The Prince and the Pauper

Summary
Miles tells Edward to be quiet so he can get out of the situation. When the constable comes forward to take Edward, Miles goes with them. In court, Edward is accused and found guilty. The contents of the bundle is a fattened, dressed pig worth three shillings and eightpence. The law states that the penalty for any stolen goods valued over 13 pence is hanging. The woman changes the total value to eightpence to save Edward. The constable follows the woman out of court and forces her to sell him the pig for eightpence or else suffer blackmail because she changed the value. Edward is astonished to be sentenced to a short imprisonment and a public flogging. Hendon advises him to stay calm and to let God's will happen.

Historical Note
• Henry VIII debased British currency by reducing the amount of silver in coins in order to reduce debts incurred in war and personal extravagance.

Question
1. What is Twain's intent in showing the blackmailing scene between the constable and the woman?

Vocabulary
• abate (144)
• consternation (144)
• decorum (144)

Activity
Find examples of current events in which lawmakers or law enforcers do not abide by the rules.

CHAPTER 24

Summary
Hendon blackmails the constable about the pig purchase to let Edward escape. When the constable says it was a joke, Hendon says he'll ask the judge if it seems like a joke. Hendon names the constable's crime, "Non compos mentis lex talionis sic transit gloria mundi," which, literally translated, means "Not of sound mind law of retaliation thus passes away the glory of the world"in other words, gobbledygook. The constable believes it. Miles adds, "Ad hominem expurgatis in statu quo" (To the man you cleanse in the existing state) for good measure.

Question
1. What does the crime Hendon cites literally mean? How does this add to the humor of the situation? What does this say about Hendon's education? About the constable's education?

Vocabulary
• indifference (146)
• Ods body! (147)

Activity
Journal: Tell about a time you smooth-talked your way out of a sticky situation or that you were able to use your intelligence to your advantage.

CHAPTER 25

Summary
Out of town, Hendon waits on the king. Hendon tells Edward the hermit's sorrow at the king's escape, and the king tells him his side of the story. Hendon brags about Hendon Hall and its servants, thinking the king will be impressed. When Miles finally sees his brother Hugh, Hugh doesn't recognize Miles and says he received a letter saying Miles is dead.

Miles learns that his father and brother Arthur have died; his love, Edith, doesn't recognize him; and neither do the servants (with 22 honest ones gone, only five "villains" remain), so no one is there to verify his identity. In Miles' absence, Hugh has married Edith. Miles is furious, thinking Hugh wrote the letter himself and usurped Miles' wife and land. Hugh warns Miles it's useless to escape the area. Miles scoffs at him, saying the land belongs to him, and he will not leave. Edward realizes Miles' predicament and believes his claim.

Questions
1. Why does Miles believe the hermit so easily, yet the king so reluctantly?
2. How is this ironic in his Miles' own situation?
3. What purpose does Twain have in pairing Miles and Edward? Is there anyone similar who mentors Tom?

Vocabulary
• blithely (149)
• prodigal (152)
• dissent (152)
• fervency (153)

Quotations
"Mind not thy mischance, good man, there be others in the world whose identity is denied and whose claims are derided. Thou hast company." (153)

"For Miles Hendon is master of Hendon Hall and all its belongings. He will remain; doubt it not." (155)

Activities
1. Review Chapter 12 to recall Miles' background.
2. Construct the letter Hugh "received" telling him of Miles' death.
3. Write a script telling about the Hendon family's reaction to the news of Miles' death.

CHAPTER 26

Summary
The king finds it odd that he's not missed. He writes a letter in English, Greek, and Latin to give to his uncle Hertford to reinstate himself. Hendon wants to work on his own dilemma, but the king says that his way, Hendon will get vindicated faster. Hendon holds onto the letter instead of delivering it, thinking that Edward is still deranged. Hendon thinks Edward does sound like a king, but still thinks his writing in Latin and Greek must be gibberish.

Hendon thinks about Edith's reception, uncertain whether she recognized him or not. Edith warns Miles that he is in danger and that he would be in danger even if he were the real Miles. Hugh's power, she says, is so great that he could deny and denounce Miles and no one would be bold enough to recognize him. Edith's marriage makes her a prisoner. She tells him to go and gives him money but still denies his identity. He tries to leave, but it is too late. Hendon and the king are taken to prison.

Questions
1. Does Edith recognize Miles? Why or why not?
2. How could Edward's letter help clear up his identity?

Vocabulary
• compulsion (157)
• peradventure (157)
• tinge (158)
• fettered (158)
• perchance (158)
• give you countenance (158): to recognize

Activity
Write an entry for Edith's diary showing what you believe her true feelings are about Miles' identity.

CHAPTER 27

Summary
Edward and Miles experience jail life. A man almost murders a woman their first night there. The prisoners call Hendon "the impostor," recalling Edward's "Foo-foo the First" from his gang experience. The jailer brings old family servant Blake Andrews to acknowledge Miles, but Andrews denies Miles. The jailer says Miles will hang, and he and Andrews joke and laugh. When the jailer leaves, Andrews acknowledges Miles and helps him by smuggling in food. Miles reserves the best morsels for the king, who cannot eat jail food.

