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SUMMARY
The next day, Tom has more instructions for Jim. He designs a, "coat of arms" for the latter and makes him write "mournful inscriptions" on the prison walls. Jim revolts that, since he can't read or write, it would take him a long time to form letters. But Tom wants "no flaws in his record" and, therefore, he helps him by "blocking" letters that Jim can copy. Deciding that Jim needs to dig the inscriptions on a rock, Tom goes out with Huck to fetch a grindstone. The gaudy big grindstone" is too heavy for both the boys and they come back to take Jim's help. While Jim gets down to work, Tom realizes that, according to the novels, it is mandatory for a prisoner to have a "tame pet". Jim is horrified at Tom's Suggestion of getting a rattlesnake as a companion. Ultimately, they settle for garter-snakes and rats. Next, Tom suggests that Jim should have a flower that he can nurture with his tears.
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| The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Chapter 38 |
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Tom Sawyer is an influential character in the novel. He could "out-Superintend any boy". Being an egotist, he doesn't pay heed to any of Huck's common sense plans to free Jim. He executes matters as he likes and invariably lands up in complicated situations.
Despite Huck's disapproval of most of Tom's ludicrous exploits, the ormer acquiesces with the latter. Being the far-sighted boy that Huck is, ne knows that they need Tom's help to extricate themselves from trouble. He has learnt, as in the case of the King and the Duke, that the world should be accepted as it is. Huck's easy and willing acquiescence of Tom's ways makes it easier for the latter to have his own ways.
Various literary scholars have observed "Twain's literary opinions have been tied to realism because they seem to be based on an ingrained hostility toward romantic literature". Through the Royalty, denoted by the "coat of arms", Twain satirizes people's obsession with useless pursuits of grandeur and the splendor associated with it. He also derides sentimentality and syrupy romanticism via Tom's desire to have the "mournful inscriptions" on the "prison walls". His directions to Jim, to have a flower that can be nurtured by the latter's tears, are reminiscent of Emmeline's weepiness in the "Grangerford-Shepherdson" episode.