The situation is humorous because in his disguise the prince has no power.
How does appearance affect the way both Edward and Tom are treated? How do they react to the way they are treated: How do "clothes make the man" in today's Society? How do people react to outward appearances?
The change in appearance the two boys make merely changes their lives and the way in which they are perceived by the others. Thus, Twain hints at the fact that people make their judgment of other people based on appearance only. Moreover, the importance of appearance indicates that the huge discrepancies in social status and power between two individuals are not justifiable.
4. How does Twain inject humor into the situation of both boys? How does honesty play into that humor?
The humor of the situation is obvious in the fact that the boys' sense of identity has not changed although their circumstances are radically different from what they were. Honesty plays an important role in this because it emphasizes the boys' reaction to the new situations they are in.
Why do both boys feel trapped? Find examples of this in both chapters.
Once they exchange their roles in a playful game, the two boys find themselves trapped in their new identity because of the others' perception of them. Edward finds with stupor that he cannot convince the others of the fact that he is a prince and that he is constantly derided. Tom in his turn is taken to be mad by the others despite the fact that he actually tells the truth about his identity. Both are inevitably trapped since their appearance forces a new identity on them.
How is nobility shown as pompous in these chapters? What does this say about democracy?
The sharp
Democracy, on the other hand, emphasizes the rights and the equality of all the individuals in a state.
Chapter 6
What comment is Twain making about royal life in this chapter. Who makes the decisions?
Royal life is certainly not a privileged state itself, since the rigorous pomp of the court allows no freedom for the pauper who is now dressed in princely clothes. The decisions are clearly taken by those who surround him and his life and manners are constantly dictated and imposed.
Why is English royalty so dependent upon ceremony? Find examples of ritual/protocol in this chapter and explain the significance of each. Why are they necessary? Why do they exist?
Protocol is an essential part of English royalty. Ceremony is a way of celebrating royalty but it also has a standardizing effect: the poor Tom soon learns that he has to act only according with the requirements of protocol or what the others dictate.
Why does Tom insist that he is not the prince? What does this show about his character? Why do others not believe him?
Tom is daunted by the pomp and majesty that surrounds him and feels humble and unequal to the situation. However, the others simply blame his conduct on a temporal loss of balance and reason, and do not believe his story despite his very awkward behavior: his new appearance forces the new identity on him.
Chapter 7
Why does Twain spend such a long time detailing the process of getting prepared for dinner? Why are so many servants present?
The number of servants present at the royal dinner emphasizes the useless pomp that accompanies such a simple and natural act as eating. Twain humorously points to the indeed useless presence of many of the servants, who seem to be there with no purpose at all.
What are the "Grand Hereditaries'? What purpose do they serve? For what purpose does Twain include them?
The Grand Hereditaries are the people whose functions make them each assist the prince at his dinner in a particular way. One of them for instance is in charge only of the napkins the prince
