Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy
Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy
Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy
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Tom Sawyer: Hero <strong>of</strong> Middle America 211<br />
authority, even as he rejects hermiting. Whereas Huck would reject the<br />
hermit's life because it makes no sense even though it comes closer to<br />
his own style <strong>of</strong> living than to Tom's Tom rejects it because it is out <strong>of</strong><br />
fashion. Yet if it were in fashion, Tom would see no way for departing<br />
from the authoritative version <strong>of</strong> hermiting. Tom cannot conceive <strong>of</strong> an<br />
alteration or variation from an authoritative model except if it be founded<br />
upon an equal or superior authority. All Tom's defiances <strong>of</strong> authority are<br />
based, like Euthyphro's,<br />
authority<br />
he seems to defy.<br />
upon a higher and more esoteric version <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Let us then return to the churchly consummation <strong>of</strong> Tom's piratical<br />
Christianity. "When the Sunday-school hour was finished . . . the<br />
began to toll, instead <strong>of</strong> ringing in the usual<br />
bell<br />
way."<br />
The villagers gathered<br />
in the hushed atmosphere induced by the presence <strong>of</strong> the mystery <strong>of</strong><br />
death. "None could remember when the little church had been so full<br />
before."<br />
The congregation rises reverently as the bereaved families enter.<br />
Amidst muffled sobs the minister spreads his hands and prays. "A moving<br />
hymn was sung, and the text followed: 'I am the Resurrection and the<br />
Life.' "<br />
Little could the congregation guess that, but a week before, the<br />
central figure <strong>of</strong> the present drama, sitting in their midst, had lusted after<br />
the glory <strong>of</strong> the httle child who should lead them. They had seen in the<br />
. . [and episodes] that at the time had<br />
departed only "faults and flaws .<br />
cowhide."<br />
seemed rank rascalities, well deserving <strong>of</strong> the<br />
These same<br />
incidents are now related by the minister in such a way as to illustrate<br />
the sweet, generous natures <strong>of</strong> the departed. And the congregation,<br />
conscious that heret<strong>of</strong>ore they had been persistently blinded to the truth<br />
about the lost lads, felt the pangs <strong>of</strong> conscience compounding their grief.<br />
"The congregation became more and more moved,<br />
went on, till at last the whole company broke down,"<br />
the preacher himself. At this moment,<br />
as the pathetic tale<br />
including<br />
in the end<br />
when the pathos <strong>of</strong> the occasion<br />
had reached its extremity, there is a rustle in the gallery. A moment later<br />
the astounding event occurs, as the three boys come up the aisle, Tom in<br />
the lead, Joe behind, and Huck in his tattered rags slinking miserably in<br />
the rear. In the pandemonium that follows, two incidents are remarkable.<br />
As their families throw themselves upon Tom and Joe, Tom laid hold <strong>of</strong><br />
Huck and said, "Aunt PoUy, it ain't fair. Somebody's got to be glad to<br />
see Huck."<br />
As Aunt PoUy responds with her warm humanity, the<br />
minister's voice thunders out, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow<br />
SING! and put your hearts in it!"<br />
"And they did. Old Hundred swelled<br />
up with a triumphant burst, and whUe it shook the rafters Tom Sawyer<br />
the Pirate looked around upon the envying juveniles about him and con<br />
fessed in his heart that this was the proudest moment <strong>of</strong> his life."<br />
We are told by<br />
they said they would almost be willing<br />
Old Hundred sung like that once<br />
the author that "As the 'sold'<br />
congregation trooped out<br />
to be made ridiculous again to hear<br />
more."<br />
This puts us in mind <strong>of</strong> the<br />
missionary piracy <strong>of</strong> the king, as he worked the camp meeting in Poke-<br />
ville, in Huckleberry Finn, as well as reminding us <strong>of</strong> how the king and