1. Irony
After a dramatic escape, Huck states, "We was all glad as we could be, but Tom was the gladdest of all because he had a bullet in the calf of his leg." (Twain, pg. 266) This is an example of verbal irony because one is not typically happy when one is shot. Tom is probably in an immense amount of pain, and may not be giggling and smiling. Tom is a fellow who loves dramatic flare, though, and this is the perfect ending to a rascally adventure. It is as though something he has read in one of his books is actually happening to him. Since he adores grotesque and frightening occurrences such as this, he most likely is actually excited about his awful injury.
Another moment of Tom Sawyer's that exhibits his over-dramatic tendencies is when he plots the escape of Jim. He makes an elaborate scheme that is over-the-top and ridiculous. He makes it exciting and challenging, even though there are much simple ways that could achieve the desired result just the same. The plan, along with the entire voyage down the river, is ironic, because Jim has been free all along. Miss Watson had written in her will, as Tom already knows, that Jim will no longer be a slave. Thus, his ride to freedom was unnecessary, as was Huck and Tom "rescuing" him. This also meant that Tom's elaborate plan was equally as unnecessary, because it was relatively pointless, as Jim would have been freed anyways.
The voyage still remained to be necessary for both Huck and Jim. They both learned things and developed as people because of their adventure. They would not have experienced as much and gotten to know one another, and would have most likely been stuck in their old ways. Both men became much better individuals because of this journey, and without it, their lives would have not improved as much.
2. Characterization
In chapter 34, Tom and Huck device a plan to free Jim. Throughout the chapter, Tom does not question whether going on this mission is right or wrong. Huck, on the other hand, despite the fact that he is much closer to Jim, is constantly worrying and pondering whether they should be doing this. Huck wants to help his dear friend, but does not see a point as he is already free. Huck is becoming more doubtful of his decisions and deeply questions his morals now that Tom is back. He also no longer thinks rationally and realistically about situations as he had began to while traveling, but acts as though he is playing some imaginary game. He also delves back into his old ways of follow whatever Tom says, and not thinking for himself, like he had become accustomed to.
To add even more to the story, Twain introduces a new character, Nat. He is Jim's keeper, and is also a black slave. Additionally, both are very superstitious. However, Jim has become a bit more sensible, while Nat differs in this way because he is quite gullible and believes ridiculous tales of witches told by Huck and Tom. Nat is added to the story at this point, even though the novel has almost reached the end, to pack one last punch at the idea of racism. He portrays most of the stereotypes of slaves; he is superstitious, goofy, not very intelligent, confused, and easily fooled. He is, however, helpful in Tom and Huck's endeavor to free Jim from the shed.
Jim and Huck have a special relationship throughout the book. Jim cares for the young boy and watches over him. They both trust one another and are comfortable. They do have instances of trouble where Huck defies Jim, but they are resolved relatively quickly. Both men learn and grow from one another. Huck develops morals and becomes a more selfless individual, like Jim, who seems to become more confident and also more thoughtful and less foolish than he was previously. They form a great and strong bond, which is partially why Jim spared Huck the knowledge of his father's death. Most of the reason probably stemmed from Jim's wanting to continue having Huck as his travel companion. Huck had originally found Jim because he was hiding on Jackson's Island after running away from the drunk, abusive Pap. Thus, Jim may think that, because Huck no longer has anyone to run from, he may decide there is no reason for him to continuing voyaging far down the Mississippi and will return to the town, abandoning his friend. For this reason, it was a tad selfish of him not to tell Huck. He wants to keep the boy around for his own personal reasons, somewhat like Pap did. Jim was a much better adult figure in Huck's life, though. He is caring and helpful, and the only selfish ways he lives are also beneficial for the younger boy. He gets along with Huck more on a friendly level, rather than on the level of a pesky caretaker. The boys respects and adores him because of this. The two unlikely friends are the greatest companions each will ever find.
3. Tone
When Tom Sawyer reappears in the story, so does Huck's old personality. Tom brings out the childish and playful side, defeating all the maturing Huck has done on his journey. The mood of the last chapters are less serious, and the boys are their imaginative and adventurous young selves. Rescuing Jim is a dramatic production for the young men; they make it ridiculous and way more intense than it needs to be. The lighthearted feel and sense of youth fill the pages as Tom jumps back into them.
4. Theme
Tom Sawyer is a prime example of the idea of moral ambiguity. He wants to save Jim and set him free, but it is quite clear that he does so selfishly. He wishes to do it to be involved in the excitement of an adventure. He does not seem to care as much for Jim's well-being as he does for the rebellious act he is committing. This is where his morals become fuzzy; Tom is doing the right things, but for the wrong reasons. Huck also struggles with this idea, when he learns that Jim is already freed in Miss Watson's will. He questions whether or not all the effort to save him was worth it, since he would have been set free anyways. He still does the right thing by rescuing his black friend, even though there may be no real reason to do so. This further emphasizes his newly discovered maturity and selflessness.
When Tom is injured after armed men attack the shed in which Jim is kept; he escapes with a bullet wound to his leg. Jim worries about the boy, and insists they find a doctor and refuses to leave him. Huck realizes from Jim's concern that, as he states, "I knowed he was white inside..." (Twain, pg. 267) He believes he knows for sure now that Jim is a human being that possesses compassion. This again contributes to the theme of racism, as Huck once again disregards Jim (and generally all black people) as humans, just like him. He thinks before his epiphany that only white people show evidence of good characteristics such as compassion.
5. Symbolism
While sailing down the river on their raft, Huck and Jim feel free. They answer to no one but themselves, and have no orders to follow. Huck is free from the pestering of caretakers and his abusive father, while Jim is journeying towards freedom, voyaging to the free states so he will no longer be a slave and hopefully be reunited with his wife and children. This is what makes the Mississippi River a symbol of freedom. However, it is later realized that the river is not a source of freedom and a release from all troubles and worries, but simply a mean of temporary escape, where danger and problems still lurk.
The towns are another symbol in the novel. They represent the civilizing of people. Each town has various rules that the townsfolk obey, sometimes making them think cruel thoughts, and some of these rules defy logic. An example of this appears early on in the story, when the new judge of Huck's hometown do not allow the Widow Douglas or Judge Thatcher to become his guardians, and instead force him to stay with Pap, since he does not know enough of their lives to feel it is necessary to separate father and son. This shows that societies try to be civilized, but remain unconsciously uncivilized despite their efforts.
At the end of the novel, Huck does, in fact, return to town. He is going to be adopted by Aunt Sally, but does not wish to be. He says "But I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she's going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can't stand it. I been there before." (Twain, pg. 283) By saying "the territory ahead of the rest" Huck is mentioning the Indian territory to the west of the Mississippi. He still desires to live an adventurous life, and wants to remain free and uncivilized, and does not want to be made civilized by Aunt Sally.
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