Student Activities for The Prince and the Pauper
Essential Questions for The Prince and the Pauper
- What was the role of the king in sixteenth century England?
- How do the protagonists’ different upbringings shape their characters?
- How is justice achieved throughout the story?
- How do stereotypes about different socioeconomic classes affect the way people treat each other?
- Given the opportunity, would you like to trade places with someone for one day?
The English Monarchy
Though The Prince and the Pauper is a work of fiction, it relies on real historical details about the English monarchy for its setting and characters. King Henry VIII, Prince Edward (later King Edward VI), and most of the other nobles were real historical figures. Twain’s details about the royal family were meticulously researched, but additional background may be required to enhance student understanding. Edward’s father, Henry VIII, is perhaps most notorious for his six wives. Henry sought a son to secure a male heir to the Tudor dynasty, and when his first two wives gave birth only to daughters, he went to great lengths to marry again. Making himself head of the Church of England and changing the national religion, Henry divorced his first wife and executed his second. Although his third wife, Jane Seymour, bore him Edward, she died a few days after delivery. Prince Edward, the only son, was duly cherished by the king. Historians describe Edward as intelligent and pious. Unfortunately, his reign was brief. He became king in 1547 at the age of nine and died of tuberculosis at 15. While king, he was too young to truly rule and was largely directed by the Lord Protector the Earl of Hertford, later executed and replaced by the Earl of Warwick.
Twain takes certain liberties with English history, but bases his characters’ actions and personalities on rough historical accounts. Although modern historians portray Hertford in a critical light, in Twain’s time, he was praised as a champion of the common people. He and young Edward were thus viewed as more tender-hearted and fair-minded than their ruling relations. In a letter to a friend, Twain wrote that his goal in The Prince and the Pauper was “to afford a realizing sense of the exceeding severity of the laws of that day by inflicting some of their penalties upon the King himself and allowing him a chance to see the rest of them applied to others—all of which is to account for a certain mildness which distinguished Edward VI’s reign from those that preceded and followed it.” For more information on Edward VI or the history of the Tudors, visit the links below.
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How Tos about The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
How to guide students in comparing themes of justice in The Prince and the Pauper
Introduce the theme of justice. Begin by asking students what justice means to them and why it's important in society. This helps set the stage for deeper exploration.
Facilitate a classroom discussion on justice in the story
Ask students to identify key moments when justice is served or denied. Encourage everyone to share examples from the book and connect them to historical context. This builds understanding and engagement.
Encourage students to compare justice in the book with modern times
Guide students to brainstorm similarities and differences between the story's justice system and today’s. Prompt them with questions about fairness, laws, and punishments. This fosters critical thinking and relevance.
Assign a creative project to deepen understanding
Ask students to create a visual storyboard or comic strip of a justice-related scene. Let students work in pairs or small groups to illustrate and present their work to the class. This makes the lesson hands-on and memorable.
Wrap up with a reflection activity
Invite students to write a short reflection on what justice means to them after reading the book. Encourage them to include examples from both the story and their own lives. This helps students internalize the concept and connect personally.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
What is the main theme of The Prince and the Pauper?
The main theme of The Prince and the Pauper is social inequality, as the novel explores how class, privilege, and justice affect individuals through the swapped lives of a prince and a pauper.
How can I teach The Prince and the Pauper to middle school students?
To teach The Prince and the Pauper to middle school students, use interactive activities like role-playing, storyboards, and discussions about justice and stereotypes. Connect historical context to modern issues for deeper engagement.
What are some quick lesson ideas for The Prince and the Pauper?
Quick lesson ideas include character mapping, comparing the prince and pauper’s experiences, analyzing historical facts vs. fiction, and discussing the impact of law and justice in the story.
Why is The Prince and the Pauper important for understanding English history?
The Prince and the Pauper provides a lively introduction to sixteenth century English history and the monarchy, blending real historical figures with fiction to help students grasp the social and political climate of the time.
What is the difference between The Prince and the Pauper and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?
The main difference is setting and style: The Prince and the Pauper takes place in England with historical context, while Huckleberry Finn is set in American backwoods. Both showcase Twain’s voice but explore different themes and cultures.
- Great Seal of Edward III • The National Archives UK • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
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