The Prince and the Pauper

For other uses, seeThe Prince and the Pauper (disambiguation).

The Prince and the Pauperis a novel by American authorMark Twain.It was first published in 1881 in Canada, before its 1882 publication in the United States.The novel represents Twain's first attempt athistorical fiction.The plot concerns the ascension of nine-year-oldEdward VI of Englandin 1547 and his interactions withlook-alikeTom Canty,a Londonpauperwho lives with his abusive, alcoholic father.

The Prince and the Pauper

First US edition
Author	Mark Twain
Language	English
Subject	Edward VI of England
Genre	Realistic fiction Children's literature
Publisher	James R. Osgood& Co.
Publication date	1881 (Canada), 1882 (U.S)
Publication place	United States
Text	The Prince and the PauperatWikisource

Thepauperand Prince Edward as imagined in 1882.

Plot

Tom Canty,the youngest child of a very poor family living in Offal Court, located inLondon,England,has been abused by his father and grandmother but is encouraged by the localpriest,who taught him to read and write. Loitering around thePalace of Westminstergates one day, Tom seesEdward Tudor,thePrince of Wales.Coming too close in his intense excitement, he is caught and nearly 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 and are fascinated by each other's lives. They have an uncanny resemblance to each other and learn they were even born on the same day, so they decide to swap clothes "temporarily". Edward hides an item, which the reader later learns is theGreat Seal of England,and goes outside to confront the guards who abused Tom; however, dressed as Tom, he is not recognized by the guards, who drive him from the palace.

Tom, dressed as Edward, tries to cope with court customs and manners after being mistaken for the prince. Edward's father,King Henry VIII,his fellow nobles, and the palace staff think the prince has an illness that has causedmemory lossand fear he will gomad.After King Henry dies, Tom is repeatedly asked 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 that his mind is sound.

Edward eventually finds his way through the streets to the Canty home, where the Canty family believes him to be Tom. There, he is subjected to the brutality of Tom'salcoholicfather, from whom he manages to escape, and meets 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 has died and Edward has become king.

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, under which 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 he 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 mockcoronation.

After a series of adventures, including a stint in prison, Edward interrupts thecoronationas Tom is about to be crowned king. The nobles are shocked at their resemblance but refuse to believe that Edward is the rightful king wearing Tom's clothes until he produces the Great Seal of England that he hid before leaving the palace. Edward and Tom switch back to their original places, and Edward is crowned King Edward VI of England. Miles is rewarded with the rank ofEarland the family right to sit in the king's presence. In gratitude for supporting the new king's claim to the throne, Edward names Tom the "King's Ward", a privileged position he holds for the rest of his life.

Themes

The introductory quote— "The quality of mercy is... twice blest; / It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: / 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes / The throned monarch better than his crown" —is part of the "quality of mercy"speech fromShakespeare'sThe Merchant of Venice.

While written for children,The Prince and the Pauperis both a critique of social inequality and a criticism of judging others by their appearance. Twain wrote of the book, "My idea is to afford a realizing sense of the exceeding severity of the laws of that day by inflicting some of their penalties upon the King himself and allowing him a chance to see the rest of them applied to others..."

History

Having returned from a secondEuropean tour—which formed the basis ofA Tramp Abroad(1880)—Twain read extensively about English and French history. Initially intended as a play, the book was originally set inVictorian Englandbefore Twain decided to set it further back in time.He wroteThe Prince and the Pauperhaving already startedAdventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Chapter head by Ludvig Sandöe Ipsen

The "whipping-boy story", originally meant as a chapter to be part ofThe Prince and the Pauper,was published in theHartfordBazar Budgetof July 4, 1880, before Twain deleted it from the novel at the suggestion ofWilliam Dean Howells.

Ultimately,The Prince and the Pauperwas published by subscription by James R. Osgood of Boston, with illustrations by Frank Thayer Merrill, John Harley andLudvig Sandöe Ipsen.

