Tom Sawyer Crime Analysis

Should a witness to a crime always come forward, or is the risk sometimes too great? In Tom Sawyer, a novel by Mark Twain, two characters, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, witness a violent crime. Afterwards, the two boys swear to one another that they will never tell anyone what they saw. However, Tom feels guilty and may need to tell someone the truth. He is faced with two options: either tell and clear the name of an innocent man, or keep quiet and watch him hang. Clearly, Tom should tell the sheriff, as doing so will relieve him of his emotional burden, possibly save a life, and bring justice for the victim. Some may argue that promises to friends are sacred and should be respected, but in such a severe situation, oaths like Huckleberry and Tom’s were not made in a clear state of mind, and therefore do not have to be upheld. There is only one solution to this dilemma: Tom has no other choice but to tell someone. Tom worries for his own safety, but he is ignoring what may happen to another human being. Muff Potter, the man accused of the murder, might hang for the crime. If Tom “keeps mum”, as he has sworn to do, another life may be needlessly lost, and a killer will walk free. This tragedy would bring no …show more content…
In the book, the narrator mentions that Tom has a “fearful secret and gnawing conscience.” Tom can let this go and free himself of the stress, but only if he tells an adult what he witnessed. Otherwise, Tom may have to live with the consequences of keeping quiet, causing himself more stress. This may lead to depression, anxiety, or other emotional and mental disorders, depending on the outcome of the situation. Tom is only a child, probably around the ages of ten to twelve. He is struggling with something that very few adults could handle, let alone a young boy. He should be able to put this issue in the hands of the law and walk away from the situation, leaving behind the pain and confusion he