The Moral of The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain - Assignment Example

However, there are other examples throughout the text that tell the same lesson. One instance is when “three doomed persons” are brought before Tom as king (Twain 119). One man has been accused of poisoning another who died soon after he visited. However, Tom sees through this faulty logic based on superficial appearances and determines the death happened naturally, thus saving the accused from unjust punishment (122). Another example can be seen in the character of Miles Hendon. He is dressed in “tarnished…rumpled and damaged” clothes when he saves Edward from a cruel mob (75).

However, it becomes quickly obvious that despite what the public might think of Miles, he is a kind man, and in fact comes from a wealthy family. Though he thinks Edward is mad, he is nice to him, and Miles eventually receives his reward. By showing how characters are discriminated against because of their appearances, and, in the end, having everyone receive their just reward or punishment, Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper demonstrates to the audience the dangerous consequences of superficially judging one another.