# IX: Tom Practises Sycophancy explained — Pudd’nhead Wilson

> Chapter companion for Pudd’nhead Wilson by Mark Twain.

## What happens

Tom Driscoll, reeling from Roxy's revelation that he is her son and a slave, confronts her in the haunted house. Roxy asserts her authority, demands half his monthly pension, and reveals his father was Colonel Cecil Burleigh Essex, a man of high Virginia stock. Tom, terrified and humiliated, agrees to her terms and learns of his true heritage.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Self

Tom's identity is shattered as he learns he is not white but a slave, and his true name is Valet de Chambers, forcing a crisis of self.

### Race and Slavery

The revelation that Tom is a slave by birth and the power dynamics between Roxy and Tom underscore the brutal realities of race and slavery.

### Deception and Appearance

Roxy's long-held secret and Tom's false identity as a white gentleman highlight the theme of deception and the contrast between appearance and reality.

## Character check-ins

### Tom Driscoll

Tom is confronted by Roxy, who reveals he is her son and a slave. He is forced to call her 'ma' and agrees to give her half his pension.

### Roxana

Roxy reveals the truth to Tom, asserting her authority and demanding half his monthly pension. She also tells him his father was Colonel Cecil Burleigh Essex.

### Chambers

Roxy reveals that Chambers is actually Percy Driscoll's son and Tom's master, and that Tom's real name is Valet de Chambers.

## Key lines

> I’ve knelt to a nigger wench!

Tom is horrified that he has humbled himself before a black woman.

_Tom's internalized racism and shock at his subservience to Roxy._

> You ain’t no more kin to ole Marse Driscoll den I is!— dat’s what I means!

Roxy reveals that Tom is not related to Judge Driscoll at all.

_The pivotal moment of revelation that Tom is not a Driscoll by blood._

> You’s a nigger !— bawn a nigger en a slave !—en you’s a nigger en a slave dis minute

Roxy declares that Tom is black and a slave by birth and remains so.

_The stark declaration of Tom's true racial and legal status._

> Does you ’member Cunnel Cecil Burleigh Essex, dat died de same year yo’ young Marse Tom Driscoll’s pappy died

Roxy identifies Tom's father as Colonel Cecil Burleigh Essex, a prominent local figure.

_Tom learns his father was a respected white aristocrat, which Roxy takes pride in._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pudd_nhead_wilson_se/chapters/ix-tom-practises-sycophancy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pudd_nhead_wilson_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pudd_nhead_wilson_se/chapters