Abstract:  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, masterpiece of Mark Twain, portrays an image of the American new generation, Tom Sawyer. The thesis, by analyzing what he does in his interesting childhood, aims to interpret the American spirit that Tom reflects. Tom’s challenge to the hypocritical and vulgar social customs is a good example of the American spirit of pursuing equality. His escape from rigid school education and strict family control tells that what the American new generation desire is freedom. The little boy’s escape from home to an isolated island shows his love of adventure. The strong adaptability of Americans is reflected by his gain of the Bible and Ben’s help with the fence brushing. It is no doubt that the charm of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is not the story itself, but the American spirit reflected on Tom Sawyer. 

Keywords: Mark Twain;  Tom Sawyer;  American spirit;

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction .1

  1.1 Introduction to Mark Twain

  1.2 Introduction to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

  1.3 Literature Review

2. American Spirit Reflected on Tom Sawyer .2

2.1 Pursuit of Equality——Tom’s Challenge to Hypocritical and Vulgar Social Customs

2.2 Desire for Freedom——Tom’s Challenge to Rigid School Education and Strict Family Control

2.3 Instinct to Adventure——Tom’s Running to an Isolated Island

2.4 Strong Adaptability——Tom’s Gain of the Bible and Ben’s Help with Fence Brushing     

3. Conclusion3

Bibliography.4 Acknowledgment .....5