Structuralism analysis a final project

4.3.3. Sense of Responsibility
The third of Tom Sawyer’s moral value is the sense of responsibility. This can be 
seen when Tom and Becky were lost in Mc Dougal cave for three days and three 
nights (chapter 30). In a picnic for children and teenagers of the village, Tom and 
Becky were separated from their group and lost for days in Mc Dougal cave.
They try to find a way out, but their search ends in vain. They started to shout 
and expected someone to answer it. Until they felt exhaustion, hunger, fear, and 
despair especially Becky who started to cry. Her heart was filled with fear and 
regrets. Finally, she got into a situation where she became very weak, immersed in 
a sense of despair, and hunger. She gave up and decided to wait for her death at 
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the place where she was now. Tom started looking for a way out alone against his 
fear, hunger, and exhaustion to find a way out of the cave. It can be seen from the 
following quote : He proposed to explore another passage. He felt willing to risk 
Injun Joe and all other terrors. (TWAIN, 1876: 181)
All this exertion is encouraged because it is his responsibility to save Becky 
Thatcher, the girl he loves. Finally, his attempt was successful when he saw a blue 
light that brought them out of the cave. In this scene, Tom shows his character 
that corresponds to what is described by Suparno (2003) that responsibility means 
ready to accept the consequences upon the deed that has been done.
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5 
CONCLUSION 
On the TAoTS novel, Mark Twain describes Tom Sawyer’s character by the 
direct method (Telling) and the indirect method (Showing). These two methods 
give an explanation to readers about Tom Sawyer’s characteristic. In the direct 
method (telling) Mark Twain explains it through direct explanation. In the indirect 
method (showing) Mark Twain explains it through the dialogue between Tom and 
the other characters in the novel. These explanations are very useful for the reader 
because it can extends the description of Tom Sawyer’s characteristic. Tom 
Sawyer’s character that is found in this novel is that Tom Sawyer has the 
character of a leader, courageous, compassionate and willing to make sacrifices. 
The understanding of Tom Sawyer’s character leads the readers to the three 
moral values that shown in the novel. In this study, the three moral values namely: 
strong heart, bravery, and the sense of responsibility. From the three moral values 
that mentioned above the reader can see the real Tom Sawyer. Sometimes, he is a 
bad and naughty boy, on the other occasion he become a leader that has a strong 
heart, bravery, and the sense of responsibility. 
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