The Prince and the Pauper is a novel by American author Mark Twain. It
was first published in 1881 in Canada, before its 1882 publication in
the United States. The novel represents Twain's first attempt at
historical fiction. Set in 1547, it tells the story of two young boys
who were born on the same day and are identical in appearance: Tom
Canty, a pauper who lives with his abusive, alcoholic father in Offal
Court off Pudding Lane in London, and Edward VI of England, son of
Henry VIII of England.Tom Canty, youngest son of a poor family living
in Offal Court located in London, has always aspired to have a better
life, encouraged by the local priest, who has taught him to read and
write. Loitering around the palace gates one day, he meets Edward
Tudor, the Prince of Wales. Coming too close in his intense
excitement, Tom is nearly caught and beaten by the Royal Guards.
However, Edward stops them and invites Tom into his palace chamber.
There, the two boys get to know one another. Fascinated by each
other's life and their uncanny resemblance to each other and learning
they were even born on the same day, they decide to switch places
"temporarily". The Prince hides an item, which the reader later learns
is the Great Seal of England, then goes outside; however, dressed as
Tom, he is not recognized by the guards, who drive him from the
palace. He eventually finds his way through the streets to the Canty
home. There, he is subjected to the brutality of Tom's alcoholic and
abusive father, from whom he manages to escape, and meets one Miles
Hendon, a soldier and nobleman returning from war. Although Miles does
not believe Edward's claims to royalty, he humors him and becomes his
protector. Meanwhile, news reaches them that King Henry VIII has died
and Edward is now the king.Tom Canty, youngest son of a poor family
living in Offal Court located in London, has always aspired to have a
better life, encouraged by the local priest, who has taught him to
read and write. Loitering around the palace gates one day, he meets
Edward Tudor, the Prince of Wales. Coming too close in his intense
excitement, Tom is nearly caught and beaten by the Royal Guards.
However, Edward stops them and invites Tom into his palace chamber.
There, the two boys get to know one another. Fascinated by each
other's life and their uncanny resemblance to each other and learning
they were even born on the same day, they decide to switch places
"temporarily". The Prince hides an item, which the reader later learns
is the Great Seal of England, then goes outside; however, dressed as
Tom, he is not recognized by the guards, who drive him from the
palace. He eventually finds his way through the streets to the Canty
home. There, he is subjected to the brutality of Tom's alcoholic and
abusive father, from whom he manages to escape, and meets one Miles
Hendon, a soldier and nobleman returning from war. Although Miles does
not believe Edward's claims to royalty, he humors him and becomes his
protector. Meanwhile, news reaches them that King Henry VIII has died
and Edward is now the king.Tom, dressed as Edward, tries to cope with
court customs and manners. His fellow nobles and palace staff think
the prince has an illness, which has caused memory loss and fear he
will go mad. They repeatedly ask him about the missing Great Seal of
England, but he knows nothing about it. However, when Tom is asked to
sit in on judgments, his common-sense observations reassure them his
mind is sound.As Edward experiences the brutal life of a London pauper
firsthand, he becomes aware of the stark class inequality in England.
In particular, he sees the harsh, punitive nature of the English
judicial system where people are burned at the stake, pilloried, and
flogged. He realizes that the accused are convicted on flimsy evidence
and branded or hanged for petty offenses, and vows to reign with mercy
when he regains his rightful place. When Edward declares to a gang of
thieves that he is the king and will put an end to unjust laws, they
assume he is insane and hold a mock coronation. The Prince and the Pauper Top Movies & Young Movies