Puddin’head Wilson and Those Extraordinary Twins are filled with twins—and I’m not talking about Tom and Chambers or Luigi and Angelo. I’m talking about parallels. Twain uses several parallels in his conjoined novel that challenge the reader to think about and evaluate a variety of deep topics.
· Black & White: Twain grew up in a restrictive era in one of the most controversial regions of the country. Was slavery right or wrong? Growing up, Twain accepted the institution of slavery as fact, but as he began writing he used his pen to speak out against the world of his childhood. He addresses this controversy in Puddin’head Wilson through Roxy’s deception. From the age of eight weeks, Tom and Chambers lead each other’s lives. No one, not one person in the community outside of Roxy, knows the switch has been made. Twain blurs the distinction between Blacks and Whites in his portrayal of “Tom.”
· Male & Female: Now, I know what you’re thinking, “how could Twain challenge the reader’s perception of male and female? Do you think I’m stupid?” No, I don’t—and neither does Twain. Like his meld of Black and White, Twain shows readers that things aren’t always what they seem. Puddin’head Wilson is sure he saw a woman leave the Judge’s house after his murder—but it wasn’t a man that was fleeing. In St. Louis, Roxy avoids recapture and being sold “down river” by dressing as a man.
· Slave & Master: Who is really in control—the slave or the master? In Puddin’head Wilson, it is hard to say for sure. Once again, Twain blurs conventional lines to challenge the distorted moral views of his era. The slave’s son enjoys the life and privilege of his master’s son while the privileged young man works for his meager living. Even when the novel ends and “wrong is made right” nothing really changes. How can a man, who has lived his entire life as a slave, suddenly be accepted and accept himself as his own master? The task is truly daunting.
(346)
No comments:
Post a Comment