The central action that drives every event in the novel Puddn’head Wilson comes from the switching of the two babies by Roxy. The only reason that the babies could be switched without anyone noticing is because of how similar the two babies looked. Despite their appearance, one boy is considered black and one is considered white. The point Twain was trying to drive home is that there is little that seperates people who are black and white. The two boys only look alike for the novel to make sense logically, had Chambers looked more black but had been switched anyways he still would’ve ended up the same way. He’s trying to say that people are not products of their race as much as the way they grow up. My interpretation of Twain’s writing leads me to believe that all races are equal but that Collins’ (or the fake Tom I guess) plight was due to the faults in his upbringing and his personality. He may have simply been born an arrogant and selfish person but his life of luxury definitely helped nurture his faults. The real Tom on the other hand has become a meek slave who cannot handle having his birthright thrust upon him. He may have been destined to live Collins’ life due to being white, but he can’t handle it due to his life up to that moment. His experiences had molded him into something else, even if his race had dictated he take his birthright.
Aidan Lee-Gilligan
Great American Novels 2020 