The central characters of Good Night, Mr. Tom are William Beech and Tom Oakley. When he appears at Mr. Tom's door, Willie is nearly nine, but he looks like a six-year-old. The thin, malnourished boy is covered with bruises and cuts from his mother's beatings.
Because of his lifelong abuse, everyone and everything terrifies the boy, leaving him uncommunicative, inept, unable to read or write. He vomits from excitement and wets the bed nightly. Gradually Mr. Tom's kindness and encouragement overcome Willie's fears, and he becomes a happy, normal boy who loves his benefactor dearly. Through association with other children, particularly the lively Zach, he develops friendships for the first time.
Tom Oakley, embittered by the death of his artistic young wife and infant son, William, has been the village recluse for years. Now.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 956 words. This
study guide contains 27,377 words (approx. 91 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our Good Night, Mr. Tom Access Pass.
