We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Race Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"That's all right. Now, where you going to sleep?"

"In Ben Rogers's hayloft. He lets me, and so does his pap's n***** man, Uncle Jake. I tote water for Uncle Jake whenever he wants me to, and any time I ask him he gives me a little something to eat if he can spare it. That's a mighty good n*****, Tom. He likes me, becuz I don't ever act as if I was above him. Sometime I've set right down and eat with him. But you needn't tell that. A body's got to do things when he's awful hungry he wouldn't want to do as a steady thing." (28.31-32)

Here, Huck demonstrates that he is both conscious of racial divisions and that he is able to look past them.

Quote #8

"It ain't the millionth part of it! He had me horsewhipped!—horsewhipped in front of the jail, like a n*****!—and with all the town looking on." (29.30)

Here, Injun Joe shows that he is conscious of his own racial identity and they do suggest that he has been a victim of prejudice.

Quote #9

""It's all plain enough, now. When you talked about notching ears and slitting noses I judged that that was your own embellishment, because white men don't take that sort of revenge. But an Injun! That's a different matter altogether." (30.36)

The Welshman shows just how deeply ingrained racial prejudices can be.