Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Tom Sawyer > Midterm > Flashcards

Midterm Flashcards

(98 cards)

Start Studying
0
Q

Tom’s aunt and guardian

A

Aunt Polly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

Tom’s half brother; behaves well but likes to see Tom get in trouble

A

Sid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

son of the town drunk; social outcast

A

Huckleberry Fin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Judge Thatcher’s daughter; Tom’s crush

A

Becky Thatcher

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

one of Tom’s close friends; sometimes joins Tom and Huck on their adventures

A

Joe Harper

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Frustrated in his attempts to become a doctor, he settles for being a schoolteacher, a job he doesn’t much like. He seems to prefer disciplining his students – that is, mercilessly beating them – to actually teaching them, and he spends as much time as possible perusing an anatomy textbook during class. He’s definitely not a positive influence on anyone.

A

Mr. Dobbins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

a villain, murderer, and robber

a. socially outcast because of his race
b. motivated by revenge

A

Injun Joe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

one of the town drunks and friend of Injun Joe

a. naive and used by Injun Joe

A

Muff Potter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Recently moved from St. Louis, he has very nice clothes. Tom beats him up when he first comes to town. Later, Becky flirts with him to make Tom jealous, and he destroys Tom’s spelling book.

A

Alfred Temple

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

a kind elderly woman in St. Petersburg who the children respect and see as a friend

A

Widow Douglas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

chases Injun Joe away from the Widow Douglas’s house after Huck warns him of the danger.

A

The Welshman

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the source of many of the characters and adventures in the novel?

A

They were drawn from Mark Twain’s life and people he knew as a child.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the setting for the action in the novel?

A

St. Petersburg, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River, and Pre-Civil War Era.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the relationship between Tom and Sid and between the boys and Aunt Polly.

A

Sid and Tom are half-brothers but they act completely opposite from each other. Sid shows his affection to her by always behaving. Tom feels guilty when she cries or feels upset.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does the first scene reveal about Tom’s personality?

A

He is very mischievous but loves Aunt Polly. He doesn’t like that the newcomer is dressed better than him. He’s proud. The boys insult each other. He has an inflated view of how strong he is.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does the whitewashing scene reveal about Tom, his friends, and Twain’s attitude toward work?

A

Tom is very good at persuading his friends to do his work. Twain loathes to work. He’s a con artist. Tom hates doing chores. His friends are gullible and are doing his work to make him happy. They also fall for his scheme. They treasure small objects like Tom. Twain says that work is something you’re forced to do and playing is something you choose to do.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How does Aunt Polly respond when Tom reports that the fence is completely whitewashed?

A

She is amazed at how fast he did it and she totally falls for the trick and rewards him.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How does Tom act when he meets the new girl at the Thatcher house?

A

He immediately falls in love with her and he starts to show off to get attention.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How does Tom behave after he is punished for breaking the sugar bowl?

A

He gets very upset and wonders what Aunt Polly would feel if he died. Tom has a flair for the dramatic. He claims that he will never forgive Aunt Polly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What doesn’t Aunt Polly apologize for hitting Tom?

A

She doesn’t want to feel like he won. She’s terrified that she’ll show weakness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What does the description of Tom’s preparations for Sunday school reveal about his appearance and
wardrobe?

A

He doesn’t have a really large wardrobe and always wears the same clothes for Sunday school. His normal appearance is very sloppy and disheveled. He hates being clean.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Describe the Sunday’s school ticket system.

A

The tickets are like a reward system for the amount of verses read and memorized to get a bible. 10 blue tickets = 1 red ticket, 10 red=1 yellow, 10 yellow=a bible.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How does Tom acquire tickets and what does he do with them?

A

He trades with the other boys for their tickets. He’s not after the bible, he’s after the attention from getting it. Becky and Judge Thatcher are there the day he gets the bible. The Sunday school teacher cares so much about impressing Judge Thatcher that he didn’t care that Tom Sawyer had enough tickets somehow.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Who is the Model Boy? Why do you think the term is capitalized?

