The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain is full of unique dialogue. The story takes place in Missouri, along the Mississippi River. In order to create setting and draw the reader fully into the story, Twain uses southern dialect to emphasize the location.

The dialect in Tom Sawyer also serves to build character. In the beginning of the story, when Tom is tricking Ben Rogers into doing his work for him, the dialogue helps show the age of the characters. With phrases like "Stop her, sit! Ting-a-ling-ling!" Twain shows the boyishness which is at the center of Tom Sawyer's character and story.

Another character who is strengthened by his dialect is Huck Finn.

Bought him off'n a boy.

Is one of the first sentences we hear from Huck Finn. Throughout the dialogue, Finn uses short responses and cuts out words.

Good for? Cure warts with.

This unique use of diction helps show Huck Finn's low level of education and explains some of his backstory. He's a unique character who comes to life through his language.

Finally, the dialect used by Twain helps to show some of the culture of the time. The language used at church is much different than that spoken by Tom Sawyer and his friends. There are different levels of education and status, which are reflected in the language. Similarly, the dialect touches on racial issues at the time and emphasizes the harshness of slavery and the racial tensions that were present at the time. The slaves speak a unique dialect which is much different from the dialect spoken at the church and school.