First job? Check. First time going to a bank and a lawyer? Check. First taste of alcohol? Check. This book is jam-packed with firsts as Tom morphs from a little boy into a successful provider for his family.
In its emphasis on firsts and change, Tom's story is like many other coming-of-age novels. However, unlike some other coming-of-age classics, such as The Catcher in the Rye or The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, Tom's story doesn't include a strong sense of loss or disillusionment as he experiences the grownup world. Though Tom certainly sees some unsavory sides of adult life, most of the adults Tom interacts with have a positive impact on him, and he has a positive impact on them as well.
Questions About Coming of Age
- How is Tom different at the end of the book than at the beginning? Have any of his qualities stayed the same?
- Is Tom's coming-of-age story entirely positive when compared to other coming-of-age stories? What makes Tom's story different?
- Is Tom so focused on making changes in his life that he loses his childhood? Or is childhood a luxury that didn't have the same joy to it in Tom's time?
Chew on This
Some people, like Chick Hannaberry and Nob Dolan, never come of age; coming of age is not a universal experience.
Tom becomes more successful throughout the story, but he maintains the same values and personality from beginning to end.