# XVI: Sold Down the River explained — Pudd’nhead Wilson

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

## What happens

Tom Driscoll, desperate to pay off his gambling debts, forges a bill of sale and sells his own mother, Roxana, into slavery down the river. Roxana willingly sacrifices herself, believing she will be bought free in a year. Tom rationalizes his betrayal, but Roxana eventually realizes she has been sold down the river, a fate far worse than she expected.

## Themes in this chapter

### Motherhood and Sacrifice

Roxana's willingness to be sold into slavery to save her son highlights the theme of maternal sacrifice, contrasted with Tom's betrayal.

### Deception and Appearance

Tom deceives his mother about the nature of her sale, and the forged bill of sale represents the theme of appearance versus reality.

## Character check-ins

### Tom Driscoll

Tom forges a bill of sale and sells his mother Roxana into slavery to pay his gambling debts, rationalizing his treachery.

### Roxana

Roxana voluntarily offers to be sold into slavery to save her son, but is betrayed and sold down the river, realizing her fate too late.

## Key lines

> Oh, de good Lord God have mercy on po’ sinful me— I’s sole down de river!

Roxana cries out in despair as she realizes she has been sold down the river, a fate she never expected.

_This moment marks Roxana's devastating realization of Tom's betrayal._

> If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.

A dog remains loyal when treated well, but a man may betray even those who help him.

_Wilson's calendar aphorism foreshadows Tom's ingratitude and betrayal of his mother._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pudd_nhead_wilson_se/chapters/xvi-sold-down-the-river
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pudd_nhead_wilson_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pudd_nhead_wilson_se/chapters