The Prince and the Pauper

Twain wrote The Prince and the Pauper in 1881. How do the novel’s lessons, particularly those concerning wealth and inequality, relate to the time in which Twain was writing?

Discuss “the privilege of the Kents,” i.e., the right to sit in front of the king that Miles’s descendants receive. How long does it last, and how does it relate to the novel’s main themes?

Why is Tudor England the setting for The Prince and the Pauper? Discuss why Twain may have chosen the reign of Edward VI as opposed to another place or time.

What is the symbolic significance of food and hunger in The Prince and the Pauper? How do Tom and Edward relate to food and hunger at the beginning versus at the end of the novel?

Symbolic naming of people and places are important aspects of Twain’s work. Identify three names of people and/or places and discuss their symbolic significance in the novel.

How does Twain use humor and satire in The Prince and the Pauper and what is he trying to achieve with it? How does his use of Shakespearean speech enhance the novel’s satire?

Discuss the role of women in the novel. How are female characters portrayed, and what narrative functions do they fulfill?

Anonymous crowds of Londoners are mentioned numerous times in the novel. How does Twain portray the average citizens of the city?