A

The Model Boy is Willy Mufferson. He’s a goody-two-shoes. Twain puts the Model Boy in it so the reader can see the big comparison. The other boys despises him. Its capitalized because it’s a title that the other boys call him.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
What occupies the attention of many members of the congregation, including Tom, during the church service?
Tom gets bored with the homily so he plays with a beetle. The beetle flys off Tom Sawyer and the poodle chases it. The beetle bits its nose and its behind and it distracts the congregation. This was all Tom's fault.
25
Describe Tom’s efforts to stay home from school. How does Aunt Polly react?
Tom is moaning in bed to get Sid's attention, says he has a sore toe, and complains that his tooth is loose. Aunt Polly pulls it out.
26
Describe Huckleberry Finn’s clothing.
His clothing is way too big like hand me downs, very dirty, tattered, and rags.
27
What does Tom and Huck’s discussion about the various cures for warts reveal about them?
They are very superstitious. They are also fascinated by magic, urban legends, and old wise tales.
28
Why does Tom tell the truth about why he is late for school?
He wants to get in trouble so he could sit by Becky. He likes Becky and he gets attention.
29
What does Tom mean when he says, “That’s the name they lick me by?”
That's the name that they call him by when he's in trouble. He would rather have Becky call him by "Tom" because his friends call him that.
30
Why does Tom insist that Becky kiss him when they become engaged?
To seal the relationship. It's his promise of love to Becky.
31
Why does Becky become angry with Tom just after their engagement?
He was once engaged to Amy Lawrence.
32
Hoe does Tom react to Becky’s anger?
He tries to cheer her up, and she denies all attempts at the apology. Tom goes to Cardiff Hill. He reacts like he did when he was accused of breaking the sugar bowl.
33
Why does Tom begin to pray “Now I lay me down to sleep” when he and Huck think spirits are coming after them in the graveyard?
They think that prayer will keep away the evil spirits. The prayed is morbid and has nothing to do with warding off the spirits.
34
What are Tom and Huck doing at Hoss Williams’ grave at midnight? Why are Muff Pitter, Injun Joe, and Dr. Robinson there?
They must be at the gravesite of someone who recently died that was evil to test their cat wart cure. When the devil comes to take the soul of the evil person, they have to hurl the cat at the devil and say that the devil follows the corpse, the cat follows the devil, the warts follow the cat. Dr. Robinson, Muff Potter, and Injun Joe are there to steal the body of Hoss Williams. Dr. Robinson killed him and Injun Joe kills Dr. Robinson.
35
Why does Tom insist that Huck and he swear a blood oath?
This is another superstition. They believe a blood oath is a binding contract that says that they won't say anything because they are scared of Injun Joe.
36
How is Tom punished when Aunt Polly discovers that he has been out most of the night? And how does Tom react to his punishment?
Aunt Polly guilts Tom and makes him feel worse. Tom would rather been beat or yelled at then this. He can't bear to see Aunt Polly cry.
37
When Muff Potter is falsely accused of murder, Tom and Huck consider telling what really happened. What dissuades him?
They are afraid of Injun Joe killing them. They hear him lie about the murder. They believe so strongly that Injun Joe is protected by the devil, that they don't want to get involved. They think that it would foolish to do so.
38
What is Tom feeling low?
Becky rejects his gift (a doorknob), she's been absent from school, he witnessed a murder, sod told on him for running away at night, he made his Aunt cry, and the headmaster beat him for skipping school.
39
How does Aunt Polly attempt to remedy Tom’s listlessness?
She kinda believes that if he takes a bath, it will make him feel better. She also puts a lot of blankets to sweat out the depression. She gives Painkiller to him to help. Aunt Polly is very superstitious. Tom gives the Painkiller to the cat and Aunt Polly gets mad about that.
40
How does Tom escape punishment for feeding Pain – killer to the cat?
Tom says that he felt bad for the cat because the cat didn't have a nice, sweet aunt.
41
Why does Tom run away from home?
He's upset about Becky. He's also hoping that it will create drama so that people miss him. Becky has been ignoring him.
42
Why do Joe Harper and Huck Finn join Tom in his flight to Jackson’s Island?
Joes running away because he thinks that he was punished unfairly. Huck just wants the adventure.
43
How do the boys feel about their new life after their first act of piracy?
There are happy about being pirates, but they get guilty about stealing the food.
44
What snaps the boys out of their first spell of homesickness on Jackson’s Island?
They witness the villagers in the ferry boat shooting the cannon and they see that they miss him. They are sending out a search party.
45
What does Tom discover when he sneaks home from Jackson’s Island?
