The Adventures of Tom Sawyer · Character

Injun Joe

A half-Indian outcast with a grudge against the town, whose sudden violence in the graveyard turns boyish mischief into a matter of life and death.

supporting

Also known as Joe, Both Injun Joe

First appearance: IX: Tragedy in the Graveyard

As a supporting figure in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Injun Joe is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Injun Joe in IX: Tragedy in the Graveyard Book page

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Injun Joe moves through St. Petersburg as a figure of whispered menace — a man the town has wronged and who nurses his revenge in silence. When Tom and Huck witness his brutal act in the graveyard, he becomes the shadow that haunts every adventure that follows, a threat capable of drowning two boys without a second thought. His presence transforms the novel from a romp into something with real stakes, forcing Tom to weigh his oath against a man's life.

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See Injun Joe in IX: Tragedy in the Graveyard

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Injun Joe sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Central characters and family
Town residents and schoolmates
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, the emotional peak occurs when Tom, having just reconciled with Aunt Polly and feeling lighth…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Tom Sawyer
rivalry · negative
Injun Joe is a murderous villain who becomes Tom's deadly enemy after Tom testifies… How this plays out →
Muff Potter
rivalry · negative
Huckleberry Finn
rivalry · negative
Tom Sawyer
rivalry · negative
Injun Joe is a murderous villain who becomes Tom's deadly enemy after Tom testifies… How this plays out →
Tom Sawyer
rivalry · negative
Injun Joe is a murderous villain who becomes Tom's deadly enemy after Tom testifies… How this plays out →
Muff Potter
rivalry · negative
Huckleberry Finn
rivalry · negative
Huckleberry Finn
rivalry · negative
Muff Potter
rivalry · negative

Tom Sawyer
Injun Joe is a murderous villain who becomes Tom's deadly enemy after Tom testifies against him in court.
Muff Potter
Injun Joe frames Muff Potter for a murder he himself committed, making Potter his victim and scapegoat.
Huckleberry Finn
Huck secretly follows and fears Injun Joe, eventually helping to thwart his plans for revenge.
Tom Sawyer
Injun Joe is a murderous villain who becomes Tom's deadly enemy after Tom testifies against him in court.
Tom Sawyer
Injun Joe is a murderous villain who becomes Tom's deadly enemy after Tom testifies against him in court.
Muff Potter
Injun Joe frames Muff Potter for a murder he himself committed, making Potter his victim and scapegoat.
Huckleberry Finn
Huck secretly follows and fears Injun Joe, eventually helping to thwart his plans for revenge.
Huckleberry Finn
Huck secretly follows and fears Injun Joe, eventually helping to thwart his plans for revenge.
Muff Potter
Injun Joe frames Muff Potter for a murder he himself committed, making Potter his victim and scapegoat.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Injun Joe in IX: Tragedy in the Graveyard

In the story

Injun Joe appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IX: Tragedy in the Graveyard
Injun Joe stabs Dr. Robinson to death, then places the knife in Potter's hand and lies to Potter about what happened.
Conscience Racks Tom
Injun Joe calmly and falsely testifies against Muff Potter during the inquest, reinforcing the boys' belief that he is in league with Satan. His menacing presence dominates the scene.
The Salvation of Muff Potter
Injun Joe is present in court, smirking at the proceedings until Tom's testimony exposes him, causing him to flee.
Splendid Days and Fearsome Nights
Injun Joe haunts Tom's dreams and remains at large, evading capture despite rewards and a detective's search.
Real Robbers Seize the Box of Gold
Disguised as a deaf and dumb Spaniard; reveals his identity and plans a dangerous job with his accomplice.
XXVII: Trembling on the Trail
Injun Joe is mentioned as a threat who may seek revenge and is associated with the mysterious No. 2.
XXVIII: In the Lair of Injun Joe
Found asleep on the floor in the haunted room, drunk, with a bottle and tin cup nearby.
XXIX: Huck Saves the Widow
Plans revenge on Widow Douglas for her husband's actions; intends to disfigure her.
Tom and Becky in the Cave
Revealed to be the Spaniard; Huck identifies him as the man who threatened the widow.
Found and Lost Again
Injun Joe appears briefly in the cave, holding a candle, but flees when Tom shouts.
Turn Out! They're Found!
Injun Joe is trapped in the cave after Judge Thatcher seals it, as revealed by Tom.
XXXIII: The Fate of Injun Joe
Found dead in the cave, starved to death, with his broken knife and makeshift cup for catching water.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Injun Joe unlock in the free preview.

See Injun Joe in IX: Tragedy in the Graveyard