When reading Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin,
and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, I struggle to be able to draw up a comparison between the two. Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography is about “Attaining Moral Perfection”.

“I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other.” (Franklin)

To Benjamin Franklin, he already knows right from wrong, what is right and what is wrong; he has obtained moral perfection. To Benjamin Franklin, he does not know why one who choose to do something wrong.

When trying to compare Tom Sawyer, I guess I would say that he is the opposite of Benjamin Franklin, but he is in the process of obtaining moral perfection. Tom Sawyer isn’t the most well behaved boy, and he doesn’t necessarily know right from wrong. But since he is only a child and not an adult, I guess one could say that he isn’t supposed to know everything. When it comes to acting morally appropriate, Tom Sawyer is there.

‘”Rebecca Thatcher” [Tom glanced at her face—it was white with terror]—”did you tear—no, look me in the face” [her hands rose in appeal]—”did you tear this book?”
A thought shot like lightning through Tom’s brain. He sprang to his feet and shouted—”I done it!”‘ (Twain 20)

Tom knew that even though he wasn’t the one that tore the book, he didn’t want to see Rebecca get in trouble.

I guess the comparison between the two writings is that more obtains “Moral Perfection” later on in life. It isn’t something you attain when you are born, but rather something you obtain through various experiences.