<P> Thomas "Tom" Sawyer, based on the young Samuel Clemens, is a cunning and playful boy of about 12 years of age, and the protagonist of the story . His best friends include Joe Harper and Huckleberry Finn . He has a half - brother, Sid Sawyer, a cousin, Mary, and an Aunt Polly, the sister of his dead mother . He lives with them in the town of St. Petersburg, Missouri . Also, he has another aunt, Sally Phelps, who lives considerably farther down the Mississippi River, in the town of Pikesville . Tom loves to go on adventures and wants to become an Indian pirate . He fell in love with his classmate Becky Thatcher and was once "engaged" to Amy Lawrence . Tom is imaginative and obsessed with stories . Despite his mischief, Tom is good - hearted and has an active moral code as well . </P> <P> Tom and Sid's other aunt, Sally Phelps, lives considerably farther down the Mississippi River, in the town of Pikesville . She is married to Silas Phelps . </P> <P> Mary's mother and Tom and Sid's aunt, the sister of their dead mother . Tom and Sid live with Aunt Polly and her daughter Mary . She does at first seem a bit controlling and abusive, but despite the relentless discipline and spiritual guidance she dispenses, she comes off as a caring, noble character . When Tom points out that nobody seems to care about Huck's being alive after they were both presumed dead, Aunt Polly generously gives her love to Huck as well, saying, "And so they shall . I'm glad to see him, poor motherless thing!" and the "loving attentions Aunt Polly lavished upon him were the one thing capable of making him more uncomfortable than he was before ." In fact, the last impression we get of Aunt Polly is of a similar nature: "There was something about Aunt Polly's manner when she kissed Tom, that swept away his low spirits and made him lighthearted and happy again ." She is a very bright woman, and she cares about Tom, Sid, Mary, and Huck . </P> <P> Aunt Polly's daughter and Tom and Sid's cousin . She is gentle and good - natured and has great patience with Tom despite his tricks . </P>

Major characters in the adventures of tom sawyer