Andrews tells the family story to Miles: When Arthur died six years ago, Miles' father wanted Hugh and Edith to marry, but Edith held out for Miles. When the letter arrived with news of Miles' death, she held out for another three months, then married Hugh by Richard's deathbed. Andrews tells Miles the rumor that Edith found drafts of the death letter among Hugh's things. Hugh has been evil to everyone in the meantime.

The king is befriended by two women imprisoned for minor offenses. He is happy to find them absent from the cell in the morning, believing they have been freed. He and the other prisoners are led outside to witness the women being burned at the stake.

Questions
1. How does Miles' prison identity relate to Edward's experiences?
2. Who are the villains of this novel? Why are they villains?
3. Who are the heroes of this novel? What makes them heroic?

Vocabulary
• trifling (160)
• taciturn (160)
• carousing (161)
• repudiate (161)

Activity
Draw a picture of Blake Andrews based on the Twain's description of his appearance and character.

CHAPTER 28

Summary
Still in prison, Miles is punished for his bad attitude, and the king almost gets put in the stocks. Hendon is put into stocks, and eggs are thrown at him. The king tries to defend Hendon, but Hendon protects the king by saying he's mad and takes Edward's lashes without a word. The king is thankful and dubs Hendon Earl. Hendon looks at the situation with irony, but sees love behind the gesture. The other prisoners, as a tribute to his bravery, no longer joke about Hendon being "the impostor," and they thrash a prisoner who teases him unknowingly.

Historical Note
• The allusion to the king being scourged in this chapter refers to Henry II, who was scourged at the tomb of Thomas a Becket in 1174 as penance for inspiring Becket's murder. Becket had stopped Henry from extending his power to control the Catholic Church in England.

Questions
1. What are the stocks?
2. Twain often shows criminals and other lowly people with a remarkable sensitivity for what is good and right. Find examples of this from events in the novel. What point is Twain making?
3. Why is Edward's gesture touching to Miles Hendon, if he doesn't believe Edward is king?

Vocabulary
• pillory (169)
• vagabond (169)
• rabble (169)
• sardonic (170)
• magnanimous (170)
• scourge (171)
• gibes (171)

Quotation
"Now am I finely tinseled indeed! The specter knight of the Kingdom of Dreams and Shadows is become a specter earl!" (171)

Activity
Make a model of a stockade and show why this served as punishment for such a long time.

CHAPTER 29

Summary
Hendon is released from the stocks, and he and Edward are set free. Miles considers going to London to ask help from the king. He remembers Sir Humphrey Marlow, a friend of his father's, and hopes to get help from him. Hendon asks Edward where they're going, out of respectful concern that the boy may not want to go back to London. The king answers, "To London!" and Hendon is surprised. As the two cross London Bridge again, a decaying head falls at their feet. They are surrounded by Londoners who fight, drink, and celebrate for Coronation Day.

Question
1. Why is it ironic that Miles is going to get help from the king in London?

Activity
Research the children's song, "London Bridge is Falling Down." What is the history behind this song?

CHAPTER 30

Summary
Tom has finally learned to enjoy his royalty. His whipping boy Humphrey is making a profit and giving orders is becoming more familiar. Tom orders special clothes and triples the servant staff. He still fights against unjust laws and develops skill at giving fearful looks to dissenters. When his "sister" Mary reminds him sternly of how full Henry VIII's prisons used to be, he commands her to pray to remove the stone that was her heart. Tom recalls the true king and his own family at times, but largely forgets where he comes from. Twain juxtaposes Tom's luxurious situation with Edward's harder one.

Questions
1. If Humphrey the whipping boy is making a profit, what does that mean?
2. If Tom's rule is supposed to represent democracy, how does this chapter fit into Twain's view of politics (and democracy)?
3. In previous chapters, Twain kept the boys separate. Why does he choose to juxtapose their situations now?

Vocabulary
• derided (175)
• lofty (175)
• adulation (176)
• salaaming (176)
• zeal (176)
• penury (176)

Activity
Create a collage that shows the differences in the two boys' experiences during their "experiment," including the changes in their personalities and ways of thinking.

CHAPTER 31

Summary
In the pomp and circumstance of his coronation parade, Tom enjoys the good will of the people and thanks them. He sees folks from Offal Court and wants them to recognize him (but not a true recognition; he wants them to see him as king). He sees his mother, who does recognize who he truly is, but Tom denies her. Tom comes full circle; once again, he feels held captive, and his face shows his sorrow. Lord Protector (Hertford) tells him to cheer up because he's affecting the crowds. Tom fakes it but admits privately the pauper woman is his mother. The Lord Protector thinks "Edward" is mad again.

