1. Contrast and Juxtaposition:
* Social Class: The entire story is built on the stark contrast between the life of the prince, living in luxury and privilege, and the life of the pauper, facing poverty and hardship. This is a central theme, highlighting the stark differences in their experiences.
* Appearance and Reality: The physical resemblance of the prince and pauper is used to juxtapose their outward appearance with their actual social status. The pauper, who appears like the prince, is treated with the prince's privileges, and the prince, who appears like a pauper, experiences the harsh realities of poverty.
* Innocence and Experience: The prince's naivete and the pauper's street smarts create a fascinating juxtaposition, as they navigate their newfound situations.
2. Irony:
* Situational Irony: The irony lies in the fact that the prince, who should be enjoying a privileged life, is forced to endure the hardships of the poor, while the pauper, who should be struggling, experiences the pleasures of royalty.
* Dramatic Irony: The reader is aware of the true identities of the characters while they are unaware of their own. This creates suspense and adds to the reader's engagement.
3. Symbolism:
* Clothing: The change of clothing serves as a powerful symbol of the change in identity and social status. The prince's fine clothes represent his royalty, while the pauper's rags symbolize his poverty.
* Names: The names "Edward" (the prince) and "Tom" (the pauper) represent their contrasting social positions.
* The Palace: The palace itself becomes a symbol of power, privilege, and the limitations imposed by societal structure.
4. Foreshadowing:
* The King's Illness: The King's failing health foreshadows the possibility of a power vacuum and the potential for chaos.
* The Pauper's Observation: Tom's initial observation that the prince looks like him foreshadows the central conflict of the story.
5. Other Devices:
* Personification: The city of London is often personified, giving it a sense of life and character.
* Metaphor: Twain uses metaphors to convey complex ideas, for example, comparing the city to a "great beast" to emphasize its size and power.
* Hyperbole: Twain employs exaggeration to create humor and emphasize certain points, like describing the palace as "a palace of gold."
These are just a few of the literary devices used in "The Prince and the Pauper." Twain masterfully weaves these elements together to create a thought-provoking and entertaining story that explores themes of identity, social class, and the nature of power.