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The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson cover

The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson

In a small river town, two infants are secretly exchanged at birth, producing an extended reversal of race and class that shapes the children’s upbringing and the community’s social order. One child is raised with privilege while the other endures marginalization, and the narrative traces how gossip, hypocrisy, and ingrained assumptions sustain those roles. A much-mocked, curious local keeps careful observations and eventually uncovers forensic evidence that exposes the swap, triggering legal confrontation and ironic reckonings about parentage, identity, and the social construction of race and status.

By Mark Twain
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American LiteratureClassics of LiteratureNovels

About This Book

In a small river town, two infants are secretly exchanged at birth, producing an extended reversal of race and class that shapes the children’s upbringing and the community’s social order. One child is raised with privilege while the other endures marginalization, and the narrative traces how gossip, hypocrisy, and ingrained assumptions sustain those roles. A much-mocked, curious local keeps careful observations and eventually uncovers forensic evidence that exposes the swap, triggering legal confrontation and ironic reckonings about parentage, identity, and the social construction of race and status.

About the Author

Twain, Mark portrait

Mark Twain

Mark Twain, the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American author and humorist known for his sharp wit and keen observations of human nature. Born in 1835, he gained fame with works that often explored themes of race, identity, and society in America. His most notable novel, "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," is celebrated for its innovative narrative style and profound social commentary. Twain's other significant work, "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," showcases his satirical take on the clash between modernity and medievalism. His legacy endures as a cornerstone of American literature, influencing countless writers and shaping the literary landscape.

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