It is a complicated task to identify specific moral lessons in Mark Twain's novel The Prince and the Pauper, as the work was intended as a satirical work instead of a moral tale. However, in looking at the things Twain chooses to satirize, there are some moral lessons that can be extracted from the text.

The lesson both boys learn over the course of their adventures is that poverty and royalty each come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Though they both originally envy the life of the other, they come to appreciate the things in their own life that they have taken for granted. Edward misses the luxuries of life in the palace and the respect he is afforded as a member of the nobility. Tom misses the freedom he had as a pauper and the lack of responsibility for those other than himself. The moral lesson that could be taken away from this is that there are always things in life that we will be discontent with but that there are also advantages and things taken for granted in any position in society.

Another lesson one could take away from the novel is that people's merit is not reflected by their class. In some societies, there is a view that the lower one's class, the less one's value as a person. However, Twain points out the fallacy in this assumption by presenting characters of every class that demonstrate kindness and generosity, such as Tom and Miles Hendon, while also presenting characters of every class that demonstrate greed and cruelty, such as John Canty and Hugh Hendon.

I think different readers will see different moral lessons from Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper. Various readers will see different lessons because of individual backgrounds, but I do believe the book portrays some universal morals to readers.

One moral lesson of the book is not to make initial snap judgments about people based on rudimentary, surface-level knowledge. The phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" is a good synopsis for this concept. Both Tom and Edward believe the other boy is a certain way and has certain advantages, but after they switch places, both boys realize their initial notions were incorrect. This kind of moral lesson shouldn't only be applied to socioeconomic status, either. It could be applied to religions, ethnicities, and political affiliations.

Another moral lesson found in the book is the same moral lesson Spiderman's uncle teaches him. Peter Parker's uncle famously told Peter Parker, "With great power comes great responsibility." That's exactly what Edward learns over the course of the novel. Between Edward and Tom, Edward is the more dynamic character because he changes from being rude, obnoxious, and selfish into being much more selfless and humble. Once he finally gets his original place back, he uses his power for good instead of selfish gain.

Mark Twain himself would probably have been quite uncomfortable about the notion of drawing simplistic moral lessons from the story. In certain ways, this work satirizes concepts of both the inherent nobility of the poor and of the rich, and avoids sentimentalizing both class and childhood. Instead, both young boys, like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, are a mix of good and bad, acting out of both kindness and self-interest.

One point the book does make is that much of how people regard us depends on our situation in life; Twain is frankly egalitarian in his social vision, deflating the notion of the superiority of the British aristocracy. 

Another major moral theme is one we see in the coming of age of Edward, who as he matures, sees that being a king is not just a matter of having power and privilege but also of assuming responsibilities and obligations. 

Mark Twain's The Prince and The Pauper tells a story of Edward (Eddie) Tudor and Tom Canty. During the story, the boys trade clothes in order to escape from their own lives. Each boy learns an important lesson during his life as another person.

There are multiple lessons (or morals) which can be learned by reading the novel. First, one must never judge a book by its cover. Each boy has his own thoughts about who the other is. By walking in the shoes of the other, each learn that their life is not what they made it out to be.

Another moral lesson of the novel speaks to is to never abuse one's power. Since the novel possesses one point of view from the elite, the novel illustrates that power should never be abused.

One last moral of the novel illustrates the fact that there are both good and bad in everyone's life. "We" must accept our lives for what they are and make the most of them. "We" cannot allow our coveting of another to rule life.

What lessons do Edward and Tom learn in the Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain?

I think that some of the lessons learned by Edward and Tom are moral lessons.  

I believe that one lesson that both boys learn is to not make immediate, snap judgments based on only outward appearance.  In other words, they learn that it's unwise to "judge a book by its cover."  Both Tom and Edward make initial assumptions about the other person and the life that he lives.  Both boys initially assume that the other person has certain advantages.  They each believe that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.  That's why the idea of changing places is so appealing.  

"Oho, wouldst like it? Then so shall it be. Doff thy rags, and don these splendors, lad! It is a brief happiness, but will be not less keen for that. We will have it while we may, and change again before any come to molest."

However, after switching places, both boys realize that their initial thoughts were erroneous.  They have learned that each of their lives come with both advantages and disadvantages.  

I believe that another lesson both boys learn is a lesson about power and responsibility.  Throughout the novel, Edward is bombarded with the injustices created by his father.  As he matures, Edward realizes that his royal position can be used for more than selfish gain.  He realizes that he can use his position to help other people.  He learns the same lesson that Peter Parker's uncle tried to teach Peter -- "With great power comes great responsibility."  

The king was cheerful and happy now, and said to himself, "When I am come to mine own again, I will always honor little children, remembering how that these trusted me and believed in me in my time of trouble; whilst they that were older, and thought themselves wiser, mocked at me and held me for a liar."

What lessons do Edward and Tom learn in the Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain?

In the “Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain, the boys learn universal life lessons. Prince Edward VI, Eddie, rescues a pauper child named Tom Canty. The two boys trade places in life when the Prince decides that he wants a taste of freedom. What the Prince receives is a lesson on how his father’s subjects live when they are poor. He learns how harsh the laws of the kingdom can be and how it is to live in poverty with an abusive father.

On the other hand, Tom Canty learns how to live like a prince. At first, he does not like his new situation since he is ignorant to the lifestyle, but he later changes his mind. He learns that in time he would be able to influence lives by modifying laws.

Both boys learn to respect themselves and to show compassion for others from different classes. In addition, they find to value their own situation. One might say the moral is that “the grass is not always green on the other side of the fence” or “life is what you perceive it to be.” The most important lesson is that social injustice exists and it can be changed by working in a unified matter to procure change.