Kraljević i prosjak

The Prince and the Pauper is a historical adventure novel by Mark Twain set in 16th-century England. The protagonists are two boys born on the same day who look almost identical but come from vastly different social backgrounds. Tom Canty is a poor boy growing up in the squalor of London’s Offal Court who dreams of life at the royal court, while Edward Tudor—the son of King Henry VIII—is the heir to the English throne.

After a chance encounter, the boys swap clothes for fun. Due to their striking resemblance, no one believes their explanations; consequently, Tom remains at court, where he is mistaken for the prince, while Edward ends up on the streets and experiences the lives of society's poorest classes. Tom must adapt to the strict rules of the court and the responsibilities of a future ruler, while Edward directly encounters hunger, violence, unjust laws, and cruelty toward ordinary people. Miles Hendon, a nobleman who offers him protection and friendship, plays a key role in his journey.

This exchange of identities allows Twain to use a suspenseful and witty adventure to illustrate the vast social divide between the rich and the poor, while also criticizing injustice, the arbitrary exercise of power, and inhumane laws. When Edward finally proves his true identity and ascends the throne, the experiences he gained among the poor shape his attitude toward his subjects. The novel thus speaks of friendship, justice, compassion, and the responsibility of those in power, demonstrating that a person's worth is not defined by their background, clothing, or social standing.