The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Tom sawyer clarification question

What do people say about tom and joe whom they think are dead? Why do they only remember the good things and how does this show the hypocrisy of society?

Asked by
Last updated by Aslan
Answers 1
Add Yours

When the boys are thought dead, there are lovely elegies and good statements said about them. While they were alive they were often considered "delinquents" and problems that need to be dealt with. There might be some amount of guilt involved when people die. Good things are said to appease the living as well as respect the dead, even if there was little respect when they lived.