The answer to this question changes as the novel progresses. At the beginning of the novel, Tom comes across as a fun-loving trickster, making mischief for his own entertainment and gain. This is epitomized when he tricks his peers into whitewashing the fence for him and giving him their prized possessions for the privilege. As a book lover, Tom has an active imagination, acting out scenes from Robin Hoodwith Joe Harper and romanticizing the...
The answer to this question changes as the novel progresses. At the beginning of the novel, Tom comes across as a fun-loving trickster, making mischief for his own entertainment and gain. This is epitomized when he tricks his peers into whitewashing the fence for him and giving him their prized possessions for the privilege. As a book lover, Tom has an active imagination, acting out scenes from Robin Hood with Joe Harper and romanticizing the world around him, as if he were a character in one of his adventure stories. At the same time, Tom's childishness comes across through his easily hurt feelings. Aunt Polly punishing him when Sid breaks the sugar bowl or a fight with Becky is enough to reduce him to bouts of melancholy and fantasies of death. Although he cares about others, Tom's primary concern is initially for himself.
As the novel progresses, though, Tom considers the feelings of those he cares about. He returns from pirating with the intention of reassuring Aunt Polly that he isn't dead (though he doesn't follow through). He feels enormous guilt over not coming forward with the truth about Dr. Robinson's murder and testifying at Muff Potter's trial, while risking the wrath of Injun Joe. This is a big moment of Tom putting another before himself. He does this again with Becky, taking the fall for her crime of tearing the schoolmaster's book. Again, Tom shows maturity, this time even ending a fight between the two when Becky refused to do the same. Though he still loves to adventure and pretend (he and Huck find treasure and are planning a summer of being robbers together), Tom has real concern and thoughtfulness for those he loves.
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