Is Just as enthralling today as it was when published in 1876. It takes place in the small village os st. Petersburg, missouri, on the banks of the öississippi river during the mid-1800 and is a possible refkection of mark twain's opinion on the politcs and racial prejudices of the time. But at heart, tom sawyer is a story of aboy whose main goal is a search for new adventures, freedom,and ways to break the rules without getting into too much trouble.