The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

How do the villagers react to Tom and Huck's newly "found" wealth?

What insight about human nature is Twain trying to reveal with this reaction?

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A few things happen here. Practically the whole town runs to the haunted house to dig, in vain, for treasure. Judge Thatcher and Aunt Polly invest the boys' money. Judge Thatcher now has a good opinion of Tom as an upstanding boy. For many in the village, money validates Tom and Huck. They are no longer uncivilized orphans but heroes with wealth. Really Tom and Huck share a similar ethical code that they always had. The town only notices it because of their new found wealth. Twain notes the hypocrisy of people and their desire to somehow be a part of the boys' wealth and adventure.