The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson

Brief Overview

«The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson» is a satirical novel by Mark Twain set in a small Mississippi River town in the 1830s. The story begins with the birth of two boys on the same day: one to a wealthy plantation owner and the other to a slave. Fearing for her son's future, the slave Roxy switches the infants. As a result, her son grows up as the heir to wealth, while the true heir becomes a slave. Tom Driscoll, raised as a white man, turns out to be spoiled and cruel, while the real heir, known as Chambers, lives in poverty. At the center of the plot is lawyer David Wilson, considered a fool due to his odd behavior. However, he uncovers the secret of the switched children using fingerprints, leading to dramatic consequences. The novel explores themes of racism, social injustice, and human nature, using elements of detective fiction and satire.