The Adventures of 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.

As drawn: A barefoot boy of about twelve with a sun-freckled, tanned face and tousled brown hair, bright restless eyes full of mischief, dressed in a patched homespun shirt and rolled-up suspendered trousers with a battered straw hat, typical of an 1840s Missouri river-town boy.

Bonds:SidHalf-brothersMaryLesson helperBeckyNew acquaintancesPollyAunt-nephew

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.

As drawn: A homeless boy of about Tom's age dressed in the cast-off, oversized clothes of grown men, perennially fluttering with rags: a vast ruined hat with a crescent lopped from its brim, a coat hanging to his heels, trousers held by a single suspender and dragging in the dirt. Barefoot, with unkempt hair and a dirt-smudged, cheerful face.

Bonds:BenTrade acquaintances

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.

As drawn: A pretty, well-to-do girl of about Tom's age with long golden-yellow hair worn in two braids, blue eyes, and a fair, sweet face, dressed in a clean, ribboned summer frock and pinafore.

Bonds:TomNew acquaintancesJudgeFather-daughterMarySchoolmates

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.

As drawn: A kindly, gray-haired elderly spinster who peers over her spectacles, wearing a plain calico dress, apron, and cap, a thimble on her finger and a slipper often in hand.

Bonds:SidHousehold authorityTomAunt-nephew

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.

As drawn: A lean, menacing man with a weathered dark complexion, long straight black hair, and fierce, flaming eyes, dressed in rough ragged clothing; described in the text as a 'half-breed.'

Bonds:MuffCriminal associatesTomMortal enemiesRobinsonCrime partnersWidowMurderous threat

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.

As drawn: A shabby, middle-aged drunkard with unkempt gray-streaked hair and a stubbled, bleary but kindly face, wearing worn and ragged clothes.

Bonds:InjunCriminal associatesRobinsonCrime partners

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.

As drawn: A neat, tidy boy younger than Tom, with smoothly combed hair and clean, orderly clothes, wearing a smug, self-satisfied model-boy expression.

Bonds:TomHalf-brothersPollyHousehold authority

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.

As drawn: A barefoot boy of about Tom's age in ordinary homespun boyish clothes, with brown hair and an easygoing face; plays the pirate 'Terror of the Seas.'

Judge Thatcher

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

As drawn: A portly, dignified middle-aged gentleman of consequence, well-dressed in a fine dark frock coat and waistcoat, with an air of grave importance.

Bonds:BeckyFather-daughter

the Widow Douglas

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

As drawn: A gentle, handsome widow of about forty, 'fair, smart, and forty,' dressed in respectable, genteel dark attire.

Bonds:InjunMurderous threat

Mary

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

As drawn: A kind-faced young woman with neatly combed brown hair, dressed modestly and cleanly in a simple frock.

Bonds:TomLesson helperBeckySchoolmates

Jim

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

As drawn: A small, cheerful enslaved boy in simple homespun servant's clothes, barefoot, carrying a tin water pail and singing.

Bonds:TomWork companions

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.

As drawn: A respectable young man dressed in a gentleman's coat, carrying a lantern; described as young and promising.

Bonds:MuffCrime partnersInjunCrime partners

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.

As drawn: A plump, cheerful barefoot boy of about Tom's age, munching an apple, in homespun clothes, gleefully imitating a steamboat.

Bonds:TomSocial rivalsHuckleberryTrade acquaintances

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.

As drawn: A middle-aged, muscular schoolmaster with a shiny bald head concealed under a wig, a severe face, dressed in a plain dark coat and carrying a rod and ferule.