KidLit Forum

As well as in The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, in this book the element of difference is represented by social class. The author presents the miseries endured by New Yorkʼs paupers in tenements houses. As a minority class, they live in suburbs, they are almost isolated, forgotten by society. They have to suffer from cold, disease, hunger in horrible conditions, in dangerous neighbourhoods. What is interesting is the fact that the Majority, the middle class, does not seem to notice or care about their condition. Maybe because they are perceived as something harmfull. For example in John Gavin, Misfit the society does not employ him, on grounds of sickness, even if he is a young man, father of six children. Morover, it feels like the Majority wants to make John feel depersonalized, unadaptable to real life. It seems that it uses on purpose all the ingredients that will lead John to turn against himself and suicide: denial of integration into society, feeling of not belonging anywhere, miserable conditions etc (maybe only my exaggerated impression).

All the short stories are very emmotional and make you contemplate about that miserable life. Most of them take place around Christmas period, as a metaphor for a new beginning, a hope for a better life (The Little Dollarʼs Christmas Journey, Little Willʼs Message). In my view, the most touching story was When the Letter Came. It was amazing to see how the lack of better perspectives in life leads to suicide even if we have to deal with intelligent persons such this inventor. Even if he was a genius in his field of action, exagerated poverty and hunger destroyed all his noble dreams is spite of his apparent confidence: "To-morrow it will surely come, and then I shall have money. Soon I shall be rich, richer than you can think." It seems that tomorrow is not related to any temporal dimension but to the idea of hope. It is rather a prescribed formula that embodies the characterʼs wishes.

I totally agree with you. Children are a product of the environment...No child is born to be bad, they are molded by the society they are in, by the people who they get in contact with, and who are supposed to be their models in life...But, if the "pattern" is bad, how is supposed to be the new "material"???...Nowhere is only milk and honey,and America,the Promised Land, is no exception... Children should be taught to fight for their dreams and always hope for better...