This novel tells the story of a rambunctious young student at a traditional English all-boys school in the mid 1800s, and his transformation from a thoughtless, shallow youth into a thoughtful, selfless, and moral young man. The narrator is as much of a character as the student, his schoolmates, and their teachers, giving the clear impression that the story is as much a lecture on proper behavior and morality as it is a narrative.

The novel begins with a detailed description of Tom's small-town life, the home in which he grew up, the attitudes of his parents, activities in the nearby village, and how they all formed the basis of his character. The strong relationship with his father, his distant relationship with his mother, and his non-discriminatory friendships with members of the so-called "working classes" defined in the first few chapters all play important roles in...