Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Law in Mark Twain's Puddn'head Wilson
A number of characters in the novel are professionally involved with the law as a lawyer or judge. Other characters interact with the official legal system as witnesses, defendants, or a convicted criminal. What doe these incidents say about the legal system as a whole or its role in our lives?
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p5-8 in this chapter we find out that they twins work together. ones is a detective and the other is a assassian. They are trying to find out who is stealing all the valuables.
ReplyDeleteChapter 20
ReplyDelete"The weeks dragged along, no friend visiting the jailed twins but their counsel and Aunt Patsy Cooper, and the day of trial came at last - the heaviest day in Wilson's life; for with all his tireless diligence he had discovered no sign or trace of the missing confederate."
"The courthouse was crowded, of course, and would remain so to the finish, for not only in town itself, but in the country for miles around, the trial was the one topic of conversation among the people."
This sums up the law, which the twins had to go to court for their trial. The law states that you must go to a trial, therefore you can relate to this with the law. The law is a crucial thing.
P5-10
Conclusion
ReplyDelete"They rightly claimed that “Tom” was lawfully their property and had been so for eight years; that they had already lost sufficiently in being deprived of his services during that long period"
This has to do with the law because if the real Chambers had not been free, he would not have had the chance to kill judge Driscoll. They release Tom because of what the law which makes sense.
P6-11
Chapter 12
ReplyDeleteJudge Driscroll is overwhelmed that "Tom" pressed charges against the twin; because Luigi kicked him. Judge Driscroll challenged them to a duel. Luigi lost and fined Wilson.
The twins and "Tom" always seem to be getting in to trouble with the law.
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DeleteConclusion
ReplyDeletePercy Driscoll (Tom's father)'s estate is in deep debt, and only 60% of the debts can be repaid. As such, the creditors successfully convince the governor that "Tom" is property of the estate and should have been inventoried as such. The Governor agrees, and "Tom" is sold down the river.
This complicated logic reveals just how open to interpretation and manipulation the law is. Talking in circles and pointing fingers at anyone but you are key part of being in the legal business, after all.
P1-11
Chapter 11
ReplyDelete"I don't practice now, it is true. It is true that I have never had a case... But it is also true that I did myself well for the practice of the law.... I never got a chance to try my hand at it, and I may never get a chance; and yet if i do get it, I shall be found ready, for I have kept up my law studies all these years."
In chapter 11, it makes fun of the law because Tom is teasing Pudd'nhead Wilson about not ever having a case. Tom was making fun of the fact that even though Puddn'head Wilson never had a case, he still practiced the law.
P2-27
Chapter 16
ReplyDelete(page 96-97) “I do say it again, Mammy, and I’ll keep on saying it, too. But how am I going to sell you? You’re free, you know.”
in
“Much diff ’rence dat make! White folks ain’t partic’lar. De law kin sell me now if dey tell me to leave de state in six months en I don’t go. You draw up a paper—bill o’ sale—en put it ‘way off yonder you’ll sell me cheap ‘ca’se you’s hard up; you’ll find you ain’t gwine to have no trouble.
In chapter 16 it makes fun of the law saying even though Roxy is free you ca still draw up something up and still be able to put her back into slavery.
P2-13
correction ca---> can that what I meant.
Delete