Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Clothes Make the Man
You're probably familiar with the phrase: "Clothes make the man." But did you know that the full quote is: "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society"? Do you know who came up with this quote? That's right: Mark Twain did.
So... maybe it's a good idea to look at clothes in The Prince and the Pauper.
This novel is all about clothes. There wouldn't be any conflict at all if it weren't for a little wardrobe swap that Tom and Edward make in the beginning of the novel. See for yourself: "A few minutes later the little Prince of Wales was garlanded with Tom's fluttering odds and ends, and the little Prince of Pauperdom was tricked out in the gaudy plumage of royalty" (3.60).
Now, this isn't just a clothes swap. These dudes just swapped lives... but they did it by swapping clothes.
It doesn't make a ton of sense that the world would treat you differently based just on what kind of shirt you're wearing, but Tom and Edward soon find out that that is exactly the case. Tom gets treated like a prince because he's dressed like one. Edward gets treated like a pauper because he's wearing Tom's rags. Clothes are not just things you wear in this novel. They represent who you are.