English 1001—Great American Authors

Discussion Questions for Mark Twain's Pudd'nhead Wilson, pp. 47-91.

  1. What is so appealing about the Italian twins? Why is the town so fascinated by them?

  2. Describe riverboat life as Twain presents it in this section.

  3. In the time of slavery, was it possible to be white and also to be a slave? How does Twain answer this question in the story?

  4. How does Roxy overcome her son's initial hostility toward her in this section?

  5. What causes the townspeople to wonder about Tom after Roxy's revealing conversation with him?

  6. What is the difference between a slave and free person?

  7. What is palmistry, and how do the different characters regard the powers of this science to reveal the past or the future?


John D. Schwetman
January 19, 2001