Questions
1. What is recognition? How does Twain use recognition in this chapter?
2. Why does Tom deny his mother?
3. Why does he feel like a captive again after he denies his mother?
4. Why is it so important for the king to portray a happy image?

Vocabulary
• thither (178)
• venerable (178)
• largess (180)

Activities
1. Journal: Describe a time you wanted to be recognized as something you weren't. How did it feel when you got that recognition? If you weren't recognized, how did that feel?
2. Draw a picture of the variety of responses Tom has toward the experience of royalty as the story unfolds.

Quotations
"His grandeurs were stricken valueless; they seemed to fall away from him like rotten rags." (181)

"Royalty had lost its grace and sweetness; its pomps were become a reproach."(181)

"Would God I were free of my captivity." (181)

CHAPTER 32

Summary
Twain shows the scene before the coronation: preparation, richness, dreaminess. As Tom approaches the throne, he grows paler with woe, despondency, guilt, and remorse. As the Archbishop of Canterbury holds the crown over his head, all the visiting royals lift their coronets and poise them over their heads.

The true king appears, forbidding the crowning. Tom agrees hastily, but the Lord Protector orders guards to take the real Edward away. Tom prevents them, swearing loyalty to Edward. The duke questions the king, and Edward answers perfectly. The Lord Protector says Tom can do the same, so his answers do not prove anything; but then he remembers the Great Seal.

Edward tells about the secret compartment in his room. Lord St. John goes to get it, but the Seal is not there. The Lord Protector calls for the king to be scourged, but Tom holds him off. Lord St. John is perplexed and thinks aloud that it is amazing how such a bulky thing can go missing. Tom immediately remembers it and knows where it is, but says he didn't put it there. Edward can't remember, so Tom helps him by leading him through their first meeting. Edward remembers: "in an armpiece of Milanese armor that hangs on the wall thou'lt find the seal!" (192)

When the Seal is found, the Lord Protector wants to throw Tom into the tower. Edward refuses, recognizing Tom as the protector of the throne. Edward also reminds Hertford that Tom made him a duke and that, unless he can prove he's worth it through Tom, he'll remain an earl. Edward is crowned, and the cannons sound, recognizing the new king.

Historical Note
• The Stone of Scone mentioned in this chapter is the Stone of Destiny, a sandstone block on which the kings of Scotland were crowned until 1296, when Edward I brought it to England. It is incorporated with the seat of the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey.

Questions
1. Twain makes an obvious shift with his readers in this chapter: "Let us change the tense for convenience" (186). Identify other ways he makes the reader aware of his presence as author in previous chapters.
2. What changes have occurred in both boys as a result of their experiences?
3. Why does Lord St. John bow to both "kings" noncommittally?

Vocabulary
• plebeian (187)
• fealty (188)
• obeisance (189)
• varlet (192)

Activity
Several mentions have been made of promotions in noble rank. Research the ranks (duke, earl, etc.) and the privileges that go with each.

CHAPTER 33

Summary
Miles Hendon has been pickpocketed on London Bridge and lost Edward. Miles tries to think like him, believing Edward will be hurt by a crowd. He imagines rescuing Edward but cannot find him. Miles hears the cannon, thinks the new king has been crowned, and falls asleep.

Hendon wakes up hungry and plans to meet Humphrey Marlow to borrow money. He goes to the palace, and Humphrey recognizes Miles from the king's description. Miles asks a message be brought to the king. Officers find the letter from the king written in three languages, and Miles is brought to the king.

Questions
1. Why does Miles fear mob activity?
2. What does Twain say about human nature through his demonstrations of mob behavior throughout the novel?
3. What kinds of mob behavior are evident in our culture today?

Activity
Write the letter Edward wrote to document and verify who he was. How would Edward argue that he is the rightful king?

CONCLUSION

Summary
We are told Hugh Hendon confessed to threatening to kill Edith if she did not deny knowing Miles. When she refused, he threatened to kill Miles, so she assented. Hugh was not prosecuted, but left for Europe, where he died. Miles (now the Earl of Kent) marries Edith.

John Canty disappears. The king finds all the people who were wronged or who helped him while he was "Tom Canty" and rewards them, and is honored by the people of the kingdom for it.

Tom and Miles are Edward's favorites throughout his reign, and Miles exercises his right to sit in the presence of the monarch only twice, at the accession of Queen Mary and at the accession of Queen Elizabeth. Later, it is known as the "privilege of the Kents."

Even though Edward's reign is only seven years long, he rules mercifully.

Tom lives to be an old man but continues to dress the part of a former king for recognition.

Questions
1. Why did Twain choose the reign of Edward VI about which to write his novel?
2. What qualities did the real king possess that struck him? Do such leaders exist today?

Vocabulary
• relict (201): widow

Quotation
"What dost thou know of suffering and oppression? I and my people know, but not thou." (203)

Activity
Write an essay comparing the real reign of Edward VI with the one represented in the book. How factual was Twain in his representation of the king?