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
When Tom wakes up, all of London is buzzing with excitement. As is tradition, Tom leads a parade from the Tower to Westminster Abbey with a massive group of noblemen and their vassals, the mayor of London, members of London’s guilds, and a special group of guards. Tom’s heart swells with pride as he looks out over the crowds who’ve come to see him. He even recognizes some old friends and he wonders what they’d think if they knew his real identity—but he doesn’t call out to them. Occasionally there are calls for a largess, which prompts Tom to toss shiny coins into the crowd. At the end of one street is an arch featuring Elizabeth of York on a white rose, Henry VII with a red rose, and Henry VIII with the Tudor rose. Next to Henry VIII is Jane Seymour, and there is an effigy of Edward as well.
The famous Tudor Rose was created by combining a white rose (the symbol of the House of York) with a red rose (the symbol of the House of Lancaster) after Henry VII married Elizabeth of York. Their marriage united two warring houses and created the House of Tudor. The arch Tom sees traces both the beginning of the House of Tudor and how that creation helped unite a divided country and brough some level of peace after years of war.
Themes
Throughout the city are paintings that illustrate the new king’s virtues and talents. Tom marvels at it all, knowing it’s been set up for him. Just as he’s about to throw another handful of coins, however, Tom notices a face looking up at him in wonder—his mother is in the crowd and she recognizes him. Tom’s mother rushes forward and grabs his leg, but Tom calls out that he doesn’t know her while guards violently pull her away. Tom is immediately ashamed of himself and ashamed at how the guards treated his mother, but he only stares back at her as the parade moves forward. Tom no longer marvels at the splendid decorations or adoring crowds. His new position seems more like a reproach than a blessing and he wishes he wasn’t a captive anymore.
Tom is so disturbed by the sight of his mother because he knows his mother is the only one who truly recognizes him for who he is—a beggar with no legitimate claim on the throne. If Tom claimed his mother, then it would send a powerful message about the importance of recognizing one’s upbringing and family legacy. Tom’s personal history might not be as great or dramatic as the House of Tudor’s, but it still shaped who he is and he has proven himself as an apt ruler. By denying his mother, however, Tom falls victim to his new pride—he is guilty of the same kind of injustice he’s been trying to eradicate.
Themes
Tom is too preoccupied with his thoughts and sense of shame to notice the crowds calling for a largess or any of the beautiful decorations. The crowd begins to quiet and the people appear somewhat anxious. The Duke of Somerset notices this and he rides up next to Tom. Somerset tells Tom to smile at the people. Although Tom does as he’s told, his smile is mechanical and insincere. Still, the people are happy because he throws them big handfuls of coins. When Tom falls back into a melancholy state, Somerset again approaches and asks if the crazy woman who grabbed Tom upset him. Tom turns and says that the woman was his mother. Somerset is startled—he thinks this means the king has gone insane again.
Tom readily puts on the smiling face he’s expected to have, which shows just how much he’s changed since he first arrived in the palace. Now Tom knows what’s expected of him and it’s become like second nature to him. The Duke of Somerset (once the Earl of Hertford) is supposed to be responsible for Edward as Lord Protector, but he, like King Henry VIII, is more interested in making sure his nephew is the one on the throne than that an apt ruler is coronated. Even though Somerset thinks the king is insane, he doesn’t speak up to stop the coronation.
Themes
