Mark Twain

The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson

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Produktbeschreibung

Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894) is a novel by American writer Mark Twain. Its central intrigue revolves around two boys-one, born into slavery, with 1/32 black ancestry; the other, white, born to be the master of the house. The two boys, who look similar, are switched at infancy. Each grows into the other's social role. The story was serialized in The Century Magazine (1893-4), before being published as a novel in 1894. The setting is the fictional Missouri frontier town of Dawson's Landing on the banks of the Mississippi River in the first half of the 19th century. David Wilson, a young lawyer, moves to town, and a clever remark of his is misunderstood, which causes locals to brand him a "pudd'nhead" (nitwit). His hobby of collecting fingerprints does not raise his standing in the eyes of the townsfolk, who consider him to be eccentric and do not frequent his law practice. "Pudd'nhead" Wilson is left in the background as the focus shifts to the slave Roxy, her son, and the family they serve. Roxy is one-sixteenth black and majority white, and her son Valet de Chambre (referred to as "Chambers") is 1/32 black. Roxy is principally charged with caring for her inattentive master's infant son Tom Driscoll, who is the same age as her own son. After fellow slaves are caught stealing and are nearly sold "down the river" to a master in the Deep South, Roxy fears for her son and herself. She considers killing her boy and herself, but decides to switch Chambers and Tom in their cribs to give her son a life of freedom and privilege. The narrative moves forward two decades. Tom Driscoll (formerly Valet de Chambre), has been raised to believe that he is white and has become a spoiled aristocrat. He is a selfish and dissolute young man. Tom's father has died and granted Roxy her freedom in his will. She worked for a time on river boats, and saved money for her retirement. When she finally is able to retire, she discovers that her bank has failed and all of her savings are gone.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Blurb, Inc.
• Seitenzahl: 180
• Erscheinungstermin: 17. Juli 2019
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 229mm x 152mm x 10mm
• Gewicht: 270g
• ISBN-13: 9780464077688
• ISBN-10: 0464077680
• Artikelnr.: 57365809

Autorenporträt

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was born in Florida, Missouri, in 1835. He grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, which later served as the setting for two of his most famous novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Before becoming a writer, Twain worked as a printer, steamboat pilot, and miner, experiences that deeply influenced his later works. His first major success as a writer came with the humorous short story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County in 1865.Twain's writing is celebrated for its sharp wit, social commentary, and keen observation of human nature. His works often critiqued the societal norms of his time, and his humor was both a tool for entertainment and a vehicle for serious reflection. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, in particular, is hailed as one of the great American novels for its exploration of race and identity in the post-Civil War United States. Twain's ability to blend humor with serious social issues made him a unique voice in American literature.In addition to his literary achievements, Twain was also a sought-after public speaker known for his humor and insight. Despite earning considerable wealth from his writing, he faced financial difficulties later in life due to poor investments. Twain's legacy endures not only through his influential novels and essays but also through his contribution to shaping American literary realism. His life and work continue to be studied and celebrated for their impact on American culture and literature¿.