Chapter: 06. Tom Has A Toothache
A Literary Appreciation of “Tom Has a Toothache”
This delightful extract from Mark Twain’s classic novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, introduces us to one of literature’s most memorable and mischievous characters: Tom Sawyer himself. As a “title character” and the “protagonist,” Tom is the heart of the story, and his adventures are filled with humor, wit, and relatable childhood experiences. This particular scene perfectly captures Tom’s cleverness and his universal desire to escape responsibilities, especially boring school days! It’s a humorous look at a boy’s imagination running wild to avoid a Monday morning, showing us how a seemingly small problem can become a grand drama in a child’s mind. Twain’s writing makes Tom’s antics feel incredibly real, reminding us of our own moments of playful rebellion or ingenious excuses.
Summary of “Tom Has a Toothache”
The story begins with Tom Sawyer feeling utterly miserable on a Monday morning, dreading another week of school. Determined to stay home, he tries to invent a sickness. He first attempts to convince himself he has colic, but that fails. Then, he discovers a loose tooth, but quickly decides against using it as an excuse because his Aunt Polly would surely pull it out, which would hurt. Finally, he remembers hearing about an ailment that could make one lose a finger and decides to fake a “sore toe.” He begins groaning loudly to wake his half-brother, Sid. Sid eventually wakes up, becomes genuinely alarmed by Tom’s dramatic performance, and rushes to get Aunt Polly. Aunt Polly, though initially skeptical, hurries to Tom’s side. Upon seeing her, Tom dramatically declares his toe is “mortified.” Aunt Polly, realizing it’s all an act, laughs and scolds him. Tom then quickly tries to switch his excuse to his loose tooth, but Aunt Polly sees through his tricks. She prepares to pull the tooth, but Tom, suddenly afraid, declares he no longer wants to stay home from school, revealing his true intention to go fishing. Aunt Polly, though exasperated, sees his deception and lets the tooth be, instructing him to sleep.
Detailed Explanation of Each Scene
Let’s break down Tom’s Monday morning adventure step-by-step!
Scene 1: The Monday Morning Misery and Search for an Ailment
What happens: We meet Tom on a Monday morning, which he hates because it means going to school. He wishes he hadn’t had a holiday, as it makes “going into captivity and fetters again so much more odious.” He immediately starts trying to think of a way to get out of school. First, he tries to imagine himself sick with “colicky symptoms,” hoping to stay home. But this pain quickly fades. Then, he discovers a loose “upper front tooth.” He considers groaning about it but realizes Aunt Polly would just pull it out, which would hurt more than school! So, he decides to “hold the tooth in reserve.” Finally, he remembers a doctor talking about a serious illness that could lead to losing a finger. He pulls out his “sore toe” and, even though he doesn’t know the exact symptoms, decides to pretend it’s mortified. He starts groaning loudly. What does “Monday morning found Tom Sawyer miserable” tell you about his feelings towards school? Why did Tom decide not to use his loose tooth as an excuse at first? What kind of character does Tom seem to be based on his initial actions? Scene 2: The Groaning Performance and Sid’s Reaction
What happens: Tom groans louder and louder, even convincing himself he feels pain in his toe. His brother, Sid, sleeps through it all. Tom “was panting with his exertions” from all the groaning. He takes a rest, then tries a new strategy, delivering “a succession of admirable groans.” Still, Sid snores on. Frustrated, Tom calls out “Sid, Sid!” and shakes him. This finally works. Sid yawns, stretches, and then stares at Tom, who continues groaning dramatically. Sid asks, “Tom! Say, Tom!” but Tom doesn’t respond, fully committed to his act. How determined is Tom to skip school? What actions show this? What does Tom’s increasing “exertions” and “admirable groans” tell you about his acting skills? Why do you think Tom was “aggravated” by Sid’s sleep? Scene 3: Sid’s Alarm and Aunt Polly’s Arrival
What happens: Sid becomes genuinely worried, shaking Tom and asking, “What is the matter, Tom?” Tom dramatically moans, “Oh, don’t, Sid. Don’t joggle me.” He tries to stop Sid from calling Aunt Polly, but Sid insists, saying, “But I must! Don’t groan so, Tom, it’s awful.” Tom then adds to the drama by claiming he’s been this way for “Hours” and that Sid will “kill me” if he moves. Sid asks why Tom didn’t wake him sooner. Tom then delivers his most dramatic line, “I forgive you for everything, Sid… When I’m gone-” implying he’s dying. He even makes “dying wishes,” like giving his window-sash and one-eyed cat to the new girl. Sid is completely convinced and “snatched his clothes and gone.” Tom, now truly believing his own performance, begins to suffer “in reality,” and his groans become “quite a genuine tone.” Sid flies downstairs to Aunt Polly, shouting, “Oh, Aunt Polly, come! Tom’s dying!” Aunt Polly initially calls it “Rubbage!” (rubbish) and doesn’t believe it, but her face “grew white too,” and her lips trembled as she rushed upstairs with Sid. How does Tom’s acting change when Sid wakes up? How does he make it more convincing? What specific lines does Tom use to make Sid believe he is dying? What does Aunt Polly’s initial reaction (“Rubbage!”) and then her subsequent actions (face turning white, trembling lips, rushing upstairs) tell you about her feelings for Tom? Scene 4: The Truth Revealed and Aunt Polly’s Solution
