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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Complete, Chapter 12 summary

Chapter 12 of 35 · 7 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 12, Tom grows miserable over Becky Thatcher’s illness, and Aunt Polly treats his sadness with harsh remedies until his experiment on her cat makes her reconsider. When Becky returns to school, Tom performs wild stunts to attract her attention, but her dismissive comment leaves him ashamed and dejected.

What happens

  1. Becky Thatcher’s absence and illness leave Tom miserable, so his aunt begins a series of health treatments.
  2. Aunt Polly replaces water treatments with Pain-killer, which Tom secretly pours into a floor crack while pretending to enjoy it.
  3. Tom gives Peter some medicine, and the cat races wildly through the house before escaping through a window.
  4. Aunt Polly discovers the teaspoon, but Tom’s comparison between treating cats and boys makes her soften and stop his medicine.
  5. Tom waits anxiously at school and tries unsuccessfully to draw news of Becky from Jeff Thatcher.
  6. Becky returns, ignores Tom’s frantic performances, and dismisses his showing off, leaving him humiliated.

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In this chapter

TomAunt PollyBecky Thatcher

What to notice

Tom turns his punishment into a criticism of Aunt Polly’s care. His comparison helps her recognize that a remedy can hurt a boy as well as a cat.

Quick check

What makes Aunt Polly reconsider Tom’s treatment?

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