In Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain, the story of two boys, who were switched at early childhood, is told. One of these boys, Tom Driscoll, displays many characteristics in the novel. Tom shows how he is rude and a liar, but he also exhibits his ability to change his ways.

From his childhood to his later years, it was evident that Tom Driscoll was a rude character. For example, during his childhood, Tom and Chambers (the boy with whom Tom was switched with and who was also Tom's slave) always went an "played" together. On such instance was when they went swimming with Tom's friends and were diving off of canoes. Chambers was an excellent diver, however, Tom could not dive for it gave him splitting headaches. And for this reason (Chambers could do something that Tom could not do), Tom pushed the canoe under Chambers as he was in a mid-air dive. The result was that Chambers was unconscious and Tom's spirit was gratified. Later on, when they were about fifteen, the boys were swimming in the river as usual, Tom fell ill to a cramp in the water and Chambers saved his life. Instead

Although Tom Driscoll had many evil traits, he was able to change his views and actions. However, this was limited only to the stimuli that he deemed important or that touched him deeply. A major event that changed his view on African-American slaves was when Roxana (his biological mother) told him that she was his mother. This was apparent when Tom stated "And why is this awful difference made between white and black? ... How hard the nigger's fate seems, this morning! -yet until last night such a thought never entered my head." (53). This also affected his daily actions. For example, when greeting a person, his arm hung limp "instead of involuntarily extending the hand for a shake" for it was the "nigger" in him that caused him to do so (54). Moreover, Tom Driscoll was able to put his gambling habit on hold until he deemed fit. This was necessary because he was in debt and his uncle disinherited him from his will. Tom Driscoll stated "... I'll never touch another card again. Anyway, I won't while he [his uncle] lives, I make an oath to that." (75).

Not only was Tom Driscoll rude in the way he carried himsel

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Approximate Word count = 763
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)