Puddnhead Wilson: Study Guide Chapter 19

By Ashley Boyer, Minh Dang Nguyen, Damico Moon, Antonio Navarro

Chapter Summary: After Dawson Landing had an election, Wilson told Luigi to not fight the
judge because the judge would plan to kill Luigi and Angelo. So the Twins went for a night walk
for some exercise. Then one night later, Tom went to Judge Driscolls house and planned to steal
his uncles safe. When Tom sees the safe over the table, he accidently drops the knife sheath on
the floor which eventually wakes his uncle up and he cries for help. Tom used the knife he had
stolen from Luigi and stabs his uncle with it. After Tom hears his uncles dying breath, he grabs
the remaining money on the floor and escapes through his room. This leads to the twins arriving
to the Judges house and witness the poor judge covered in blood. Then Tom realized that
someone like Puddnhead Wilson will gather evidence about the mystery girl theory, so he
burned his woman costume in the haunted house and sails away to St louis the very next
morning. Then Tom saw a newspaper that talks about the murder of his uncle and eventually
sells the knife to have more money for himself and his mother Roxy. The Townsfolk in Dawson
Landings were in shock that the twins killed Judge Driscoll and decides to arrest them to be
place in trial for the court. Then Puddnhead Wilson thinks that the mystery girl could've killed
Judge Driscoll instead of the twins. Puddnhead Wilson starts to investigate the murder for
himself while Tom was pretending to feel sorry about his uncles death.
Character Analysis:
Count Luigi: After losing popularity the twins go out less and less and only at night to get
exercise when no one else would encounter them. Luigi discuss early in the Chapter how
ridiculous the lies of Tom are that the Judge Driscoll believes them.
Judge Driscoll: After finding out about the confession to Wilson, Driscoll uses this
evidence in his campaign against Count Luigi.
Puddn head Wilson: In the beginning of the chapter he expresses his distaste for
Driscolls Nephew that hes selfish but refuses to expect Tom of the murder, even though
he would be the closest one to the Judge He is committed to finding the veiled woman
or confederate although he has no evidence that she was tied to the murder or murder
weapon.
Tom: Comes to Hackett Stone in the night, unseen and carries out a plan to steal from
Driscolls safe, and cash-box. In the night and under a disguise as a woman murders
Driscoll flees the house leaving the one thing tying him to the crime, the stolen knife.
Tom is seen as acting appropriately mourning the loss of his uncle but he has a guilty
conscious.
Meaningful Quotes:
The Mysterious girl! The girl was great trial to Wilson. If the motive had been robbery,
the girl might answer; but there wasnt any girl that would want to take this old mans life
for revenge. He had no quarrels with girls; he was a gentleman.
Wilson refused to suspect Tom; for first, Tom couldnt murder anybody- he hadn't
character enough; secondly, if he could murder a person he wouldnt select his doting
benefactor and nearest relative
IT were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes
horse-races

Discuss:
What if Tom didnt kill his uncle and just asked him to borrow his money for Roxy?

Chapter 20
Summary
Luigi and Angelo are in jail. They have no visitors other than Aunt Patsy Cooper. Wilson is also
very sad because he cannot prove that the twins are innocent. In the negro section of the
courthouse, Chambers and Roxy are sitting. Roxy has her bill of sale with her. It is her most
valuable possession. Tom has been sending Roxy 35 dollars a month ever since he got rich.
Pembroke Howard says will prove that the twins are guilty. The courtroom agrees with
Pembroke as the prosecution continues. At the same time, people felt bad for Wilson because
they knew this case would hurt his career. Wilson asks the women who saw Tom leaving the
house dressed as a women to testify. He says that this suggests that the twins may not be guilty.
On that note the trial is over for the day.
Tom is happy that the trial is going in his favor. He is confident that the twins will be found
guilty. He is proud of himself for getting rid of all of the evidence. The more Tom thinks about
Wilson not being able to solve the case, the funnier Tom thinks it is. Tom decides that it will be a
good idea to watch Wilson fail at solving the case.
Wilson looks over all of the womens fingerprints for a long time. He finds nothing. Tom stops
by about an hour or so after Wilson starts working. Wilson admits he doesnt think he will win
but reaffirms his belief that the twins are innocent. Tom restates his dislike for the twins.
Tom picks up the glass of Roxys fingerprints and asks about some imperfections on the print.
Wilson takes a look at the print when he is shocked by something that he sees. Tom asks him
whats wrong. Wilson just says hes tired. Tom leaves.
Wilson compares Toms fingerprints to older versions Toms prints and they match. They also
match the prints found on the crime scene. However, upon looking at prints from Toms youth as
a baby, the prints do not match. Wilson is confused, he goes to sleep. He has a dream and wakes
up quickly to check the fingerprints again. Wilson has made a big discovery.
Character Analysis
Tom: In this chapter we can see that Tom has no remorse or guilt for what he has done to Judge
Driscoll. Tom still feels confident and almighty with the trial occurring, since he believes that he
will never be caught for killing Judge Driscoll or for pretending to be the real Tom his whole life.
His overconfidence results him in making mistakes, which causes Puddnhead Wilson to figure
out the truth behind the murder and Tom and Chambers being switched at birth.
Puddnhead Wilson: In this chapter we can see Puddnhead Wilson putting aside his logical
perspective and opening up his mind to the possibility of Tom killing Judge Driscoll. Puddnhead
Wilson is a very factual and logical person, so it is hard for him to accept or even fathom that
Tom could commit such an act. After gaining Toms fingerprint again, he is able to find evidence
to prove that Tom is the murderer and that Chambers and Tom were switched at birth.

Meaningful Quotes
In parting with the twins Aunt Patsy did attempt at a good-night with a gay pretense of hope and
cheer in it, but broke down without finishing (144)
Absolutely secure as Tom considered himself to be, the opening solemnities of the trial had
nevertheless oppressed him with a vague uneasiness, his being a nature sensitive to even the
smallest alarms; but from the moment that the poverty and weakness of Wilsons case lay
exposed to the court, he was comfortable once more, even jubilant. (144)
This reflection set him to admiring, for the hundredth time, the shrewd ingenuities by which he
had insured himself against detection - more, against even suspicion. (144)
I didnt expect that, but I cant believe Luigi killed your uncle, and I feel very sorry for him. It
makes me blue. And you would feel as I do, Tom, if you were not prejudiced against those young
fellows (145)
All the blood sunk suddenly out of his face; his hand quaked, and he gazed at the polished
surface before him with the glassy stare of a corpse (145)
Setting, Allusion, Motifs, etc.
A prominent theme throughout the entire book has been honor and pride. And we can see this
throughout Tom in this chapter, since he feels so confident and prideful that he will never be
caught as the murder.
Discussion Questions
Did Toms character flaws help Puddnhead Wilson figure out the truth behind the murder?