The book bears a dedication to Twain's daughters, Susie and Clara Clemens, and is subtitled "A Tale For Young People of All Ages".

Playbill for a performance ofThe Prince and the Pauperat the Theatre Royal in Exeter on 28 February 1898

Adaptations

Main article:List of adaptations of The Prince and the Pauper

Theater

William FavershamandRuth Findlayin the Broadway production ofAmélie Rives' adaptation ofThe Prince and the Pauper(1920)

The Prince and the Pauperwas adapted for the stage during Twain's lifetime, an adaptation that involved Twain in litigation with the playwright.In November 1920, a stage adaption byAmélie Rivesopened on Broadway under the direction ofWilliam Faversham,with Faversham as Miles Hendon andRuth Findlayplaying both Tom Canty and Prince Edward.

A studio-cast musical adaptation with book/lyrics by Verna Tomasson and music byGeorge Fischoffwas recorded in 1963 onLondon Records(AM 98001/AMS 98001), with Joan Shepard as Tom Canty, Carol Blodgett as Prince Edward,John Davidsonas Miles Hendon, Flora Elkins as Lady Anne, Joe Bousard as John Canty and Robert McHaffey.Another version of this musical was recorded onPickwick Records(SPC-3204) with the misleading cover blurb stating that it was the "Original Soundtrack from the New Movie".

AnOff-Broadwaymusical with music byNeil Bergopened atLamb's Theatreon June 16, 2002.The original cast included Dennis Michael Hall as Prince Edward,Gerard Canonicoas Tom Canty,Rob Evanas Miles Hendon, Stephen Zinnato as Hugh Hendon, Rita Harvey as Lady Edith,Michael McCormickas John Canty, Robert Anthony Jones as the Hermit/Dresser, Sally Wilfert as Mary Canty,Allison Fischeras Lady Jane and Aloysius Gigl as Father Andrew. The musical closed on August 31, 2003.

English playwrightJemma Kennedyadapted the story into a musical drama, which was performed at theUnicorn Theatrein London between 2012 and 2013, directed bySelina Cartmell,and starred twins Danielle and Nichole Bird as the Prince and the Pauper andJake Hardersas Miles Hendon.

Comics

1946Classic Comicscover

In 1946, the story was adapted into comics form by Arnold L. Hicks inClassics Illustrated( "Classic Comics") #29, published byGilberton.

In 1962,Dell ComicspublishedWalt Disney's The Prince and the Pauper,illustrated byDan Spiegle,based on the three-part television adaptation produced byWalt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.

The British comicNipperhad a regular strip calledWill and Billthat updated the concept to be about the youngPrince Williamregularly swapping places with a working-class boy who looked identical to him.

In 1990,Disney ComicspublishedDisney's The Prince and the Pauper,by Scott Saavedra and Sergio Asteriti, based on theanimated featurette starring Mickey Mouse.

Film

The novel has also been the basis of several films. In some versions, Prince Edward carries identification when he assumes Tom's role. While animations such as the Mickey Mouse version retell the story, other cartoons employ parody (including an episode of the animated television showJohnny Bravoin which Twain appears, begging cartoonists to "let this tired story die" ).Film criticRoger Ebertsuggested that the 1983 comedy filmTrading Places(starringDan AykroydandEddie Murphy) has similarities to Twain's tale due to the two characters' switching lives (although not by choice).

A much-abridged1920 silent versionwas produced (as one of his first films) byAlexander KordainAustriaentitledDer Prinz und der Bettelknabe.

The1937 versionby Warner Bros. was its biggest hit for the year and starredErrol Flynn(as Hendon),Claude Raines,Alan Hale,and twinsBilly and Bobby Mauch(as Tom Canty and Edward Tudor, respectively).

A 1977 film version of the story, starringOliver Reedas Miles Hendon,Rex Harrisonas theDuke of Norfolk,Mark Lesteras Edward/Tom,Ernest Borgnineas John Canty,Charlton Hestonas Henry VIII, andRaquel Welchand directed byRichard Fleischer,was released in the UK asThe Prince and the Pauperand in the US asCrossed Swords.

