The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

In one of his later novels, the master storyteller spins a tale of two children switched at infancy. A slave takes on the identity of master and heir while the rightful heir is condemned to live the life of a slave. Twain uses this vehicle to explore themes of nature vs. nurture, racial bigotry and moral relativism. The case of mistaken identity is a theme that Twain explored also in THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER; in THE TRAGEDY OF PUDD'NHEAD WILSON he turns the theme into a well-crafted detective story. It is unfortunate that this is one of Twain's lesser known works as it is one of his most enjoyable reads.

Genre(s): Humorous Fiction, Detective Fiction, Satire

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Pudd'nhead Wins His Name Michael Yard
00:14:21
Play 02 Driscoll Spares His Slaves Michael Yard
00:19:36
Play 03 Roxy Plays a Shrewd Trick Michael Yard
00:15:44
Play 04 The Ways of the Changelings Michael Yard
00:22:51
Play 05 The Twins Thrill Dawson's Landing Michael Yard
00:14:26
Play 06 Swimming in Glory Michael Yard
00:13:51
Play 07 The Unknown Nymph Michael Yard
00:08:51
Play 08 Marse Tom Tramples His Chance Michael Yard
00:26:23
Play 09 Tom Practices Sycophancy Michael Yard
00:13:54
Play 10 The Nymph Revealed Michael Yard
00:13:57
Play 11 Pudd'nhead's Thrilling Discovery Michael Yard
00:35:27
Play 12 The Shame of Judge Driscoll Michael Yard
00:16:14
Play 13 Tom Stares at Ruin Michael Yard
00:16:58
Play 14 Roxana Insists Upon Reform Michael Yard
00:26:34
Play 15 The Robber Robbed Michael Yard
00:24:06
Play 16 Sold Down the River Michael Yard
00:10:53
Play 17 The Judge Utters Dire Prophesy Michael Yard
00:06:29
Play 18 Roxana Commands Michael Yard
00:29:51
Play 19 The Prophesy Realized Michael Yard
00:25:15
Play 20 The Murderer Chuckles Michael Yard
00:20:47
Play 21 Doom Michael Yard
00:33:01
Play 22 Conclusion Michael Yard
00:06:03
Play 23 Author's Note Michael Yard
00:11:05