Which has more literary value, the tragedy Puddin’head Wilson or comedic farce Those Extraordinary Twins?
I’m not trying to trick you. That’s a loaded question that can be answered by you alone. Personally, I like the tragic Puddin’head Wilson far better than Those Extraordinary Twins. Why? I’m glad you asked.
First, Puddin’head Wilson is a well-rounded, intriguing, complete story. I was drawn in at the beginning (partially because of the Missouri connection) when Roxanne switched the two infants. Right from the beginning, I knew this story was going somewhere—who wouldn’t want to find out what happens when the mix-up is discovered? (If you are one of those uninterested persons, then I question your sense of curiosity.) Though Twain claims that these characters took over the original story, the characters in Puddin’head Wilson are deeper and more developed than those in Those Extraordinary Twins.
Second, enjoy reading more realistic tragedies. As I have already admitted, I enjoy pieces by Hawthorne (The Birthmark and The House of Seven Gables) and Poe. Even contemporary novels and short stories, like A Separate Peace and The Lottery, captivate my attention.
Third, I felt that Those Extraordinary Twins was a stretch. Whether comedy or tragedy, I like to sense a degree of realism in what I read. I want to believe that what is taking place could really happen. Conjoined twins whose legs change ownership on the stroke of midnight of a new week? A town who hangs one twin believing the other will live? Nonsense. There is absolutely nothing plausible, realistic or appealing about a story like that.
Whatever your choice, I can firmly say that, in this instance, I would choose the tragedy hands-down. Maybe I like Puddin’head too much. Maybe I just got annoyed with the conjoined version of Luigi and the ridiculousness of the leg-ownership. Whatever the case, I’ve made my choice—what’s yours?
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