The Prince and the Pauper
.jpg) The title characters, as imagined in 1889 | |
| Written by: | Mark Twain |
|---|---|
| Central Theme: | The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence |
| Synopsis: | A street urchin trades places with Prince Edward, and both boys learn about the other's lives. |
| Genre(s): | Historical Fiction |
| First published: | 1881 |
The Prince and the Pauper is the 1882 Mark Twain Historical Fiction novel about a Street Urchin named Tom Canty and Prince Edward VI of England switching places. Tom has always dreamed of a better life, and the Prince is fascinated by Tom's lifestyle. They exchange clothes and swap identities, and the boys each find perks and struggles to each of the other's lives. Tom has matters of national importance to attend to and has a hard time adjusting to court life, and Prince Edward finds out just how hard an urchin's life is.
Arguably, the story is Lost in Imitation.
The Prince and the Pauper is the Trope Namer for:
Tropes used in The Prince and the Pauper include:
- Abusive Parent: Dear God, John Canty.
- Fish Out of Water
- Have a Gay Old Time: It uses "ejaculated" and "orgies" often.
- Identical Stranger
- Prince For A Day
- King Incognito
- Mock Millionaire
- Royals Who Actually Do Something: Edward
- Street Urchin: Tom
- Swapped Roles