zara nayeem

The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain is the story of Edward Tudor, Prince of Wales, who switches clothing and identities with a poor boy named Tom Canty. They wear each other's clothes so they can experience what it is like to live lives they never had exposure to. They both share the same birthday; however, they have completely different lives. Edward is the from the royal family, And Tom comes from a poor household. Fath brought them together, they decided to exchange clothes for fun but soon found themselves mistaken for one another. Edward struggles to survive on the streets as a pauper, while Tom faces the challenges of royal life as the prince. Tom’s father and grandmother were abusive. They forced him and his sister to beg and beat them. When he switches places with Edward, the poor prince must experience all the humiliation. They both tried to tell others the truth, but when they did, they would be labeled as ‘insane’ Through a series of misunderstandings and adventures, the two boys came to understand the true value of empathy, friendship, and the importance of one's true identity. This book speaks about identity and self-discovery. It shows us to stay true to ourselves, regardless of the social expectations. It shows us the hardships one must face due to social standards. As someone who enjoys history, ‘’The Prince and the Pauper’ is an enjoyable book. There is more to it than just about facts and dates, it's about diving into a different time, and seeing how life was so different back then, Experiencing their joys and struggles. While I was reading this book, I imagined myself going back to the 16th century in England. Walking the streets seeing peasants and nobles. It feels like I’m right there, witnessing everything before my eyes. Although the complex language did no good to me, I enjoyed this book. I would not recommend this book if you aren’t a fan of history or classics since the writing and storyline could make you bored. It's my first time reading a classic and I loved it. I would recommend this book if you were someone who appreciates the same genre. I would highly recommend "The Prince and the Pauper" to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.