What’s In A Name?

            As one might expect, the self-titled novella, Pudd’nhead Wilson, suggests that that man himself is an idiot but important, as he would be the protagonist. On the contrary, when Wilson is first described, we are introduced to a “…homely…young fellow, with an intelligent blue eye that had frankness and comradeship in it and a covert twinkle of a pleasant sort,” (58-59). One might presume this could actually be a promising young man with every hope of becoming a competent and respectable citizen of Dawson’s Landing. But just as quickly as he gains favor among his new gentlemanly acquaintances, he loses his credibility just as fast by the power of one single “fatal remark” that he makes, which brands him with the undignified nickname “Pudd’nhead Wilson.” In the text, Twain emphasizes their deadpan and self-righteous reaction to his “fatal remark” with one of the spectator’s line, “perfect jackass – yes, and it ain’t going too far to say he is a puddn’head. If he ain’t a pudd’nhead, I ain’t no judge, that’s all,” (60).

Despite Wilson’s now tainted reputation, Twain’s genius lies in the subtle implication that these proper gentlemen have every capability to understand the true essence of Wilson’s “fatal remark” and still take it literally. Ironically, they entirely miss the humor and savvy of this young man’s comment and because of it, are responsible for ruining his future with them – demonstrating that they might not be as sharp as they assert themselves to be. Twain reaffirms this hint of Wilson’s intellectual wit throughout the entire story using the eccentric, calendar quotes that often foreshadow the events of each chapter. Even before introducing Wilson at all – Twain opens the book using the quote:

There is no character, howsoever good and fine, but it can be destroyed by ridicule, howsoever poor and witless. Observe the ass, for instance: his character is about perfect, he is the choicest spirit among all the humbler animals, yet see what ridicule has brought him to. Instead of feeling complimented when we are called an ass, we are left in doubt. (55)

This suggests that the no matter who you are – you are subject to the pitfalls of slander and public opinion, which is precisely what Wilson experiences yet seemingly demonstrates great humility nonetheless - “…with Scotch patience and pluck he resolved to lived down his reputation and work his way into the legal field yet. Poor fellow, he could not foresee that it was going to take him such a weary long time to do it,” (61).

            Thus, this leaves us to question that if we are all vulnerable to the repercussions of ridicule, what makes Pudd’nhead stand apart? Would we have felt the same respect and empathy for him if he hadn’t been deemed Pudd’nhead? Would his court case achievement have carried the same satirical message if he hadn’t been known as ‘Pudd’nhead’ all along?  

Works Cited
Twain, Mark. Pudd'nhead Wilson ; And, Those Extraordinary Twins. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1986. Print.