Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Prince and the Pauper, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Appearances vs. Reality
Wealth, Poverty, and Morality
Justice
Nature vs. Nurture
Summary
Analysis
On an autumn day in 16th-century London, two baby boys are born—one to the impoverished Canty family that doesn’t want a baby, and one to the wealthy Tudor family that wants a baby very much. All of England celebrates the birth of Edward Tudor, the Prince of Wales. Nobody, however, celebrates the birth of Tom Canty, whose family only laments how much trouble he’ll cause.
The real Edward Tudor was born on October 12, 1537. Edward’s birth was a very exciting event because his father, King Henry VIII, was notoriously desperate for a male heir even though he had two living daughters. While any royal birth is exciting, then, Edward’s is particularly important.
Themes
