Pen Portrait of My Favourite Character:

One of the most captivating characters in the novel is Tom Canty, the pauper.
Tom is born into extreme poverty, living in the slums of London’s Offal Court.
Despite his difficult circumstances, he possesses an imaginative spirit and
dreams of meeting or becoming a prince. His resilience, curiosity, and longing
for a better life make him endearing to readers. Tom’s transformation
throughout the story—from a beggar to a prince and back—is both poignant
and inspiring.

Theme of the Novel

The theme of “The Prince and the Pauper” revolves around the social critique
of appearances versus reality and the arbitrary nature of social class. Twain
uses the switch between Edward and Tom to explore the stark contrasts
between the lives of the rich and the poor, and how social status is often based
on mere circumstance rather than merit or character. The novel also delves
into issues of justice, morality, and the impact of nurture over nature on a
person’s life. Through satire and humour, Twain criticizes the legal and moral
injustices of his time, making a powerful statement about the true value of
individuals beyond their social standing.