In Tom Sawyer, it is almost impossible to read a chapter and not relate to the text. In chapter 21, the school holiday is approaching and the students and schoolmasters are scrambling to prepare for “examination day,” when most of the town files into the school to watch the students display their learning’s from the year. The majority of students are required to recite a poem or display another skill they have nourished over the year. Student after student achieves his or hers goal of making it through their part of the night, but some students crack under the pressure of performing and cannot persevere through their stage freight. Unfortunately, Tom could not achieve his difficult task and forget what he was reciting,
“Tom struggled awhile and then retired, utterly defeated. There was a weak attempt at applause, but it died early.”
Like Tom, I have experienced the anxieties of performing in front of large audiences. When I read this chapter, I was able to relate to Tom’s anxieties personally. When I was in seventh grade, I took part in a public speaking contest at my school. The contest required us to memorize a piece of literature and present it to our class. If we spoke well when presenting, we got the opportunity to present in front of the entire school. I was fortunate and performed well in my class presentation and received the opportunity of presenting once more in front of the school. On my presenting day, I was filled with anxiety and I felt as if I was going to fail. When I was presenting I forget very little of the piece, but my legs and body shook as a result of my anxiety and I did not advance. It is these types of scenes within the novel that allow us to relate personally and freely to the book.
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