In 1990,Walt Disney Feature Animationreleased ananimated featuretteinspired by the novel and starringMickey Mouse.In this version, Mickey "plays" both of the title roles, with a cast of other Disney characters.

It Takes Two,starring twinsMary-KateandAshley Olsen,is another loose adaptation of this story, in which two look-alike girls, one the wealthy daughter of a wireless service tycoon and the other an orphan, switch places in order to experience each other's lives. Similarly, 2000'sModel Behavior,which originally aired onABC'sThe Wonderful World of Disney,starsMaggie Lawsonas a teenage model and an ordinary high schooler who also decide to switch places.

A 2000 made-for-TV film directed byGiles FosterstarsAidan Quinn(as Miles Hendon),Alan Bates,Jonathan Hyde,and identical twins Jonathan and Robert Timmins.

In 2004,The Prince and the Pauperwas adapted into an 85-minute animatedmusical,Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper,withBarbieplaying the blonde Princess Anneliese and the brunette pauper Erika. In 2012, a second animated musical adaptation was released, titledBarbie: The Princess and the Popstar.In it, Barbie plays a blonde princess named Victoria (Tori) and a brunette pop star named Keira. Both crave the life of another; one day, they meet and magically change places.

Garfield's second live-action film, 2006'sGarfield: A Tail of Two Kitties,is another adaptation of the classic story, although its title referencesCharles Dickens'sA Tale of Two Cities.

A 2007 film,A Modern Twain Story: The Prince and the Pauper,stars identical twinsDylan and Cole Sprouse.

Another loose adaptation,Monte Carlo,was released in 2011 by20th Century Foxand starsSelena Gomez.

ATelugu filmversion,Raju Peda,was released in 1954, starringN. T. Rama Raoand directed and produced, for Indian television, byB. A. Subba Raoand dubbed intoTamilasAandi Petra Selvamin 1957. Later, aHindi filmversion,Raja Aur Runk,was directed byKotayya Pratyagatmaand released in 1968. These films "Indianized" many of the episodes in the original story. A 1983Kannadamovie,Eradu Nakshatragalu,was also inspired byThe Prince and the Pauper.The 1996BollywoodfilmTere Mere Sapneis loosely based upon this story, in which two boys born on exactly the same date switch places to experience the other's life while learning valuable lessons along the way. In 2020, anotherTelugu filmversion,Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo,was released, with theHindi-language remakeShehzadareleased in 2023.

Television

A 1962 three-partWalt Disney's Wonderful World of Colortelevision adaptation featuresGuy Williamsas Miles Hendon. Both Prince Edward and Tom Canty are played bySean Scully,using the split-screen technique that Disney had used inThe Parent Trap(1961) withHayley Mills.

The 21st episode ofThe Monkees,aired on February 6, 1967, is titled "The Prince and the Paupers".

TheJosie and the Pussycatsepisode "Swap Plot Flop" has Valerie agreeing to pose as a kidnapped princess who looks just like her, only for the plan to backfire.

An episode ofThe Osmondscalled "Jimmy and James in London" has Jimmy and Fuji switching places with their doppelgangers.

In a 1976ABC Afterschool Special,Lance Kerwinplays the dual role in a modern American-based adaptation of the story titled "P.J. and the President's Son".

TheBBCproduced a television adaptation bywriter Richard Harris,consisting of six thirty-minute episodes, in 1976.Nicholas Lyndhurstplays both Prince Edward and Tom Canty.

Ringo,a 1978 TV special starringRingo Starr,involves the formerBeatlesdrummer trading places with a talentless look-alike.

