Tom vs. Mr. Dobbins: School Authority

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Tom's conflict with the harsh schoolmaster, culminating in a humiliating prank.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Late Arrival The Late Arrival from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The First Punishment The Confession Tom arrives late and admits to talking with Huckleberry Finn, a forbidden association.

The Late Arrival from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The First Punishment The Confession Tom arrives late and admits to talking with Huckleberry Finn, a forbidden association.

The First Punishment The Confession Tom arrives late and admits to talking with Huckleberry Finn, a forbidden association. The master whips him and makes him sit with the girls. The Humiliation Tom is forced to sit next to Becky Thatcher, which turns out to be a blessing in disguise. The punishment backfires. The Pattern Mr. Dobbins' harsh discipline only fuels Tom's resentment and desire for revenge.

The Spelling-Book Whipping The Spelling-Book Whipping from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The Unjust Punishment The Ink Spill Alfred Temple pours ink on Tom's spelling-book. Tom is whipped for it, though he is innocent.

The Spelling-Book Whipping from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The Unjust Punishment The Ink Spill Alfred Temple pours ink on Tom's spelling-book. Tom is whipped for it, though he is innocent.

The Unjust Punishment The Ink Spill Alfred Temple pours ink on Tom's spelling-book. Tom is whipped for it, though he is innocent. The Silent Endurance Tom does not reveal the truth, partly because he thinks he might have done it accidentally. He takes the punishment stoically. The Growing Resentment Tom's resentment of Mr. Dobbins grows, and he joins the plot for revenge.

The Examination Prank The Examination Prank from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The Final Revenge The Plot The boys conspire to humiliate Mr. Dobbins on Examination Evening.

The Examination Prank from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". The Final Revenge The Plot The boys conspire to humiliate Mr. Dobbins on Examination Evening.

The Final Revenge The Plot The boys conspire to humiliate Mr. Dobbins on Examination Evening. They arrange for a cat to snatch his wig, revealing his gilded bald head. The Execution The prank succeeds perfectly, causing chaos and laughter. The examination ends in disarray, and the boys are avenged. The Aftermath Mr. Dobbins is humiliated, but the boys escape punishment. Tom's conflict with school authority is resolved through trickery.

Early in the story

Mid-story

Late in the school term