from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain
Tom’s mind was made up now. He was gloomy and desperate. He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame him for the consequences—why shouldn't they? What right had the friendless to complain? Yes, they had forced him to it at last: he would lead a life of crime. There was no choice.
(Tom is now joined by Joe)…As the two boys walked sorrowing along, they made a new compact to stand by each other and be brothers and never separate till death relieved them of their troubles. Then they began to lay their plans. Joe was for being a hermit, and living on crusts in a remote cave, and dying, some time, of cold and want and grief; but after listening to Tom, he conceded that there were some conspicuous advantages about a life of crime, and so he consented to be a pirate.
Three miles below St. Petersburg, at a point where the Mississippi River was a trifle over a mile wide, there was a long, narrow, wooded island, with a shallow bar at the head of it, and this offered well as a rendezvous. It was not inhabited; it lay far over toward the further shore, abreast a dense and almost wholly unpeopled forest. So Jackson's Island was chosen. Who were to be the subjects of their piracies was a matter that did not occur to them.
Question
Which MOST LIKELY describes the effect of Mark Twain's choice for the setting of his novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer?
Consider both passage excerpts.
Responses
A Twain's choice of such a dangerous setting hints that either Tom or Joe will suffer a violent death.
B Twain's choice of a great American river for the setting suggests the novel will become a great American classic.
C Twain's choice of this river for the setting adds a sense of adventure and also makes the novel seem believable.
D Twain's choice of this particular river assures readers that the boys will trade bear and deer hides with pirates
1 answer