Re-read the two passages below. What is happening here?  How does Twain feel about the public's commitment to finding truth and justice?  What does this say about the likelihood of Potter's receiving a fair trial?  Compare and contrast the two passages.  Why is there a difference between the response to Potter and Injun Joe?  Pick a group member to read the passage aloud.  You may want to perform a bit--keep in mind how dramatic this event was in the town. 

    A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter -- so the story ran. And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the "branch" about one or two o'clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off -- suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter. It was also said that the town had been ransacked for this "murderer" (the public are not slow in the matter of sifting evidence and arriving at a verdict), but that he could not be found. Horsemen had departed down all the roads in every direction, and the Sheriff "was confident" that he would be captured before night. (p. 105-106)

   The villagers had a strong desire to tar-and-feather Injun Joe and ride him on a rail, for body-snatching, but so formidable was his character that nobody could be found who was willing to take the lead in the matter, so it was dropped. He had been careful to begin both of his inquest-statements with the fight, without confessing the grave-robbery that preceded it; therefore it was deemed wisest not to try the case in the courts at present. (p. 111)

Return to Tom Sawyer Main Page