The Prince and the Pauper: Summary 1. Discuss the significance of the title. The title of this book is important because it gives a reference on what the book is about. The Prince and the Pauper is about the Prince of Wales and a pauper changing identities with each other. 2. State a trait of the character in the book; then discuss an incident that reveals that trait. The pauper, Tom Canty is a poor boy who steels money and other things to live with his father and mother in a very poor part of London. John Canty, Tom's father told him if he didn't come home with food and chillings he would get whipped. So Tom went out and stole the coins but got caught by a guard.