Tom and Aunt Polly's Love Despite Conflict

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The deep, enduring love between Tom and his aunt, which survives all their clashes.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Jam Theft and Laughter The Jam Theft and Laughter from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The Affectionate Chase The Escape Tom steals jam and escapes punishment by distracting Aunt Polly. She laughs despite herself, revealing her love.

The Jam Theft and Laughter from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The Affectionate Chase The Escape Tom steals jam and escapes punishment by distracting Aunt Polly. She laughs despite herself, revealing her love.

The Affectionate Chase The Escape Tom steals jam and escapes punishment by distracting Aunt Polly. She laughs despite herself, revealing her love. The Conscience Polly worries about spoiling Tom but cannot bring herself to be harsh. Her love overrides her discipline. The Bond This scene establishes the affectionate, if contentious, relationship between them.

The Funeral Grief and Joy The Funeral Grief and Joy from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The Mourning The Sorrow When Tom is believed dead, Polly grieves deeply, remembering his good qualities. She prays for him and regrets her harshness.

The Funeral Grief and Joy from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The Mourning The Sorrow When Tom is believed dead, Polly grieves deeply, remembering his good qualities. She prays for him and regrets her harshness.

The Mourning The Sorrow When Tom is believed dead, Polly grieves deeply, remembering his good qualities. She prays for him and regrets her harshness. The Reunion Tom's return at his own funeral brings overwhelming joy. Polly forgives him everything, and her love is reaffirmed. The Dream Revelation Tom's account of his dream (actually a real visit) convinces Polly of his love. She treasures the sycamore bark message.

The Pain-killer Remorse The Pain-killer Remorse from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The Quarrel and Reconciliation The Medicine War Polly forces Tom to take Pain-killer, and he feeds it to the cat. She thumps his head with her thimble.

The Pain-killer Remorse from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The Quarrel and Reconciliation The Medicine War Polly forces Tom to take Pain-killer, and he feeds it to the cat. She thumps his head with her thimble.

The Quarrel and Reconciliation The Medicine War Polly forces Tom to take Pain-killer, and he feeds it to the cat. She thumps his head with her thimble. The Remorse Polly feels guilty when Tom says he acted out of pity for the cat. She softens and allows him to stop taking medicine. The Love Endures Their conflict resolves into a deeper understanding. Polly's love is unconditional, and Tom knows it.

Early in the story

Mid-story

After the funeral, mid-story