compare the way he comes to his decision with Huck's choice to help Jim in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. How does Tom's motivation differ from Huck's?
  13. Some readers believe that Tom develops a conscience by the end of the novel. Do you agree? Is there evidence to suggest that Tom has changed?