The characters of Tom and Edward are doppelgängers. Their many similarities throw their drastically different situations into stark relief. Have students use storyboards to compare and contrast the two boys. By identifying their similarities and differences, students will enter deeper into character analysis. Start with a three-column T-chart and have students choose categories to compare. These may include education, appearance, home, personality, family, or others. For each category, students should find a similarity to depict in the center column and individual differences to depict in the outside columns. The storyboard above provides an example.
| Tom Canty | Both Boys | Edward VI |
|---|---|---|
| Home | ||
| Tom lives in Offal Court, a dilapidated section of London filled with poverty and crime. | Both boys live in or near London, England. | Edward lives in luxury in Westminster Palace. |
| Education | ||
| Tom receives informal lessons from an old priest who lives in Offal Court. Tom has limited access to books, but learns to read English and a little Latin. | Both boys are intelligent and enjoy learning. They use their education to make wise and fair decisions. | Edward is taught many subjects, including Latin, Greek, and French. He has several tutors and takes his lessons in the comfortable rooms of the palace. |
| Appearance | ||
| Tom owns only a single, ragged outfit that he wears at all times. | Aside from their clothes, the boys look nearly identical. They are doppelgängers of the same age, height, and coloring. No one can tell them apart. | Edward wears regal robes of costly fabrics. He has many different suits of clothing for various occasions and is carefully dressed each morning in an elaborate ceremony. |
| Personality | ||
| Tom is meek and dreamy. He gets through his days as a pauper by dreaming about royalty and accepting beatings from his father and grandmother without complaint. In the castle, he shows eager obedience to the prince and is at first very timid in the castle. | Both boys are kind-hearted and merciful. They make similar decisions as king, trying to enact justice and end cruelty. | Due to his royal upbringing, Edward is confident and commanding. Even when confronted by dangerous men who are bigger and stronger than he is, he refuses to obey their commands. |
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting the doppelgängers in The Prince and the Pauper.
Engage students in a role-playing exercise by assigning each one a character from The Prince and the Pauper. The 'hot seat' student answers classmates' questions in character, encouraging critical thinking and empathy as they explore perspectives beyond surface details.
Ask students to create questions that reveal motivations, feelings, and experiences for both Tom and Edward. This step helps students move beyond basic facts and encourages deeper understanding of the characters’ choices and challenges.
Divide students into small groups, ensuring each group has a 'Tom,' an 'Edward,' and interviewers. Explain expectations for listening, taking turns, and staying in character to foster a safe and focused classroom environment.
Guide the activity by having interviewers ask their questions while 'Tom' and 'Edward' respond in character. Afterward, lead a class discussion on what new insights students gained about the characters’ similarities and differences.
To help students compare and contrast Tom and Edward, use a three-column T-chart or storyboard. Have students select categories like home, education, appearance, and personality, then identify similarities in the center and unique traits for each boy on the sides. Illustrate with scenes and examples for deeper analysis.
Tom and Edward are physically identical doppelgängers, both intelligent and kind-hearted. However, Tom is poor, lives in Offal Court, and has a humble education, while Edward is a prince with royal tutors and a luxurious life. Their unique backgrounds shape their personalities and experiences.
Students should consider comparing home, education, appearance, personality, and family. Other options include dreams, challenges, or social status. These categories help identify both shared traits and unique differences.
Start with a brief character overview, then guide students to complete a T-chart or storyboard comparing Tom and Edward. Assign categories, discuss examples, and have students illustrate their findings. Wrap up with a class discussion or presentation for reflection.
Storyboards help students visualize similarities and differences between characters, making abstract analysis more concrete. Visual elements engage learners, aid memory, and encourage creativity, leading to deeper understanding and retention.