Chapter 11

Summary
Tom and Luigi are having a discussion with Puddnhead Wilson. Wilson decides that he needs to
take Toms fingerprints again. Tom agrees but tells Wilson that it wont make a difference
because twins fingerprints are identical. They go on to talk about palmistry. This is essentially
fortune telling. Luigi talks about how he had his palms read once and since then, many of the
predictions have come true. Tom asks Wilson to read Luigis palms. Wilson admits he is no
expert at palm reading but will try anyway. Tom makes Luigi write down the most striking
event that was predicted before on a piece of paper so they can see if Wilson got it right. As
Wilson reads Luigis palms, he gets a number or predictions correct (they arent stated). Wilson
then discovers something but is hesitant to bring it up. Luigi tells him to do it. Wilson writes it
down on paper. He predicts that Luigi has killed someone (doesnt know if it is man woman or
child). He is right. Tom is amazed. Angelo says Luigi killed to save his life (Angelos life).
Angelo goes into great detail describing the knife used to kill. He even had Luigis name and
coat of arms engraved on it.
Wilson also wants to read Toms hands. Tom refuses. He says he doesnt need his palms read
because he isnt a murderer.
Shortly after, a man named John Buckstone comes and invites the twins to a pro alcohol meeting.
Tom tags along with Luigi and Angelo uninvited. Once at the meeting Luigi and Angelo are
accepted as members of the group and told to drink. Luigi drinks but Angelo doesnt. Upon
discovering that Angelo does not drink, the chairman of the group makes a well received apology
to the crowd. Tom gets drunk. Tom insults the twins. Luigi gets mad and kicks Tom. He is
launched into the crown and a riot starts. During the riot a fire starts. The crowd rushes out of the
room and the fire department comes and puts the fire out.
Character Analysis
Tom: In this chapter we can see that Toms attitude and behavior hasnt changed much
even though he knows that his mom is Roxy. Toms secrets are also bound to be found
out by Pudd'nhead Wilson, since his fingerprints and palm are a big indicator and tool to
find out the truth. Toms character towards the end of the chapter shows that he is causing
many problems within the small town that he lives in. Knowing that he is black doesnt
affect his everyday life, and he continues to be obnoxious and careless.
Luigi and Angelo: The twins in this chapter are revealing details about their own lives.
The palm reading that Puddnhead Wilson gave to Luigi just opened the door for the
twins to share their exciting and exoctic stories that the town citizens love. We also learn
more about Luigi and his personality through his actions at the pro alcohol meeting.
Meaningful quotes:
Angelo thought he had a good eye; Luigi thought there was something sly about it. (85)
on Tom Driscoll
Angelo thought he was a sufficiently nice young man; Luigi reserved his dicision. (85)
on Tom Driscoll
Wilsons a lawyer, gentlemen, but he doesnt practice now. (85) Tom Driscoll

I cant get a hold of a set of books to untangle as often as I should like. (86) Wilson
Why a mans own hands is his deadliest enemy! a mans own hand keeps a record of
the deepest and fatalist secrets of his life, and is treacherously ready to expose him to any
black-magic stranger that comes along. (90)
I killed the man for good reasons, and I dont regret it. (90)
He did it to save my life, thats why he did it for. So it was a noble act, and not a thing to
be hid in the dark. (90)
Now, Tom, Ive never had a look at your palms, as it happens; perhaps youve got some
little questionable privacies that need - hel-lo! (91)

Setting, Allusions, Motifs...etc

Visual Imagery: Suddenly that native rose at the bedside, and bent me over with his right hand
lifted and a dirk in it aimed at my throat, but luigi grabbed his wrist, pulled him downward and
drove his own knife into the mans neck. When Angelo explains the homicide in complete detail
to Wilson that shows a distinctive topic.
Discussion Questions
What is the purpose of the readers knowing that Luigi killed someone?
Why do you think Tom was really so hesitant about having his palms read?

