Chapter XVI
SummaryThat afternoon the boys find turtle eggs on the sandbar and have a feast. After eating, they spend the whole day outside, playing and having a blat, but homesickness still catches up with them. Tom finds himself wring Becky in the sand and Joe brings up the idea of going home again. Huck sides with Joe and the two start heading off the island, but just before they could leave, Tom tells them his secret plan and the boys agree to stay. After Huck and Joe come back, Huck lights up a pip and Tom and Joe ask to try one. After a couple puffs, the boys exclaim how easy it is and how they are going to show their new skill to all the boys at home, but before they know it, the boys fall terrible ill, and run off to "look for Joe's knife lost knife." After a long wait, Huck finds two boys asleep on different parts of the island. Later that evening, Huck prepares another pipe, but Tom and Huck feel to sick to smoke again.
As night arrives, a astronomical storm comes in over the island, taking their tent with it. This causes the boys to hide under a large oak tree and watch the horror take place over the island. When they return to camp, everything id destroyed. They then start to build a fire from the embers of the burnt tree (lightning struck the tree). After sleeping for sometime, they decide to quench their homesickness with pretending to be Indians (Native Americans). In order to do this correctly, the boys have to smoke pipes of piece. Luckily, Tom and Joe didn't get nearly as sick this time. |
Analysis |
This chapter shows Tom's intellect and understanding of the boys minds. His "last resort" of telling them his plan would easily sway them, knowing that they would follow their curiosity and a chance at fame. Huck, now being looked up to (for smoking), helps the boys light up a pipe. This is another chance for the boys to show-off, which is constantly something that happens in the book. It seems to represent childhood and immaturity as they prove themselves to their peers.
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questions to think about |
What is Tom planning on doing?
Why was there a storm? Is it a symbol for something? |
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