Miriam D. reviewed on 7/19/2008

As a single mother who strives to make sure her children have the best the world has to offer, this quick and exciting read gives insight to what, if any, harm uncontrollable doting on your children could cause. At first glance, Puddenhead Wilson by Mark Twain, is about a slave mother named Roxy, who wants the best for her child and devises to switch her unfortunate child with the heir of a plantation at the unsuspecting age of eight months old. It turns out that the son to whom she gave life becomes the oppressor and the âmarster's sonâ became her SON. She gave him everything from the opportunity to a better life to, later, the sacrifice of her own free life. It would seem that this is the basis of the story but there are many underlying themes to explore.

This book, also, hinges on the theme that you are product of your environment not birth right. The âpoorâ or less fortunate child became rich and pompous while the heir learned to live the pauper life. Hence, when all was said and done, the pauper was not comfortable in his new setting as the reinstated heir. He had come to learn and live the pauper life with a slave mentality, mannerisms and dialect. This is a classic reversal of our social hierarchy placed a humorous and witty style.

One of the other components of the book was the quick calendar entries at the beginning of each chapter. It showcases Twain's ability to bring pause and thought â" perhaps even a change in that thought. The use of them by Judge Driscoll to impress his friends and colleagues cues the reader in that they are not to be ignored or overlooked but pondered.

This is one of Mark Twain's best pieces. It is a quick look into how he really felt about our land of the rich and famous. Amazingly it still holds true today.

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