The Prince and the Pauper · Chapter
XIX: The Prince with the Peasants explained
The king awakens in a barn, comforted by a rat, and is discovered by two little girls, Prissy and Margery, who believe his claim to be the King of England.
What happens
The king awakens in a barn, comforted by a rat, and is discovered by two little girls, Prissy and Margery, who believe his claim to be the King of England. Their mother takes him in, feeds him, and tries to uncover his origins through various questions, eventually concluding he must have worked in a palace kitchen. The king attempts to cook but burns the food, leading to a scolding, but the woman softens and allows him to eat at the family table. John Canty and Hugo arrive, forcing the king to flee with a basket of kittens.
Themes in this chapter
Compassion and Empathy
The widow shows kindness to the king despite his ragged appearance and apparent madness, while the king feels remorse for breaking his trust and humbles himself.
Identity and Appearance
The king's royal identity is doubted by adults but accepted by the innocent children, highlighting the contrast between outward appearance and true self.
Social Class and Inequality
The king and the peasant woman both waive rank unknowingly, as she allows him to eat at the table and he humbles himself to do menial tasks, blurring class lines.
Characters to notice
- Edward VI
Awakens in a barn, befriended by two little girls, and is taken in by their mother. He attempts to cook but burns the food, and later flees when John Canty and Hugo approach.
- John Canty
Arrives at the farmhouse with a peddler's pack, accompanied by Hugo, causing the king to flee.
- Hugo
Arrives with John Canty at the farmhouse, prompting the king's escape.
- Prissy
One of the two little girls who discover the king in the barn and believe his claim to be king.
Key passages
“Poor fool, why so fearful? I am as forlorn as thou. ’Twould be a sham in me to hurt the helpless, who am myself so helpless. Moreover, I owe you thanks for a good omen; for when a king has fallen so low that the very rats do make a bed of him, it surely meaneth that his fortunes be upon the turn, since it is plain he can no lower go.”
The king tells the rat not to be afraid, as he is equally helpless, and sees the rat making a bed on him as a sign that his luck is about to change because he can't sink any lower.
Reflects the king's resilience and hope despite his dire circumstances.
“Another English king had a commission like to this, in a bygone time—it is nothing against my dignity to undertake an office which the great Alfred stooped to assume. But I will try to better serve my trust than he; for he let the cakes burn.”
The king compares his task of cooking to King Alfred's legendary cake-burning, deciding it doesn't lower his dignity and vowing to do better.
Shows the king's historical awareness and his attempt to maintain dignity while performing humble work.