Sometimes it seems like the truth is obvious. It's the truth, after all, right? But in The Prince and the Pauper, truth and fiction are so mixed up that none of the characters can seem to get it straight. After a while, even Tom seems to think that he's the real king and not a pauper. In the end, everything gets straightened out, but The Prince and the Pauper teaches us that truth and fiction are not as easily separable as they seem.
Questions About Versions of Reality
- Why are Tom and Edward accused of being insane in The Prince and the Pauper?
- Which characters are able to see the truth in The Prince and the Pauper? Why do you think they can see it?
- What is the difference between fiction and reality in The Prince and the Pauper? Are things always as they seem? Is one better than the other?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
There isn't a very clear distinction between fiction and reality in The Prince and the Pauper.
People who seem crazy are sometimes the sanest in The Prince and the Pauper.