Tom Brown enters the rigid, hierarchical environment of Rugby School, where he must navigate the brutal social dynamics of nineteenth-century British public education. As he matures from a naive newcomer into a responsible leader, Tom faces the physical intimidation of bullies and the moral guidance of his mentors. The narrative follows his development through a series of episodic challenges that test his character, loyalty, and physical endurance. Written in a third-person perspective, the story emphasizes the importance of muscular Christianity and the cultivation of integrity within a structured institutional framework.

Readers and critics frequently identify this work as a foundational text in the school story genre that established many tropes still present in modern literature. Discussion often centers on the author's departure from the didactic tone common in Victorian writing, favoring a more grounded and empathetic approach to the protagonist's growth. Many highlight the effectiveness of the setting, which serves as a microcosm for the broader social values of the era. The balance between physical action and internal character development remains a primary point of interest for those examining the evolution of the bildungsroman. Scholars often note that the text provides significant insight into the historical expectations placed upon young men during the nineteenth century.