Tom’s character might be summed up in the statement that he makes when Aunt Polly chastises him for lying to her and, more important, letting her make a fool of herself in front of Mrs. Harper: “Auntie, I know now that it was mean, but I didn’t mean to be mean. I didn’t. Honest.” His statement reflects the universal thoughtlessness and inconsideration that such youths have for the adult. Rather than detract from Tom’s total worth, it merely confirms that his actions are those of most early adolescents. And to Tom’s credit, he does acknowledge that his good joke now looks mean and shabby.
Even Aunt Polly would readily admit that the whole scheme had a certain flair and imagination about it and that, if she had not been the principal sufferer concerned, she could have laughed at the entire plan. Nevertheless, the simple truth remains that she was very hurt and frightened by this practical joke, regardless of its mastery. Her hurt is deepened by Tom’s lying to her and allowing her to look foolish in the eyes of Mrs. Harper. She does, however, check out Tom’s statement, and finding the note written on the bark, she knows again of Tom’s basic goodness and love for her.
During the nineteenth century, it was a very common practice to use a paddle or some other instrument in order to whip children. Although boys were whipped frequently, young girls were virtually never whipped. Knowing this fact increases the horror of what Becky faces if it is revealed that she tore the anatomy book. Not only would it have been a horrible ordeal for Becky, who is basically sweet, to be beaten, but it also would have been a disgrace for her family. Tom’s actions—accepting the blame for the torn page and taking the beating in Becky’s place—redeem his character and are best summarized by Becky’s simple statement “Tom, how COULD you be so noble.”
The two incidents concerning the spilled ink on the spelling book and the torn page in the prized anatomy book make a parallel contrast to the earlier scene in which Tom hurt his Aunt Polly: Tom is falsely accused of spilling ink on his spelling book, and Becky could have easily saved him, but she remains silent. In contrast, Tom could have let Becky take her deserved punishment, but he cannot bear to have her distressed and humiliated; therefore, he nobly takes her punishment for her. In this contrast, Tom is seen as more kind and less spiteful than Becky.
Chapter XIX functions partly to make Tom aware of Becky’s actions. Feeling contrite for how badly he has treated his Aunt Polly, he is able to return to school and offer an apology to Becky for ignoring her and her picnic. Chapter XX presents the further estrangement between Becky and Tom. By the end of Chapter XX, however, everything is resolved between them, and we are ready for the later cave scene where the two youths will be lost together.
By following this chapter (The Cruelty of “I Don’t Think”) with the next (Tom Takes Becky’s Punishment), Twain contrasts Tom’s thoughtlessness in the first with his sacrifice for Becky Thatcher in the second.
