Wednesday, February 8, 2012

What does the last line of chapter 17 mean in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer?

The last sentence of chapter 17 of Mark Twain's
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
reads:


Tom got more cuffs and kisses that day --
according to Aunt Polly's varying moods -- than he had earned before in a year; and he
hardly knew which expressed the most gratefulness to God and affection for
himself.

As we know, Tom had left home and had
been gone for nearly a week. The entire town was put on alert, and even the pastor sings
praises once Tom returns. However, Tom's absence causes  both anger and frustration just
as his return causes joy and relief.


This being said, a
"cuff" is a slap behind the head. This is apparently a common thing for parents to do to
their children during the time the story is told. This means that Aunt Polly has
probably slapped Tom behind the head a few times out of frustration, and then quickly
she would kiss him and show him affection due to the joy of having him back. Depending
on her mood, she would do one thing or the other. This is basically what it means that
he got more cuff and kisses in that one day of his return than he had earned before in a
year.

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