Review: The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
Posted on January 11, 2010
by Adam Burgess
5 Comments
With each new encounter, Twain proves himself to me to be both brilliant and complicated. The Prince and the Pauper
is a tale of cautious optimism; unlike later works (Huck Finn
, The Mysterious Stranger
), in The Prince and the Pauper, Twain seems to still believe in humanity and its potential for goodness – for greatness. Though this novel is set in England, Twain is particularly concerned with the state of affairs in America, during the time of the Civil War – The Prince and Pauper’s search for identity – shouting to be heard, to be recognized and believed – mirrors what was happening in America, both in terms of politics and social justice. Writers were comic critics, and only the wealthy businessmen, politicians, and landowners had any real say. Still, in this novel, Twain seems to see a glimmer of hope. That he chose Edward VI
, whose reign was short-lived (and whose demise was prophesied in retrospect) seems to imply that Twain believed America was at the cusp of a possible change for the better – the beacon on the hill. A final Eden, but that, in all likelihood, the greatness could not be sustained, and only memories would last. Brilliant, hilariously Twain-esque, and truly heart-breaking to one such as myself, who is more familiar with Twain’s later, more cynical works.
Roof Beam Reader 
I really need to get to know Twain. So far I’ve read a biography and a couple short stories. That’s all!
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Oh, you should! Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Mysterious Stranger (unfinished) are my personal favorites, but they’re all so good.. I absolutely adore the man and his works. Even though the inspiration behind my blogger persona is Salinger, if pressed to pick one favorite writer, I would have to choose Twain.
(The Diary of Adam & Eve was also hilarious – a quick read, too).
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The Adam and Eve one is especially on my radar. Also, Joan of Arc — because I know he yearned for people to read it. Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer are on my Classics Club list, with The Prince and the Pauper, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc. Now you have me curious about The Mysterious Stranger! 😀
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Ah, I haven’t read Joan of Arc, yet – I’ve got an old copy that’s been sitting here for too long. Hm. Maybe I’ll pick it up next and read it during Austen in August (you know, to be ironic – since Twain loathed Austen’s work so much).
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I love that irony. 😀
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