Showing results for "The Prince and the Pauper" in Literary History & Criticism

Relive the adventures and societal critiques of "The Prince and the Pauper" podcast, based on Mark Twain's beloved novel. This podcast delves into the themes of identity, social inequality, and adventure, making it a perfect listen for fans of classic literature and historical fiction.

The CliffsNotes study guide on Twain's The Prince and the Pauper supplements the original literary work, giving you background information about the author, an introduction to the work, critical commentaries, expanded glossaries, and a comprehensive index, all for you to use as an educational tool that will allow you to better understand the work. This study guide was written with the assumption that you have read The Prince and the Pauper.

The Prince and the Pauper (1882) represents Mark Twain's first attempt at historical fiction. The book, set in 1547, tells the story of two young boys who are identical in appearance: Tom Canty, a pauper who lives with his abusive father in Offal Court, London, and Prince Edward son of Henry VIII of England. Due to a series of circumstances, the boys accidentally replace each other, and much of the humor in the book originates in the two boys' inability to function in the world that is so familiar to the other (although Tom soon displays considerable wisdom in his decisions). In many ways, the...