Tom Canty in The Prince and the Pauper is a young man whose childhood was characterized by extreme poverty and abuse from his alcoholic father. Tom is relatively educated considering his class standing, because Father Andrew taught him how to read and write. Utilizing the characters and situations from the books he reads, Tom uses his imagination as a coping mechanism, inserting himself into these fantastical stories. He explores the castle grounds due to his curiosity about royalty, and it is when Prince Edward stops the guards from punishing him that the two realize their uncanny resemblance and decide to swap lives. When Tom switches places with Prince Edward, he proves himself to be a kind and merciful leader. At his coronation, before he switches back to his old life, he declares an end of the law of blood and promises mercy to his subjects. In general, Tom is characterized as intelligent, educated, imaginative, and empathetic.
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