The Autobiography of Mark Twain · Chapter
Playing 'The Prince and the Pauper' explained
Twain recalls the charming surprise of his family and neighbors performing 'The Prince and the Pauper' at home, organized by his wife Livy.
What happens
Twain recalls the charming surprise of his family and neighbors performing 'The Prince and the Pauper' at home, organized by his wife Livy. He describes the children's natural acting, their charades, and the imaginative tragedies Susy and Margaret Warner devised, with little Jean solemnly drafting death warrants.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Domestic Life
The chapter centers on family theatricals, charades, and the warm domestic creativity of the Clemens household.
Memory and Autobiography
Twain fondly recalls these childhood performances and the imaginative play of his daughters.
Characters to notice
- Mark Twain
Recalls the home performance of 'The Prince and the Pauper' and his role as Miles Hendon.
- Susy Clemens
Played the prince in the home performance; also devised tragedies with Margaret Warner.
- Livy Clemens
Organized and costumed the home performance of 'The Prince and the Pauper'.
- Clara Clemens
Played Lady Jane Grey with electrifying spirit in the performance.
- Jean Clemens
At age three, played all parts in her own one-actor version; later drafted death warrants for the queens' tragedies.
- Joe Twichell
His youngest son played a page in the performance.
- Katy Leary
Had a part added for her in the home performance.
- George Dolby
A former slave who became a beloved family servant; had a part added for him in the performance.
Key passages
“General Grant has actually concluded to write his autobiography.”
Twain overhears that Grant has decided to write his memoirs.
This remark foreshadows Twain's later involvement with Grant's memoirs.
“She had patched the scenes together from the book and had trained the six or eight young actors in their parts, and had also designed and furnished the costumes.”
Livy adapted the scenes from the book, directed the young actors, and created the costumes.
Highlights Livy's central role in the home production.
“He had been born a slave, in Maryland, was set free by the Proclamation when he was just entering young manhood.”
George was born into slavery in Maryland and freed by the Emancipation Proclamation as a young man.
Provides background on the family servant George.