Pudd’nhead Wilson · Chapter
Doom explained
In a dramatic courtroom scene, Pudd'nhead Wilson presents his fingerprint evidence to prove that Tom Driscoll is actually the murderer of Judge Driscoll and that he is, in fact, the slave Chambers, switched at birth by Roxy.
What happens
In a dramatic courtroom scene, Pudd'nhead Wilson presents his fingerprint evidence to prove that Tom Driscoll is actually the murderer of Judge Driscoll and that he is, in fact, the slave Chambers, switched at birth by Roxy. The revelation shocks the court, and Tom collapses in confession. Roxy falls to her knees, sobbing in guilt.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Self
The courtroom revelation shatters the constructed identities of Tom and Chambers, exposing the arbitrary nature of social labels.
Justice and Injustice
Wilson's evidence brings the murderer to justice, but the system that allowed the switch and enslaved an innocent man remains unchallenged.
Deception and Appearance
The entire town is deceived by the switched babies; Wilson's fingerprints reveal the truth beneath the surface.
Characters to notice
- Pudd'nhead Wilson
Delivers the climactic fingerprint evidence, revealing the switched identities and Tom's guilt.
- Tom Driscoll
Exposed as the murderer and the true slave; collapses in confession.
- Roxana
Falls to her knees in guilt and sorrow as the truth is revealed.
- Count Luigi
Identified by his fingerprints during Wilson's demonstration.
- Count Angelo Capello
Identified by his fingerprints during Wilson's demonstration.
- Judge Driscoll
The victim of the murder, referred to as the beloved friend of the community.
Key passages
“A was put into B's cradle in the nursery; B was transferred to the kitchen and became a Negro and a slave”
The babies were switched at birth, one raised as a white master and the other as a black slave.
Wilson reveals the central deception of the novel.
“The murderer of your friend and mine—York Driscoll of the generous hand and the kindly spirit—sits in among you.”
The person who killed Judge Driscoll is here in this courtroom.
Wilson directly accuses Tom of the murder.
“De Lord have mercy on me, po' misable sinner dat I is!”
Lord, have mercy on me, a miserable sinner.
Roxy's anguished confession of her role in the switch.