Tom Sawyer Characters

Here are the key characters in Tom Sawyer

Tom Sawyer: Tom, an orphan, is the novel’s protagonist. He is a lively, adventurous boy with a vivid imagination who constantly gets himself, and his friends, into and out of trouble. He learns from his experiences and develops to a more mature level during the course of the novel.

Aunt Polly: She is Tom’s aunt and guardian and he lives with her. She is a gentle, kindhearted woman who loves her nephew but sometimes has to be strict because he is in need of discipline. She doesn’t have much success in keeping Tom under control because she doesn’t wish to be too harsh on him.

Huckleberry Finn: Huck is the son of a local drunk. Huck is shunned by respectable society and looked up to by the local boys, who dream of having his freedom. Like Tom, Huck is always ready for an adventure.

Becky Thatcher: Becky is the pretty daughter of Judge Thatcher She arouses Tom’s romantic instincts.

Jo Harper: Joe is Tom’s best friend and companion.

Sid: Sid is Tom’s half-brother. He is as ‘good’ as Tom is ‘bad.’ He does his best to get Tom into trouble. He makes a show of model behaviour to show Tom up.

Mary: Mary is Tom’s kind and loving cousin.

Injun Joe: A violent robber and murderer. Half Native American and half white, he has suffered persecution and is motivated by the desire for revenge.

Muff Potter: A drunken criminal companion of Injun Joe, he has a good heart and is not as bad as Injun Joe.

Dr. Robinson: Dr Robinson is the town doctor. Although he is respected by the local people he is a grave robber and it is in that capacity that he is murdered by Injun Joe.

Mr. Sprague: Mr Sprague is the town pastor.

The Widow Douglas: She is a kind-hearted, religious woman who is generous to the local children, and accepting of the feral child, Huck Finn.

Mr. Jones: Mr Jones is a neighbour of Mrs Douglas.

Judge Thatcher: Judge Thatcher is the county judge and Becky’s father. He is highly responsible and competent.

Jim: Jim is Aunt Polly’s young slave.

Amy Lawrence: Amy was the subject of Tom’s romantic inclinations before the arrival of Becky.

Ben Rogers: One of Tom’s friends.

Alfred Temple: A new boy in town. Becky makes advances to him in order to make Tom jealous.

Mr. Walters: Mr Walters is the Sunday school superintendent, a comic figure.

Mr. Dobbins: Mr Dobbins is the schoolmaster. A man disappointed in life, he has taken to drinking and is the butt of the boys’ practical jokes.

That’s our Tom Sawyer characters list. Make sense? Any questions? Let us know in the comments section below!