Becky Thatcher
The judge's daughter, whose pride and affection complicate Tom's idea of romance.
She wants Tom's affection to be sincere and exclusive, and wants to preserve her dignity when she feels deceived.
The book
Who they are in the book
Spoiler-freeBecky is often the audience Tom hopes to impress, but she also acts on her own curiosity, jealousy and judgment. Her responses can interrupt the story he would prefer to tell about himself.
How the book draws them
- Curiosity before courtshipIn Chapter VI, Becky wants to see Tom's drawing and learn how to draw. Their exchange begins with a shared activity before he turns it into a declaration of love.
- A promise loses its noveltyIn Chapter VII, Tom's mention of Amy Lawrence ruins their pretend engagement. Becky discovers that what he presents as unique has a previous version.
- Jealousy becomes a decisionIn Chapter XVIII, Becky uses Alfred Temple to make Tom jealous. She then sees Alfred spoil Tom's book and decides against warning him, making her more than a passive object of rivalry.
- Repaying protection with an admissionIn Chapter XX, Tom accepts punishment for her torn page. Becky responds by telling him what Alfred did, abandoning the secret she had kept out of spite.
- Sharing responsibility in the caveIn Chapter XXXI, Becky refuses to let Tom take all the blame for their predicament. Her reassurance gives him help even while exhaustion leaves her dependent on his search for an exit.
- Changing the judge's accountIn Chapter XXXV, Becky tells her father about Tom's protective lie at school. Her testimony helps turn a boy adults often distrust into someone the judge admires.
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