Activity Overview
As The Prince and the Pauper follows the stories of its two separate protagonists, it makes use of parallel plots. Twain alternates the narration between Tom Canty and Edward Tudor stories, bringing them together two times: when they first switch identities and when they reunite and return to their proper roles. To help students trace the structure of this novel, use a storyboard to create a visual of the parallel stories and their points of overlap. Copy the example below as a template, or build your own. To create or alter this storyboard, start with a T-chart and use the white square shape as an overlay to cover the separate boxes and merge them into one as necessary. The same merging can be done for the headings and text boxes using Textables.
The Prince and the Pauper Parallel Plots Example
| Tom's Story | Edward's Story |
|---|---|
Tom lives with his family in Offal Court and gets through his days begging for food and trying to avoid beatings from his father and grandmother. | Prince Edward lives in the royal palace and enjoys a luxurious life of good food, quality education, obedient servants, and adoring subjects. |
Tom and Prince Edward meet at the palace after the prince saves Tom from an angry guard. After discussing their different lives, the two exchange clothes for fun and discover that they look exactly alike. When the prince rushes out to scold the guards in Tom's rags, he is not allowed back in and the switch becomes permanent. | |
At first, Tom struggles to adjust to the grandeur and ritual of palace life, but he learns quickly and soon comes to enjoy the privileges of the palace. | Edward is captured by his "father" John Canty, and he is forced to join a band of thieves and ruffians after Canty murders a priest. |
King Henry VIII dies, and it seems that Tom will become the new king. On coronation day, however, Tom sees his mother and regrets his new royal life. | After Miles Hendon helps Edward escape from the outlaws and a murderous hermit, the two are thrown into prison by Hendon's evil brother Hugh. They are released just in time to head to London for the coronation. |
|
Tom and Edward meet again in the cathedral on Coronation Day. Both boys are eager to switch places again. Eventually, they convince the nobles that Edward is the true king, and the kingdom is set to rights again. Tom and Edward remain friends until Edward's death. | |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Identify the parallels between the two different plots in The Prince and the Pauper .
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- In the left column, describe the plot of Tom's story.
- In the right column, describe the plot of Edward's story.
- Illustrate each scene with appropriate characters, scenes, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
As The Prince and the Pauper follows the stories of its two separate protagonists, it makes use of parallel plots. Twain alternates the narration between Tom Canty and Edward Tudor stories, bringing them together two times: when they first switch identities and when they reunite and return to their proper roles. To help students trace the structure of this novel, use a storyboard to create a visual of the parallel stories and their points of overlap. Copy the example below as a template, or build your own. To create or alter this storyboard, start with a T-chart and use the white square shape as an overlay to cover the separate boxes and merge them into one as necessary. The same merging can be done for the headings and text boxes using Textables.
The Prince and the Pauper Parallel Plots Example
| Tom's Story | Edward's Story |
|---|---|
Tom lives with his family in Offal Court and gets through his days begging for food and trying to avoid beatings from his father and grandmother. | Prince Edward lives in the royal palace and enjoys a luxurious life of good food, quality education, obedient servants, and adoring subjects. |
Tom and Prince Edward meet at the palace after the prince saves Tom from an angry guard. After discussing their different lives, the two exchange clothes for fun and discover that they look exactly alike. When the prince rushes out to scold the guards in Tom's rags, he is not allowed back in and the switch becomes permanent. | |
At first, Tom struggles to adjust to the grandeur and ritual of palace life, but he learns quickly and soon comes to enjoy the privileges of the palace. | Edward is captured by his "father" John Canty, and he is forced to join a band of thieves and ruffians after Canty murders a priest. |
King Henry VIII dies, and it seems that Tom will become the new king. On coronation day, however, Tom sees his mother and regrets his new royal life. | After Miles Hendon helps Edward escape from the outlaws and a murderous hermit, the two are thrown into prison by Hendon's evil brother Hugh. They are released just in time to head to London for the coronation. |
|
Tom and Edward meet again in the cathedral on Coronation Day. Both boys are eager to switch places again. Eventually, they convince the nobles that Edward is the true king, and the kingdom is set to rights again. Tom and Edward remain friends until Edward's death. | |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Identify the parallels between the two different plots in The Prince and the Pauper .
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- In the left column, describe the plot of Tom's story.
- In the right column, describe the plot of Edward's story.
- Illustrate each scene with appropriate characters, scenes, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about The Prince and the Pauper Parallel Plots Activity
Organize a classroom discussion about parallel plots
Encourage students to share their observations about Tom and Edward’s stories by leading a class discussion. Ask open-ended questions to help students compare the two protagonists, their challenges, and how their experiences overlap and differ.
Assign students to identify turning points in both plots
Have students locate key events in both Tom’s and Edward’s journeys. Guide them to mark moments where the story changes direction, like the identity swap or their reunion. This helps students recognize narrative structure.
Guide students to illustrate scenes using storyboards
Direct students to draw or digitally create scenes from each plot line on their storyboard templates. Encourage creativity by suggesting they use color, characters, and setting details to show differences and similarities between Tom’s and Edward’s worlds.
Facilitate small group sharing of storyboards
Divide students into small groups and prompt them to present their storyboards to each other. Ask each group to discuss which scenes they found most significant and how they chose to illustrate the contrasts between the two storylines.
Connect parallel plots to students’ own experiences
Invite students to reflect on their own lives and write or share about a time when they experienced a situation similar to a character in the story. This activity builds empathy and deepens understanding of parallel plot structures.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Prince and the Pauper Parallel Plots Activity
What is a parallel plot in 'The Prince and the Pauper'?
A parallel plot in 'The Prince and the Pauper' is when the novel follows two separate but interwoven storylines—one about Tom Canty, a pauper, and the other about Edward Tudor, a prince. Their stories run side by side, occasionally overlapping, especially when they switch identities and later reunite.
How can students visualize the parallel plots in 'The Prince and the Pauper'?
Students can visualize the parallel plots by creating a storyboard or T-chart. One side tracks Tom's experiences while the other follows Edward's, with merged sections for moments when their paths cross. This makes it easy to compare and contrast their journeys.
What is a good classroom activity to teach parallel plots using 'The Prince and the Pauper'?
A great classroom activity is to have students fill out a storyboard template that details Tom's and Edward's stories side by side. They can illustrate key scenes and identify where the plots overlap, helping them understand narrative structure and character development.
Why is understanding parallel plots important for middle school students?
Understanding parallel plots helps middle school students develop critical reading skills. It teaches them to track multiple storylines, recognize how characters influence each other, and appreciate complex narrative techniques used in literature.
What tools or templates can teachers use to help students map parallel plots?
Teachers can use T-charts, storyboards, or digital tools with customizable templates. These resources allow students to organize each character's storyline, add illustrations, and highlight where the stories intersect for clearer understanding.
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