Tom Sawyer characters

Tom Sawyer

Also known as Tom, Thomas Sawyer

The mischievous, imaginative boy protagonist of St. Petersburg, forever scheming to dodge chores, school, and church while craving adventure and glory. Ward of his Aunt Polly.

Bonds:PollyAunt and nephewSidHalf-brothersBeckySweetheartsHuckleberryFriends

Huckleberry Finn

Also known as Huck, Huckleberry, Huck Finn

The town's ragged outcast, son of the local drunkard, who answers to no one and lives entirely free; Tom's admired and forbidden companion who witnesses the graveyard murder with him.

Bonds:TomFriendsWidowGood friendsInjun JoeMurderer and witness

Becky Thatcher

Also known as Becky

The pretty new girl in town and Judge Thatcher's daughter, who becomes the object of Tom's infatuation and is later lost with him in the cave.

Bonds:TomSweetheartsJudgeFather and daughterDobbinsSchoolmaster and pupil

Aunt Polly

Also known as Polly

Tom's elderly, warm-hearted but exasperated aunt and guardian, torn between duty to discipline him and helpless love for him.

Bonds:TomAunt and nephewSidGuardian and wardMarySame household

Injun Joe

Also known as the half-breed

The story's vengeful, murderous villain, a grave-robber who kills Dr. Robinson in the graveyard and frames Muff Potter, later menacing Tom and Becky in the cave.

Bonds:RobinsonMurderer and victimMuffKiller and scapegoatTomMurderer and witnessHuckleberryMurderer and witness

Muff Potter

Also known as Muff, Potter

The good-natured town drunkard, Injun Joe's grave-digging companion, who is wrongly accused of Dr. Robinson's murder after being knocked senseless.

Bonds:Injun JoeKiller and scapegoat

Sid

Also known as Sid Sawyer

Tom's prim, well-behaved younger half-brother, a model boy who tattles on Tom and stands as his foil.

Bonds:TomHalf-brothersPollyGuardian and ward

Joe Harper

Also known as Joe

Tom's bosom friend and fellow runaway, who joins Tom and Huck in playing pirates on Jackson's Island.

Bonds:TomBosom friends

Judge Thatcher

Becky's father, a distinguished and respected county official visiting St. Petersburg, an imposing figure of authority in the town.

Bonds:BeckyFather and daughter

the Widow Douglas

A kindly, well-to-do widow whose hill mansion is the town's finest; later Huck's protector and benefactress.

Bonds:HuckleberryGood friends

Mary

Tom's gentle, sweet-tempered older cousin, who coaxes him kindly through his chores and lessons.

Bonds:TomCousinsPollySame household

Jim

The young enslaved boy in Aunt Polly's household, whom Tom tries to trick into whitewashing the fence for him.

Bonds:TomShared chores

Dr. Robinson

Also known as Doctor Robinson, young Doctor Robinson

A young town doctor who hires Injun Joe and Muff Potter to rob a grave for medical use and is murdered by Injun Joe during the ensuing scuffle.

Bonds:Injun JoeMurderer and victim

Ben Rogers

Also known as Ben

A local boy Tom cons into paying for the privilege of whitewashing the fence, the first of many 'innocents' beguiled.

Bonds:TomWhitewashing bargain

Mr. Dobbins

Also known as Dobbins, the master

The stern village schoolmaster, quick with the rod and secretly bald beneath his wig, whose examination-day dignity Tom's pranks undermine.

Bonds:BeckySchoolmaster and pupilTomSchoolmaster and pupil