A Good Role Model In Mark Twain's The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer

Role Model Argument

According to Merriam-Webster, a good role model is “someone who another person admires and tries to be like”. This quote shows that a good role model should be someone other people admire and try to be like, but in the book clearly Tom does not fit that statement. A good role model should be honest so that others can look up to them in a positive way. A good role model should also follow the rules so others may follow as well. In the novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom Sawyer is not a good role model because a good role model should follow the rules and a good role model should be honest.

First, Tom is not a good role model because he does not follow the rules. For example, Tom is tricking the other kids around his neighborhood into whitewashing the fence for him. He said, “‘Like It? Well, I don’t see why I oughtn’t to

For example, Tom tries to trick Aunt Polly into thinking that his toe is about to fall off so he won’t need to go to school. He says, “‘Oh, auntie, I’m-”’ “‘What's the matter with you?-what is the matter with you child?”” “‘Oh auntie, my toe’s mortified.”’ (p.40) As a rule, a good role model should be honest, but Tom is lying to his aunt so he does not need to go to school. Also, Tom lies to his aunt about a special dream he had. Aunt Polly said, “‘Go on, Tom!”’ “‘Just let me study a moment just a moment. Oh yes-.”’ (p.112) As a rule, a good role model should respect others feelings, but Tom is lying to aunt Polly making her tell her friends something that is not true. In conclusion, Tom is a bad role model. Tom is not a good role model mainly because Tom does not follow the rules and he is not honest. Tom tricks kids into whitewashing, Tom also cheated to win a bible. One time Tom tricked Aunt Polly into thinking that his toe is falling off, one day Tom lies to Aunt Polly about his dream. Based on Tom’s actions we can see that Tom is a lousy role