I found it interesting looking at the role of parents in the 19th century. Aunt Polly was Tom Sawyer's primary caregiver which I find interesting that in a lot of these novels we've read, many of the caregivers have not been a mom or a dad but given by someone else. Nan Grant was the wretched old woman who took care of Gerty and she "pulled the child into the house, amidst blows, threats, and profane and brutal language" (81). Gerty was beaten for no reason, she was just seen as an inconvenience to Nan Grant so Nan seemed to take any chance given to release her emotions on Gerty.
We see a sharp contrast with Aunt Polly who though she beats Tom, she feels remorse. "then her conscience reproached her, and she yearned to say something kind and loving; but she judged that this would be construed into a confession that she had been in the wrong,and discipline forbade that. So she kept silence, and went about her affairs with a troubled heart" (421). Tom probably deserved more than he got simply because he is a little stinker but seeing the compassion and remorse in Aunt Polly helps us to be able to understand the emotions behind the actions. Not that this justifies it, but it helps keeps the readers view of Aunt Polly remain positive. We can see that in a moment of fury, Aunt Polly let loose on her emotions but then was very sorry for what she did. For the audience that read this novel,it spoke to the parents because I'm sure that many parents feel bad about spanking their children after but don't apologize because then that means that their kids are above discipline and have no need to respect their parents. At the same time, seeing Aunt Polly remorseful can help to encourage children that being disciplined does have an effect on the discipliner and that getting a spanking doesn't mean that their parents or caregivers are bad and terrible people.
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I like how you talked about the ideas of parenting. Tom Sawyer is the first actual book we have read that the child has an actual relative as the primary caregiver. I agree with you, that this novel spoke to parents and was not only for the child to learn something, but the parents also! Overall great topic!
ReplyDeleteI like how you pointed out the contrast between Nan Grant and Aunt Polly. Nan Grant was just freaking mean. She hurt Gerty because she was power hungry and just simply didn't like the poor girl. Aunt Polly does want what's best for Tom and some times doesn't always discipline in the way that she later thought she should.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you noted that Aunt Polly fits in with the fact that most of the adults caring for children in the 19th century fiction were not the actual parents. I wonder what the authors were trying to tell the society at that point in time? I also like how you talk about how Aunt Polly feels bad about spanking or beating Tom. We all know he deserved it!
ReplyDeleteI really like your post! I hadn't completely thought about the fact that most of the children we have read about aren't raised by their biological parents. It makes me wonder the same thing as Effie. Was this prevalent in society at this time or was it just trying to teach and show families that not everything is always perfect?
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