What happens: Aunt Polly reaches the bedside, gasping, “You, Tom! Tom, what’s the matter with you?” Tom, still in character, moans, “Oh, auntie, my sore toe’s mortified!” Aunt Polly, seeing through his exaggerated act, first laughs a little, then cries a little, then does both. This mixture of emotions helps her recover. She scolds him, “Now you shut up that nonsense and climb out of this.” Immediately, Tom’s groans stop, and his “pain vanished from the toe.” Feeling foolish, Tom then tries to shift his excuse to his loose tooth, saying, “it hurt so I never minded my tooth at all.” Aunt Polly, amused but firm, asks about the tooth. Tom says it’s “perfectly awful.” Aunt Polly calmly examines it, confirms it’s loose but not life-threatening. She then moves to get a “silk thread and a chunk of fire” from the kitchen to pull the tooth out. Tom, terrified, cries out, “Oh, please, auntie, don’t pull it out. It doesn’t hurt any more.” He even promises, “I don’t want to stay home from school.” Aunt Polly, having figured out his real motive, says, “So, all this row was because you thought you’d get to stay home from school and go fishing?” She expresses her love for him but also her frustration with his “outrageousness.” She decides to let the tooth come out on its own and tells him to go to sleep. How does Aunt Polly’s reaction (“laughed a little, then cried a little, then did both”) show her mixed feelings towards Tom’s antics? What causes Tom’s “sore toe” pain to vanish so quickly? What was Tom’s true reason for wanting to stay home from school? How does Aunt Polly show she understands Tom’s character at the end of the scene? Theme and Moral of the Story
Themes:
Childhood Ingenuity and Mischief: The story wonderfully portrays how children can use their creativity and imagination to avoid responsibilities, often leading to humorous situations. Tom’s elaborate act, from the sore toe to the “dying” speech, showcases his playful cleverness. The Desire to Escape Responsibility: A universal theme, especially for children, is the wish to avoid unpleasant duties like school. Tom’s actions reflect this deep-seated desire to choose fun (fishing) over work. Love and Discipline in Family: Aunt Polly’s reaction (initial disbelief, then worry, then amusement and firm discipline) highlights the complex relationship between a loving guardian and a mischievous child. She understands Tom’s tricks but also ensures he learns a lesson, even if gently. Moral:
Honesty is the Best Policy: While Tom’s antics are funny, the underlying moral is that faking illness or trying to deceive others, even for innocent reasons like wanting to go fishing, can lead to complications and ultimately be exposed. The Consequences of Deceit (even humorous ones): Tom’s elaborate lie leads to panic for Sid and concern for Aunt Polly, and he nearly gets his tooth pulled out as a result! It shows that even small lies can lead to unexpected (and sometimes painful) outcomes. Author Spotlight: Mark Twain
Mark Twain (1835-1910), whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens, is one of America’s most beloved and important writers. He was born in Missouri, a state that bordered the Mississippi River, which would play a huge role in his life and stories.
Imagine a time before easy travel and computers! Young Samuel Clemens quit school at a very early age – around 11 or 12 – to become an apprentice to a printer. This job taught him all about how books and newspapers were made, and it also gave him the chance to read widely and educate himself. He was a curious learner!
Later, he became a steamboat pilot on the mighty Mississippi River. This experience was incredibly important for him. “Mark Twain” is actually a steamboat term! It means “two fathoms deep,” which was a safe depth for a steamboat to navigate the river. This pen name perfectly captured his connection to the river and his straightforward, observational style.
Twain eventually became a journalist and a humorist, traveling the world and sharing his witty observations. But he is best known for his incredible novels, especially those featuring the adventurous boys Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (published in 1876): This is the novel from which “Tom Has a Toothache” is taken. It’s a tale of a mischievous boy growing up in a small town along the Mississippi River, full of escapades, friendships, and a touch of adventure. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (published in 1884): Often considered his masterpiece, this novel continues the story with Tom’s friend Huck Finn, exploring themes of freedom, prejudice, and morality as Huck floats down the Mississippi River on a raft. Mark Twain’s writing is special because he wrote in a way that truly captured the sounds and feelings of everyday American speech. He was a master of humor and satire, often using laughter to point out important truths about society. His stories are timeless because they speak to universal experiences of childhood, friendship, and the human spirit. He truly left his “mark” on American literature!
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