6. Mark Twain Was Inspired by the Tocci Brothers to Write “Those Extraordinary Twins”
Mark Twain, the pen name of Samuel Clemens, was one of those rare voices in American history who could critique and satirize American culture in his stories while also recognizing his distinct place in it. His classics include Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; both considered primarily to be children’s stories but are replete with images and criticisms of American culture. When he saw a picture of Giacomo and Giovanni Tocci, who were on tour in the United States, he was inspired to write a story about conjoined twins.
His original intent was for them to be the main characters in Pudd’nhead Wilson, but he realized that the overall story was becoming tragic rather than farcical. Additionally, the side characters, rather than the twins, were taking a leading role. He decided to pull the twins out and give them their own story while keeping them as side characters in Pudd’nhead Wilson. The result, “Those Extraordinary Twins,” featured not conjoined twins but rather identical twins who had separate bodies. However, in the final version that went out for publication, there was evidence in the text that the original intent was for them to be conjoined. For example, they were described as being their parents’ only child, who slept together, practiced the piano together, and performed in sideshows.
In the introduction to “Those Extraordinary Twins,” Mark Twain said of the Tocci brothers, “I had seen a picture of a youthful Italian “freak” or “freaks” which was – or which were – on exhibition in our cities – a combination consisting of two heads and four arms joined to a single body and a single pair of legs – and I thought I would write an extravagantly fantastic little story with this freak of nature for hero – or heroes – a silly young miss for heroin, and two old ladies and two boys for the minor parts. I lavishly elaborated these people and their doings, of course.”
