Tom Sawyer lives with his Aunt Polly, cousin Mary, and brother Sid in St. Petersburg, Missouri. Tom is a twelve-year-old mischievous boy with a strong imagination. He frequently foregoes school and duties in order to spend time with his buddies playing pirates, robbers, and other adventures.
CLIMAX
Tom and his pal Huck witness Injun Joe murder Dr. Robinson during one of their midnight adventures. They are terrified to expose the truth when they learn that Muff Potter has been arrested for the crime.
FALLING ACTION
When Injun Joe disappears, Tom returns to his old ways. He and his friends run away to Jackson’s Island and return days later to attend their own funeral. Later, they spy Injun Joe in disguise with a secret treasure. Huck stays in town to watch Joe, while Tom goes on an outing with Becky to McDougal’s cave. He and Becky separate from the group and become lost in the cave.
RESOLUTION
Huck overhears Injun Joe plotting to murder the Widow Douglas in town and risks his life to send help. Tom is urgently searching for a way out of the cave when he finds Injun Joe.
Widow Douglas takes in Huck and cares for him while he is ill, safe from Injun Joe. Tom and Becky flee the cave, and Judge Thatcher seals it, inadvertently confining Injun Joe and causing his death by famine.
Tom and Huck search the cave for Injun Joe's treasure. The two become a legendary pair in St. Petersburg as a result of their exploits, valor, and newly acquired fortune.