# The Murderer Chuckles explained — Pudd’nhead Wilson

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

## What happens

The trial of the twins begins, with the prosecution presenting circumstantial evidence and witnesses. Wilson's defense is weak, relying on the testimony of three women who saw a veiled young woman leaving the scene. Tom Driscoll, confident in his own guilt, visits Wilson that night and inadvertently reveals a crucial fingerprint clue that shocks Wilson.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Injustice

The trial highlights the tension between circumstantial evidence and true guilt, as the innocent twins are prosecuted while the real murderer remains free.

### Deception and Appearance

Tom Driscoll's confident deception and the false appearance of the twins' guilt underscore the theme of appearance versus reality.

### Race and Slavery

Roxy's presence in the 'nigger corner' and her possession of her bill of sale reflect the racial hierarchies and the lingering impact of slavery.

## Character check-ins

### Pudd'nhead Wilson

Defense counsel for the twins; struggles with the lack of evidence and is stunned when he discovers a crucial fingerprint clue on a glass strip.

### Tom Driscoll

Visits Wilson to gloat and mock him; inadvertently shows Wilson a fingerprint strip with Roxy's thumbprint, revealing a line that shocks Wilson.

### Roxana

Present in the courtroom, wearing good clothes and carrying her bill of sale; she is eager to see the twins hanged for Judge Driscoll's murder.

### Chambers

Sits in the 'nigger corner' of the courtroom during the trial.

### Aunt Patsy Cooper

The only friend of the twins present at the trial; she sits near Wilson and tries to offer hope but breaks down.

### Pembroke Howard

Public prosecutor who presents the State's case against the twins.

## Key lines

> Even the clearest and most perfect circumstantial evidence is likely to be at fault, after all, and therefore ought to be received with great caution. Take the case of any pencil, sharpened by any woman: if you have witnesses, you will find she did it with a knife; but if you take simply the aspect of the pencil, you will say she did it with her teeth.

Circumstantial evidence can be misleading; for example, a pencil sharpened by a woman might appear to have been done with teeth, but witnesses would confirm she used a knife.

_Wilson's calendar entry serves as a thematic warning about the fallibility of circumstantial evidence._

> The man that can track a bird through the air in the dark and find that bird is the man to track me out and find the Judge’s assassin—no other need apply.

Finding the real murderer is as impossible as tracking a bird flying in the dark.

_Tom Driscoll's internal monologue reveals his arrogance and confidence in his own cleverness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pudd_nhead_wilson_se/chapters/xx-the-murderer-chuckles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pudd_nhead_wilson_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pudd_nhead_wilson_se/chapters