Chapter 12
Summary
Judge Driscoll and Pembroke Howard go fishing. The Driscoll and Howard families were from
Old Virginia, which is considered to be a form of nobility. Driscoll and Howard were easily the
two most important people in Dawsons Landing. Driscoll is a free thinker while Howard is a
Presbyterian. While floating on the river, Howard tells Driscoll that one of the new twins beat up
Tom. Driscoll is shocked. He gets really angry. Howard also tells him that Tom pressed charges
for assault and battery and won. Driscoll passes out. Howard revives him with water. Driscoll is
in denial.
Later that night, Driscoll, Howard, and Tom discuss what happened. After hearing Tom confirms
what happened, the judge bursts out in anger. Judge tells Tom that he has to fight Luigi. Tom
doesnt want to. He is scared. Judge calls Tom a coward. Judge once again, disinherit(s) Tom.
Tom sulks. He wonders if there is anything he can do to make his uncle proud again. Tom
decides he needs to stop gambling and pay off his debt.
Character Analysis
Judge Driscoll: Judge Driscoll is protecting his family name because of honor and pride. When
Luigi kicked Tom, that evoked anger and embarrassment which resulted in Judge Driscolls pride
to be hurt. He immediately wants Tom to fight with the twins in order to restore the family name.
However, he fails to see that Tom is his nephew and that he will get hurt if he decides to fight
with Luigi and Angelo. To Judge Driscoll the family name is more important than his own
nephew's life. Also his actions are ironic since he is a judge and he should be using the justice
system to handle this type of situation, but he would rather use violence over the law.
Meaningful quotes:
COURAGE is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear. -Puddnhead
Wilsons Calendar
The F.F.V. was born a gentleman; his highest duty in life was to watch over that great
inheritance and keep it unsmirched. He must keep his honor spotless. (96)
These laws required certain things of him which his religion might forbid: then his
religion must yield - the laws could not be relaxed to accommodate religions or anything
else. (96)
They were men whose opinions were their own property and not subject to revision and
amendment, suggestion or criticism, by anybody, even their friends. (97)
Setting, Allusions, Motifs...etc
Howard smiled an iron smile, and nodded his head approvingly. Literary trope
The old man shrank suddenly together like one who had received a death-stroke. Literary trope
Discussion Questions
Why do you believe that the family name is so important to Judge Driscoll?
Is it ironic that judge Driscoll would promote physical violence over a civil trial in court?

Chapter 13
Summary
Tom visits Puddnhead Wilson. Wilson had always been open and comforting to Tom. Tom tells
Wilson how the judge wants him to challenge Luigi and how he doesnt want to do it. Wilson
wonders why Driscoll didnt stop the trial. Tom tells him its because he was asleep. Wilson is
ashamed of Tom for not telling Driscoll about what happened that night. He thinks it is
disrespectful to cut Driscoll out of the situation. He thinks it would have been best to tell Driscoll
instead of going to court and letting him decide what to do. Wilson calls Tom a degenerate and
dishonorable. He also restates how ashamed he is.
The two switch topics to recent thefts that have occurred. Tom pretends that some things have
been stolen from him as well. Shortly after this, Justice Robinson, the constable, and John
Buckstone arrive. Wilson tells them about how there are even more thefts happening. The
constable tells Wilson about how they suspect a woman who has been acting odd recently. He
says that she was seen going into and out of houses that were reported as being robbed shortly
after she was seen. Wilson then tells them that Luigis fancy dagger has been stolen. He says the
thief wont be able to sell it because she will get caught if she does. There is a 500 dollar reward
for the knife. Tom panics knowing that without the dagger, he wont be able to pay off his debt.
Shortly after this, it is revealed that Robinson, Buckstone, and the constable had come to tell
Wilson to run for mayor. Wilson accepts.
Character Analysis
Puddnhead Wilson: In this chapter we can see how smart Puddnhead Wilson is. He
comes up with such a smart plan to try and catch the thief that has been stealing goods
from individuals houses. However we can also see that Puddnhead Wilsons intelligence
has its limits, and this is proven because he fails to realize that Tom is the culprit of all of
the thefts that have been happening in town.
Tom: In this chapter Tom goes and tries to find comfort from talking to Puddnhead
Wilson, however instead of comfort Puddnhead tells him that he should have told his
Uncle about the situation that has happened between him and the twins. In this chapter
we can also see how Toms secrets are starting to appear in front of peoples eyes, but for
now he is still smart enough to hide them away from Puddnhead Wilson.
Meaningful quotes:
This would do; others made him feel unwelcome sometimes, but Wilson never failed in
courtesy toward him, and a kindly courtesy does at least save ones feelings, even if it is
not professing to stand for a welcome, (100)
Why, my boy, you look desolate. Don;t take it so hard. Try and forget you have been
kicked.
Puddnhead Wilson, I think youre the biggest fool I ever saw. (102)
... because lost things stand a better chance of being found again than stolen ones. (102)

Setting, Allusions, Motifs...etc

He was on the inhabited side of Wilsons house and now as he approached it he noticed
that the sitting room light was on(132). This symbolizes that Wilson is a very open
individual and will help anyone when they need it. The light will always be on.
What a leather headed idea(167). Literary trope
Discussion Questions
Out of all people why do you think Tom finds Puddnhead Wilson for comfort?