Mark Twain’s. The Prince and the Pauper is an old tale of two people who look alike and change places, to experience life in both the worlds. Here it is King Edward VIII and Tom Canty, the pauper who swap places. The king in his sojourn into the world of his subjects is informed harshly of the misery and injustice that is going on. Tom Canty on the other hand plays the part of the king perfectly and makes his presence felt in delivering a few wise judgments. But he comes to know that the king is always a prisoner of his image. The king has a servant in waiting for every one of his needs; even a whipping boy who gets beaten for the Prince’s tardy progress in his studies. Tom’s imagination is his most trusted companion in his conduct as the Prince, whereas the real Prince is blamed to be seized of a wild and colorful imagination as he keeps declaring himself to be the king to all the wretched creatures he encounters; thieves, robbers, drunkards, louts and beggars.
Mark Twain’s famous irony is employed throughout the novel; especially in the structure as the fortunes of both the children are narrated in successive chapters. Towards the end there is despair in the Prince as he is despondent of losing his throne and there is an expectant hope in Tom Canty as he believes he is to be enthroned in a few hours at the coronation.
And is it not irony that the king of England is enthroned at West Minister dressed in rags! Such are the wonders of this quaint, old world novel which is excellent stuff for an afternoon reading. (To be continued)