Chapter VI. Tom receives instructions. Practice Quiz — The Prince and the Pauper
by Mark Twain — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: Chapter VI. Tom receives instructions.
Who whispers instructions to Tom about courtly behavior at the beginning of Chapter 6?
The Earl of Hertford, Tom's "uncle," who tells him it is not proper for noblemen to sit in the prince's presence.
What message does Lord St. John deliver from the King?
The King commands that Tom must hide his madness, deny to no one that he is the true prince, accept all royal reverence, stop speaking of his lowly origins, and rely on Hertford and St. John for guidance.
How does Tom respond to the King's command?
Tom replies resignedly, "The King hath said it. None may palter with the King's command, or fit it to his ease, where it doth chafe, with deft evasions. The King shall be obeyed."
Which two young ladies visit Tom during the chapter?
The Lady Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth I) and the Lady Jane Grey.
What does Lady Jane Grey do that nearly exposes Tom?
She fires a simple Greek phrase at him, which the real prince would have known. Tom's face goes serenely blank, revealing he does not understand it.
How does Princess Elizabeth save Tom from the Greek phrase incident?
She delivers a return volley of Greek on Tom's behalf and then smoothly changes the subject to other matters.
What slip does Tom make about his father?
When Jane praises his father's learning, Tom blurts out that his father can barely speak his own language and the only ones who understand him are "the swine that kennel in the styes"—accidentally referring to his real father, John Canty.
How does Tom recover after insulting the King?
After seeing St. John's warning look, Tom stops and says his malady is persecuting him again and his mind has wandered, claiming he meant no irreverence to the King.
What comforting words does Elizabeth say to Tom after his slip?
"Trouble not thyself as to that. The fault is none of thine, but thy distemper's."
What metaphor does Twain use to describe Hertford and St. John's role during Tom's visit with the ladies?
They are compared to pilots "steering a great ship through a dangerous channel," constantly on alert and finding their office no child's play.
Who is Lord Guilford Dudley, and what happens when he arrives?
Lord Guilford Dudley is announced as a visitor, but Hertford and St. John advise Tom to excuse himself. Lady Jane Grey shows slight disappointment when the "splendid stripling" is denied admittance.
What social custom does Tom not understand when Elizabeth and Jane prepare to leave?
Tom does not realize they need his formal permission to depart. Elizabeth rescues the awkward moment by asking, "Have we leave of the prince's grace my brother to go?"
What private thought does Tom have about his own courtly speech?
He thinks, "'Tis not for nought I have dwelt but among princes in my reading, and taught my tongue some slight trick of their broidered and gracious speech withal!"
What happens when Tom tries to serve himself in his private chamber?
Every time he tries to do something for himself—drink water, remove his shoes—a silk-and-velvet servant drops to one knee and does it for him. He mutters, "Beshrew me, but I marvel they do not require to breathe for me also!"
What specific doubts does Lord St. John raise about Tom's identity?
St. John notes that Tom's manner differs subtly from the prince's custom, that he has lost his Greek and French but kept his Latin, that he does not recognize the King's own face, and that he keeps saying he is not the prince.
How does Hertford respond to St. John's doubts?
He calls it treason and warns St. John to silence, reminding him of the King's command. He threatens that merely listening makes him party to the crime.
What story does Hertford tell to explain Tom's behavior?
He cites the old Baron Marley, who went mad and forgot his own face, claimed to be the son of Mary Magdalene, and believed his head was made of Spanish glass that might shatter if touched.
What is the key piece of ironic logic Hertford uses to convince himself Tom is the real prince?
He reasons that no impostor would deny being a prince when called one by the king, the court, and all—so Tom's denials prove he must be the true prince gone mad, not a fraud.
What theme does the King's command reinforce about identity in Tudor England?
It reinforces the theme that social identity is determined by title and appearance, not by truth. The command makes it structurally impossible for Tom to reveal who he really is, since anyone who might believe him is ordered to ignore his protests.
What is dramatic irony and how does it function in this chapter?
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something the characters do not. Here, readers know Tom is a pauper, but every character interprets his honest confusion as princely madness, creating tension and humor throughout the chapter.
What does the motif of clothing and appearance represent in this chapter?
Clothing represents how social status is assigned by outward markers rather than inner truth. Because Tom wears the prince's clothes and was found in the prince's chambers, no one can see past the costume to the real boy inside.
What historical detail does Twain incorporate through the characters of Elizabeth and Jane Grey?
Both are real historical figures: Lady Elizabeth later became Queen Elizabeth I, and Lady Jane Grey would briefly become queen before her execution. Their presence adds historical authenticity and poignancy to the fictional narrative.