1. Social Hierarchy and Hypocrisy:
* The adults: Adults are often depicted as hypocritical and judgmental. Aunt Polly represents the rigid moral code of the time, while the town's adults are obsessed with appearances and gossip. They condemn Tom's "wickedness" but overlook their own shortcomings.
* The "good" vs. "bad" boys: The book satirizes the strict moral code of the time, especially regarding the rigid categorization of boys as "good" and "bad". Tom's escapades defy these categories, showing how arbitrary these labels can be. He's often praised for acts of "goodness" that are motivated by self-interest or adventure.
2. Education and Religion:
* The "dreaded" school: Twain satirizes the dull and rigid nature of 19th-century education. Tom's escapades at school highlight the absurdity of rote learning and the boredom of traditional teaching methods.
* Religious hypocrisy: The adults' focus on outward religious observance without real piety is satirized, particularly in the "Sunday school" scenes. The adults preach morality but engage in hypocritical behavior.
3. The Nature of Justice:
* The "Injun Joe" storyline: The story of Injun Joe highlights the prejudice and injustice faced by Native Americans. The portrayal of Injun Joe as a villain is a satire of the racial stereotypes prevalent at the time.
* The courtroom scene: The courtroom scene satirizes the legal system, showing how it can be manipulated by the powerful and how justice can be miscarried.
4. The "whitewashing" scene: This scene is a brilliant example of satire, highlighting the absurdity of forcing children to perform tedious labor. It contrasts Tom's playful ingenuity with the adults' blind adherence to rigid rules.
5. The "treasure hunt" and "lost gold" storylines: These plots satirize the human desire for wealth and the pursuit of material possessions. They show how these pursuits can lead to obsession and even danger.
Overall, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" uses humor and exaggeration to expose the hypocrisy and absurdity of 19th-century American society. By making fun of its flaws, Twain encourages his readers to question conventional wisdom and to see the world with fresh eyes.