The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Lesson Plan

Why does Injun Joe want to kill Dr. Robinson, and what does this say about his overall character. Does Twain include any other information about this character in the graveyard scene which may serve to define the character?

Injun Joe's primary motivation for killing Dr. Robinson is revenge. This is one of his primary motivations as a character, as there are several times in the novel he acts out of a desire for revenge.

Injun Joe is a flat, 'type' character. He is an evil character, who has no redeeming qualities. His motivations are all based in vices, selfishness, or other 'evil' causes.

The character's name is problematic, and is meant to mark him off as different than...