Pudd’nhead Wilson Mark Twain

Mark Twain His real name was really Samuel Langhorne Clemens He is one of the most famous American Writers Many of his stories focus on the American south where he uses his humor and morals to critique social injustice He is well known for his use of dialect that shows the true patterns of speech his characters would have. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuQMBWjmlHk-

Twain’s Famous Style Twain is famous for using SATIRE to convey his point in his writings. He uses this humor to point out social injustices or wrongs! He brilliantly adds humor to all of his works- And through that humor, satire, and charming style- he is able to CAPTURE the LOCAL Color and Regional Dialect!

What is it all about Reversed identity CSI detective work Justice Slavery Inequalities in society Mystery A mother’s love ALL IN LIKE 100 PAGES!

Setting and Time Frame Dawson’s Landing in Missouri along the Mississippi River Slavery in the Antebellum South Missouri was the line between freed slaves and ‘being sold down south’ Social status White and the wealthy ruled but needed to be moral and upright citizens to keep up their reputation in tact and out of town gossip.

Characters David Wilson (Pudd’n Head) first came to Dawson’s Landing to set up a law business. He is quite eccentric and is an outsider to most the towns people due to his humor. Judge Driscoll a very wealthy man who is the Judge in Dawson’s Landing he adopts Thomas when Percy his brother dies since his wife and him can not have children themselves

Thomas Driscoll is the son of Percy Driscoll born into white privilege Percy Driscoll, Judge Driscoll’s brother and Tom’s Father and Roxy’s master Roxy is 1/16th black and considered a slave even though she looks like many of the Dawson’s Landing residents. Her largest fear is her or her son Chambers being sold down the river to southern states who were much harsher in treatment of their slaves. Valet de Chambre (Chambers) Son of Roxy a mulatto slaves son he is 1/37th black and considered a slave child and shares a birthday with Thomas Beckett

Pembroke Howard is a lawyer and judge friend to the Driscoll family and will preside over a large murder trial later in the story. Mrs. Pratt is Judge Driscoll’s sister and helps to keep Tom in Judge Driscoll’s good graces! Colonel Essex a friend of the Driscoll’s and the unknown father of Roxy’s son Chambers.

Aunt Patsy a widow in the town who rents a room to the twins and uses their celebrity to her own benefit Luigi and Angelo a set of identical twins who come to town they claim to be Italian and have worked in circuses and lead a very interesting life. They are living with Aunt Patsy. Rowena is Aunt Patsy’s daughter who is the essential belle and may have a wealthy friends with benefits relationship with Tom.

Themes Racial inequality Nature vs. Nurture The power of entitlement Public vs. Private persona’s Importance of Social Status

Aphorism A fancy word for advice or clever sayings. (Break a leg!) Puddn’Head Wilson has a whole calendar he made of them! Each chapter in the novel is accompanied with one, they will help set the tone and give advice to characters in that chapter!