When analyzing Pudd’nhead
Wilson by Mark Twain there are a plethora of underlying themes one can
examine; whether it be the search for identity or the need to hold pride,
honor, and reputation in southern society.
The theme I am going to focus on is nurture versus nature. What determines a person’s character is it
their surrounding environment and upbringing, or is it already programmed in
our genes.
The struggle between nurture
versus nature is seen in the character of Tom Driscoll. Tom was born to Roxy, who was a slave, but
Roxy switched Tom and Chambers at birth.
As a result, Tom grew up a spoiled kid and matured into a dishonest, betraying,
unlawful adult. What made Tom such a
horrid individual? Was it inherently “black”
qualities given to him by his mother, or was it a product of his spoiled
upbringing. The American South at the
time would agree with the former theory.
Roxy, his mother, even goes as far to say Tom’s cowardness is a product
of his African American culture. Twain
reinforces the stereotype of Tom being a coward when Tom finds out he is an
African American, his actions become more scared and everyone takes
notice. The opposite view can be said as
well. Tom grew up having every need met,
giving him a sense of entitlement and reinforcing bad, dangerous habits, such
as gambling.
I believe Twain takes
the nurture view. For example, acts of
theft by slaves are justified as being a sign of rebellion against their
owners. When Chambers is freed he is
lost in society as a free man, but if it is nature that determines a person’s
character, Chambers would have no problem assimilating into society. Chambers is also really nice and caring
towards Roxy offering her a stipend, something Tom’s upbringing and sense of
entitlement would not allow him to do.
I agree with your argument that the story takes after the nurture side of the nature vs. nurture. Although, the part of the story when Tom learns that his mother switched him at birth, he feels as if he cant fit into the white society any longer because he has African American blood in him. I would argue that this is because of nature due to the fact that he learned where his true ancestors are. I also pose the question of why do you think that Chambers, or real Tom, continued to pay Roxy the money at the end of the story after she made his life hell by making him a slave for most of his life?
ReplyDeleteI think what you are saying speaks to how ridiculous the "one drop rule" was and the point Twain is trying to make about identity and the difference between internal and external identities. I like the point you make about Roxy and how she too believes that the drop of African American blood in Tom makes him a "coward" because it speaks to the fact that because those who held the power felt this way, they forced this mentality onto their slaves- reinforcing the culture of slavery. I disagree with what you said about Chambers having no problem integrating into society- in fact I think Twain points out just how difficult it was for Chambers- for his sense identity was completely overturned as well.
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ReplyDeleteOverall, I reach a similar conclusion regarding Twain's preference for nurture over nature. That said, I do not believe that Mark Twain threw the "nature" argument completely out the window. Mark Twain specifically stated that Tom became the monster that he was partly due to an inherently unsavory side, writing that " 'Tom' was a bad baby, from the very beginning of his usurpation" (Twain 75). Evidently Tom was already a naughty boy even before Roxy's overly doting parenting could have had a meaningful impact. Such a toxic combination then created the toxic individual of adult Tom.
ReplyDeleteAttempting to answer your question Trevor, one could make the argument that Chamber's decision to continue funding Roxy following the familial revelation was due to his nature. Just as Tom was clearly bad from the start, Chambers may very well have been by nature good. Obviously this is only speculation, as Mark Twain did not elaborate on Chambers' character especially, rather devoting attention to Tom.
Mark, Twain. "Pudd'nhead Wilson". Comp. Malcolm Bradbury. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1973. Print.