1. The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson
Published in 1894
Set in the fictional town of Dawson’s Landing, Missouri in the early part of the 19th century (early 1800s)
Set before the abolishment of slavery
A slave and the heir to a fortune switched at birth; Italian twins; an exciting courtroom scene; and, CSI style fingerprinting used to solve a crime!

2. Pudd’nhead Wilson: Literary Terms and Devices
Colloquialism The use of informal words, phrases or even slang in a piece of writing. The purpose: Writers use colloquialism to give their works a sense of realism. For instance, in a fiction story depicting American society, a greeting “what’s up?” between friends will seem more real and appropriate than the formal “How are you?” and “How do you do?”

3. Setting
The historical moment in time and geographic location in which a story takes place, and helps initiate the main backdrop and mood for a story.
The setting of the novel is the fictional town of Dawson's Landing, Missouri during the early 19th century (before slavery was abolished in 1865) on the Mississippi River. The town is fictional but based off of Twain’s childhood home of Hannibal, Missouri.

4. Satire
The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices.
Twain satirizes the Southern aristocracy, racism, slavery and human nature.
Twain satirized his society for not seeing people as individuals with rights if they have even a hint of African American heritage in their family history. In the novel, “good” white people hurt and enslave those who are different without fear of punishment.

5. Realism
Realism - a literary movement that attempts to describe life without idealization or romanticism. Realists mainly focused on middle-class characters in their everyday lives.
Specific Characteristics:
Faithful representation of life
Concentrating on middle-class life
Scenes of humble life
Criticism of social conditions
Characters are of main interest as opposed to a plot
Honest, matter-of-fact style

6. Irony
Verbal Irony - the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect (sarcasm!)
Situational Irony - an event that seems contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.
Dramatic Irony - the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.