Student Essay on "Goodnight, Mister Tom"

"Goodnight, Mister Tom"

Summary:   Explores major themes from the novel, `Goodnight, Mister Tom,' by Michelle Magorian. Details the novel's plot. Explores the relationship between Tom and Willie.

There are many different types of love. In the statement quoted above, the type of love being referred to is an emotional love and also a love shared in friendship and companionship. From the novel 'Goodnight, Mister Tom' we can deduce that Tom and Willie were both in a position to teach each other how to love. I believe that this statement is very true.

To prove this contention I have three main points of argument. These arguments are the way that Tom and Willie's relationship changed from an awkward and uncomfortable one, to a caring relationship, and then into a loving, father-son like relationship.

Body:

When the billeting officer left Willie on Mister Tom's doorstep, Tom took him in reluctantly and unwillingly. Even after he took Willie in he went and saw the billeting officer the next day and complained about having to look after Willie. By this stage we can already tell that Tom was very unhappy about being put in this situation. The only reason Tom agreed to keep Willie was because the billeting officer told him that it was his duty. At this stage their relationship was based purely on responsibility and duty.

We can also assume that Willie did not want to be put into this situation

either. They were thrown in together, neither had a choice in the matter,

Tom and young Willie just had to accept it. During the course of their first few days together Tim told himself not to get too emotionally attached to Willie because he would probably be shipped out as soon as he was brought in. The situation was awkward for both of them and Willie felt insecure, as we can presume from his bed-wetting and constant flinching that we can later relate to his mother beating him.

This type of relationship then turned into a caring one as we soon

discover that Tom does many things for Willie. Some of these include asking his neighbour to make some clothes for Willie, Tom took him to the doctors because he was concerned about his health, Tom offered him choices and gave Willie responsibility and Tom made sure that Willie could read and write, therefore allowing him to be part of Mrs Hartridge's class. Also, we can assume that their relationship changed to one of care and trust by the way the short, snappy dialogue used in the first few chapters developed into long, dramatic sentences.

When we read of Tom buying Willie clothes and of how nice he had become, we can straight away see that Tom cares for Willie a great deal because as we know from the novel Tom kept himself to himself and didn't really mix with the other villagers especially after the death of his wife and new born son.

Finally we discovered that the relationship between Tom and Willie changed again. This time from a caring one, to a relationship based on pure love and happiness. There is evidence of this dramatic change in relationship toward the last few chapters of the novel. The first real apparent display of love from Tom is when he has uneasiness about Willie not replying to any letters. Tom shows love when he picks up and leaves Little Weirwold in search of Willie. When he reached Willie's house he still had uneasiness and insisted to the Warden that they kick down the door and search the house. When Willie was discovered he was consoled only by the sound of Tom's voice, which displays a form of love in its own right.

Tom's ultimate revelation of love is during the period where he nursed Willie back to health, after he returned from London. Tom had a lot of patience when he nursed Willie through the nightmares, some would say only the patience that could stem from deep love and compassion. Tom was also patient when Zach died, as he knew Willie needed to figure his death out on his own. Through many other instances toward the last chapters of the novel we also see Tom show love for Willie.

I also believe that figuratively speaking, Tom and Willie's relationship was a two-way street. There were also many occasions where Willie showed love for Tom. The strongest sign of love from Willie, I believe was when Willie returned from the river, a very short time after Zach's death and finally came to terms with the loss. When he returned he called Tom 'dad'. Willie also showed a great love toward Tom through the admiration he had for him. Tom taught Willie many things throughout their journey in the novel. Some of these things include making friends and reading and righting. Other things Tom taught Willie were lessons in life and even of life in the village.

In conclusion, I think that all of these points should make it apparent that Tom and Willie were both in a position to teach each other, how to love. At the beginning of the novel Tom was a bitter, lonely old man and Willie was an insecure, fearful little boy. By the end of the novel however Tom has developed into a kind and friendly gentlemen, and Willie has developed into a strong and compassionate young man.