Aunt Polly, Mary, Sid, and Joe Harper's mom are sitting down, planning the kids' funeral. The adults are also starting to feel bad about punishing their kids. Sid gets scolded for saying something bad about Tom. The village thinks that the kids drowned because there was a raft with no other evidence.
46
What do the boys do to pass the time on Jackson’s Island?
They pretend they're Indians, smoke pipes, fish, hunt for turtle eggs, and swim. Joe and Huck gets bored and Tom reveals that they are going to crash their own funeral. Huck teaches Tom and Joe how to smoke but then Tom and Joe gets sick from doing it.
47
How are Tom, Huck, and Joe received at their funeral service?
The whole town is happy to see them. Huck is sad because no one loves him so Tom tells his Aunt and she shows affection.
48
What was Tom’s secret plan?
To surprise everyone to attend their own funeral.
49
How Tom win Aunt Polly’s forgiveness after she calmed down enough to chide him for running away?
He was homesick but he didn't want to admit it.
50
Why did Tom sneak back to the village during his second night on Jackson’s Island?
He coaxes Aunt Polly and tell her a dream.
51
How does Tom act towards Becky after his return from Jackson’s Island?
Tom doesn't pay attention to her and he also makes her jealous by talking to Amy Lawrence.
52
What does Becky do to try to win Tom back?
Becky picks the perfect person to make Tom jealous. Alfred Temple. He is the boy we met earlier who fought with him.
53
What bring Becky and Tom back together?
Tom takes the blame for the book being ripped, and Becky says he's noble.
54
How do the students get revenge on the schoolmaster?
They lower a cat into the classroom to rip off the master's wig. The painter's son painted his head gold while he slept.
55
How does Tom spend the early part of his summer vacation?
Tom becomes a member of the Cadets of Temprets. Then, he quit because there were too many things that he couldn't do. He also becomes sick with the measles, tries to write a dairy, goes to circuses, and he tries to do anything to keep his mind off of Becky and the secret of the murder.
56
Explain the reference to Senator Benton.
Senator Benson was very famous in Missouri. There were so many rumors spread about how great he is but he's really like a normal person.
57
Why does Tom become increasingly depressed as Muff Potter’s trial draws near?
He feels guilty for not saying anything. Muff Potter is kind of good.
58
How does Tom finally resolve his guilt about keeping silent?
He testifies for Muff Potter.
59
How does Tom feel about his decision to testify after the trial has ended?
He's incredibly happy but he's terrified to go outside during the night because of Injun Joe.
60
What does Tom say he will do if he finds a buried treasure? What will Huck do?
Tom: he'll buy a drum, a sword, a red necktie, and a bull pup(a bull dog), and save the rest for the marriage. Huck: pie, soda, and the circus
61
Where do Tom and Huck search for buried treasure?
They first look under the dead tree by the haunted house. Then, they say that they should go to an old tree behind Widow Douglas's house near Cardiff Hill. They can't dig until midnight because they have to dog in the shadow. Tom and Huck goes to the haunted house but only at daytime and they go on Saturday because they believe Friday is bad luck.
62
What circumstances lead to Tom and Huck’s discovery of Injun Joe’s hidden box of money?
They were already in the haunted house on Saturday(since Friday is unlucky), trying to look for treasure (they are upstairs) when Injun Joe and his comrade come in and almost buries their treasure and a LOT of gold that they found while trying to bury their treasure! But they decided not to because they thought that it would be too risky since they saw the pick that Huck and Tom left and it was covered in fresh earth. He sees that there is someone else because of the pick and tries to go upstairs, but the staircase collapsed because it was decaying. Injun Joe forgets about the boys and then takes the treasure to a different hiding place.
63
How does Tom react to what he and Huck witness in the haunted house?
Tom is REALLY nervous because Injun Joe was saying that he wouldn't bury the treasure until he got his revenge. Tom's is convinced that Injun Joe might be talking about him. They are excited that they know where the money is(that they might claim), but they are terrified about the revenge. He was dreaming about what he was going to do with the treasure. They decide that they are going to keep following Injun Joe to get the treasure.
64
Why do Tom and Huck continue to risk an encounter with Injun Joe?
They continue to do it because they really want the money because it could make them rich.
65
What happens to Tom in Number of the Temperance Tavern?
The door opens and Tom sees Injun Joe asleep (he was drunk), with a bunch of whiskey near him. He was so scared that he ran out with Huck. In an effort to escape, he almost steps on Injun Joe's hand.
66
Why does it take almost a day for people to discover that Tom and Becky are missing?
Aunt Polly is used to Tom being missing at night and Becky's mom wasn't expecting her anyway.
67
Why does Injun Joe go to Widow Douglas’s home?
