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 a