Social Satire in Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper

Abstract

The Prince and the Pauper is a satire on social differences and inequalities based on class system. It depicts vices, abuses, pretensions and foibles, from which characters like Edward and Tom suffer during their adventures. The core focus of the research is the quest for their lost and true identity. The two young boys from distinct classes, the prince Edward and the impoverished Tom, trade their places discovering similarities in their appearances. In fact, they change their identity for fun but their single fault turns to be grotesque. The unfortunate prince is assumed to be a poor beggar and is kicked out from the palace. Throughout the remainder of the text, he is laughed at and is maltreated for claiming of higher station. In the same token, he witnesses cruelty, deception, and hypocrisy of the power holders. So, this thesis has tried to prove that the presentation of class difference and inequality is the main concern of Mark Twain in The Prince and the Pauper.