He wants revenge on Judge Douglas for putting him in jail. But since he's dead, he takes his revenge out on Widow Douglas. He doesn't want to kill her but he wants to at least injure her.
68
Hoe does Huck save Widow Douglas?
Huck runs to the neighbors and the Welshman. He tells them what's happening. His panic convinces them and they track Injun Joe down.
69
Why does Huck make the Welshman promise not to tell anyone that it was Huck who warned him?
He's worried that Injun Joe will have revenge on him. He tells the Welshman that the Spaniard is Injun Joe. The townspeople thought that the Spaniard was deaf and dumb. But only Tom and Huck know that the Spaniard was Injun Joe.
70
What does Huck let slip during his conversation with the Welshman?
He almosts let slip that they were spying on Injun Joe and the treasure.
71
How does Huck react when he learns that there was nothing in the Temperance Tavern except liquor?
He was relived because they still have a chance at the treasure.
72
How do Tom and Becky get lost?
When they were running away from the bats, they lost their way because they took a lot of turns.
73
How does Tom behave once he realizes that he and Becky are lost?
He takes responsibility for getting lost. He tries to calm Becky down. He's starting to show maturity. *This is a BIG turning point for Tom. He eats a little bit of cake and leaves the rest for Becky. They see Injun Joe and he doesn't freak out. He stays calm for Becky. He also uses kite string to know where they are.
74
Why does Injun Joe turn and run when he hears Tom shout?
He is a wanted man and the echo scares him because he thinks it's more than one person.
75
How do Tom and Becky finally get out of the cave?
Tom sees a hole of light and they see the river. He goes back to Becky and they leave together.
76
Why does Tom blanch when he learns that the mouth to the cave has been sealed for two weeks?
He realizes that Injun Joe was there the whole time. The entrance that they were in was sealed. If Injun Joe is trapped in there, then Tom thinks that he will die.
77
How does Tom feel when he sees Injun Joe at the mouth of the cave? How did Injun Joe die?
He feels bad for him because he knows Injun Joe's fate. He's also kinda relived because they don't have to be in fear anymore. Injun Joe starves to death in the cave. He tried to eat bats and candles to survive.
78
Why does Huck want to abandon the search for the treasure?
Huck thinks that Injun Joe's ghost is guarding the treasure in the cave.
79
How does Tom convince himself and Huck that they will be safe from ghosts?
Tom says that since there is a cross nearby, they will be safe.
80
Why does Tom suggest that they leave the guns in the cave?
They want to save it for when they become robbers.
81
How do Tom and Huck act when they run into the Welshman?
Tom's worried that he's going to be in trouble becomes he has a bad reputation. The Welshman doesn't care about the bundle. The Welshman insists to go to Widow Douglas's house.
82
How do Tom and Huck react to the prospect of a bath, new clothes, and a celebration?
Huck's first reaction was terrible. He didn't like the thought of being clean and nice. Huck dislikes being at the center of attention.
83
Why is Tom so furious with Sid for revealing the Welshman’s secret?
It's wasn't Sid's secret to tell and he ruined the surprise for everyone.
84
How does the gathering at Widow Douglas’s home help draw the story to a close?
Huck has someone to care for him, they have the treasure, Wodow Douglas is saved, and Injun Joe is dead. All the mysteries are solved and all the loose ends were tied. Twain was referencing old mystery novels when the detective solves the mystery. The Welshman reveals that Huck is a hero and Tom takes the attention to show the treasure.
85
How does Huck feel about his life with Widow Douglas?
Huck hates rules, combing his hair, going to church, clean clothes, cleaning his language, and he can't spit.
86
How does Tom persuade Huck to remain at Widow Douglas’s house? What does Tom’s argument reveal about his values?
Tom convinces him that he has to be respectable to join his gang of robbers. It's ironic that his robbers have to be respectable. It makes no sense. It also shows that Tom still likes adventure, but he's starting to understand Aunt Polly's values.
87
Why does Twain state in the conclusion that the story must end where it does?
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is about a boy. If Twain kept writing, then the story would be about maturity and adulthood.
88
The state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening
Oblivion
89
A disagreement, argument, or debate
Dispute
90
Scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked or destroyed.
Debris
91
Of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning
Vague
92
Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor, flippant
Facetious
93
Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse
Precarious
94
Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
Eloquent
95
Extreme anger
Wrath
96
Totally bewilder or perplex
Baffle
97
(of an argument or statement) seeming reasonable or probable
Plausible

Tom Sawyer (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions