The Balancing Act

A scale sits on the table, perfectly balanced with fun and happiness on one side, and fundamental learning on the other. To take one of these things completely off causes it to tip, and thus missing the whole point of a scale all together. Tom’s childhood and his life growing up is almost balanced, but his personality wouldn’t stand for perfect. One side sinks a little lower with the weight of his enjoyment and adventure, for this scale is a unique one, and Tom couldn’t have chosen better. The right balance of innocent behavior and knowledge can guide a child into a wonderful life.

When we are children, life is simple, and some wish it could be that way throughout their lifetime. This novel is filled with all types of adventures, all of which Tom handle with surprising ease. The way he reacts to them shows he can definitely handle the world in his life, whether he has tremendous luck, or even the opposite. Tom does not benefit too much from these adventures, but one can see the little changes that happen after each one, changes for the better.

Some people think this novel is all about a young prankster causing mayhem in his small town, but what Tom is really doing is going on these adventures that teach him important things in life, although he doesn’t know it. When Tom is in the graveyard, there is something more than just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, this scene is all about deception, and pure evil, which is something everyone will experience growing up. To have the composure Tom manages to hold on to shows that he will be a strong man as he grows, even if as he lays feeble in bed at night at the thought of this, because everyone has weaknesses. Being trapped in a cave with your love, almost certain on dying, it is nearly impossible to focus on positives, but that is exactly what Tom did. He never stopped trying to save himself and Becky, and a hero was born in that moment, as Tom fought to be brave and seek rescue, and for that they escaped.

Tom’s innocent ways are enough for him, which makes it almost pointless to grow up. He is content and has everything he needs to know to live the life he wants to live, so why should things be any different? The scene where the boys escape to be pirates illustrates this point, because it is just a silly adventure, the thing Tom lives for. There can be buried meanings in these, but being a child isn’t just about learning how to live your life, but to have fun too! This could be one of the reasons Tom does not gain experience from all this, but another reason is simply because these adventures are child-like, not meant to scar him forever, but meant to show him some of his future.

This reason this novel ends is because Tom will soon no longer be just a boy, his scale has led him right into growing up, and he knows just what to do next. If any of the events in the novel did not happen Tom’s personality could have changed, even if it was by a small amount. I’m glad Tom is still as mature as he was in the beginning of this book, because if he changed, he would not be the pranking, silly, affectionate child the world has come to love.