The BBC TV comedy seriesBlackadder the Thirdhas an episode, "Duel and Duality",in which thePrince Regentbelieves that theDuke of Wellingtonis after him. The prince swaps clothes with his butler Blackadder and says, "This reminds of that story 'The Prince and the Porpoise'." Blackadder corrects him: "and thePauper,"to which the prince replies," Ah yes, the Prince and the Porpoise and the Pauper. "SinceBlackadder the Thirdis set during the early 1800s, this is ananachronism.

In 1996, PBS aired aWishboneadaptation titled"The Prince and the Pooch",withWishboneplaying both Tom Canty and Edward VI.

The BBC produced a six-part dramatization of the story in 1996, adapted byJulian Fellowes,starringJames Purefoy,withKeith Michellreprising his role of Henry VIII. This series was nominated for aBritish Academy Children's Award.

A 2011 episode ofPhineas and Ferb( "Make Play", season 2, episode 64) follows a similar storyline, with Candace switching places with Princess Baldegunde of Drusselstein and discovering that royal life is dull.

Switched at Birthis an American teen and family drama television series that premiered onABC Familyon June 6, 2011.

Starting with the episode "The Shepherd" (which premiered on December 4, 2011), the TV seriesOnce Upon a Timeintroduces a version of the story where a shepherd namedDavidis the Pauper and Prince James is the Prince.

In 2017Hallmark Channelreleased the movieSwitched at Christmas,starringCandace Cameron Bureplaying both twin sisters Kate Lockhart and Chris Dixon who swap after comparing their lifes.

The 2017 Japanese anime seriesPrincess Principaluses a similar story as the background for the characters Ange and Princess Charlotte; their history is revealed by Ange under the guise of a fairy tale named "The Princess and the Pickpocket". Ten years prior to the start of the series, Ange, who was actually the real Princess Charlotte, met Princess, who was actually a common pickpocket named Ange and looked identical to her. They befriended one another and eventually decided to trade places for a day. Soon after the switch, however, a Revolution broke out and divided their country, separating the girls and leaving them trapped in each other's roles.

InThe Princess Switch(a Netflix romantic Christmas film released in November 2018 starringVanessa Hudgens), Margaret, the Duchess of Montenaro, changes places with baker Stacy, whom she accidentally meets. That plot results in 2 new love stories. This film is the first installment in thePrincess Switchtrilogy.It was followed by asequel,The Princess Switch: Switched Again,which premiered on November 19, 2020, and thethreequel,The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star,which premiered on November 18, 2021. The series is produced byNetflixand released exclusively through its streaming services asNetflix Original Films.

Sister Swapis a 2021 American series of TV films starring sistersKimberly Williams-PaisleyandAshley Williams.The films were originally broadcast onHallmark Channel,as part of the channel's "Countdown to Christmas" seasonal programming.

Video games

In 1996, C&E, a Taiwanese software company, released an RPG video game forSega Genesisentitled tân khất cái vương tử /Xīn qǐgài wángzǐ( "New Beggar Prince" ). Its story was inspired by the book, with the addition of fantastic elements such as magic, monsters, and other RPG themes. The game wasportedto PC in 1998. It was eventually licensed in an English translation and released in 2006 asBeggar Princeby independent game publisherSuper Fighter Team.This was one of the first new games for the discontinued Sega platform since 1998 and is perhaps the first video game adaptation of the book.

See also

• Cultural depictions of Edward VI
• William Featherstone,a man who claimed to be Edward VI after the latter's death
• The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later(1850), the third volume ofAlexandre Dumas' Musketeers series, featuring a "royal doppelganger" subplot based on theMan in the Iron Masklegend.
• The Prisoner of Zenda(1894), the first volume ofAnthony Hope's Ruritania series, also involving a royal substitution with a double. It has been parodied almost as frequently asThe Prince and the Pauper.

External links

Media related toThe Prince and the Pauperat Wikimedia Commons

• The Prince and the PauperatStandard Ebooks
• The Prince and the PauperatProject Gutenberg
• The Prince and the Pauperpublic domain audiobook atLibriVox
• Listen to the Studio Cast musical ofThe Prince and the PauperonInternet Archive