"The Tragedy of Pudd'Nhead Wilson" is set in Dawson's Landing, Missouri, in 1830. The story revolves around two infants born on the same day: Thomas à Becket Driscoll, the son of a wealthy white man, and Chambers, the son of Roxy, a slave. Roxy, fearing for her child's future as a slave, decides to switch the two babies, raising Thomas as her own and Chambers as the white heir. As the children grow, Roxy's plan leads to a series of events that explore themes of identity, race, and social status. Pudd'Nhead Wilson, a local lawyer ridiculed for a foolish remark, becomes an unlikely hero. He uses his interest in fingerprinting to uncover the truth about the switched identities. The narrative culminates in a courtroom drama where the true identities of the boys are revealed, leading to tragic consequences. The novel critiques societal norms regarding race and class, ultimately highlighting the absurdity of the social constructs that define identity.
By Mark Twain · First published 1894 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Satire · 21 chapters