# Coronation Day explained — The Prince and the Pauper

> Chapter companion for The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain.

## What happens

On the day of the coronation, Tom Canty is about to be crowned when the true king, Edward, arrives in rags and reveals himself. After a series of questions and the discovery that the Great Seal is missing, Tom recalls that Edward used it to crack nuts, proving Edward's identity. Edward is crowned king, and Tom is spared and honored.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Appearance

The true king is recognized despite his ragged clothes, while Tom in royal robes is nearly crowned, highlighting the contrast between appearance and true identity.

### Justice and Injustice

Edward spares Tom from punishment and rebukes the Lord Protector for his ungrateful conduct, restoring justice.

### Mercy and Redemption

Tom is shown mercy by Edward, who acknowledges Tom's role in preserving the crown and refuses to harm him.

## Character check-ins

### Tom Canty

The mock-king who willingly relinquishes the throne and helps prove Edward's identity by recalling the Great Seal was used to crack nuts.

### Edward VI

The true king who arrives in rags at the coronation, answers questions correctly, and is finally recognized after the Great Seal is located.

### Lord Protector

Initially skeptical, he questions Edward and later orders Tom's arrest, but is rebuked by the new king.

### Lord St. John

Sent by Edward to retrieve the Great Seal from the secret cabinet, but returns saying it is not there.

### Henry VIII

Deceased, but referenced as the late king whose apartments Edward describes correctly.

## Key lines

> Now, O my king, take these regal garments back, and give poor Tom, thy servant, his shreds and remnants again.

Tom asks the true king to take back the royal robes and return his own rags.

_Tom voluntarily surrenders the throne._

> To crack nuts with!

Tom admits he used the Great Seal to crack nuts.

_This humorous revelation proves Tom is not the true king and leads to Edward's recognition._

> Oh, my lord the king, let poor Tom Canty be first to swear fealty to thee, and say, ‘Put on thy crown and enter into thine own again!’

Tom kneels and pledges loyalty to Edward, urging him to reclaim the crown.

_Tom's public acknowledgment of Edward as the rightful king._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_and_the_pauper_se/chapters/xxxii-coronation-day
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_and_the_pauper_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prince_and_the_pauper_se/chapters