what he seeks -- though nature has left the clues. The scientist is limited in his knowledge of natural facts, and can only interpret what has been left for him. In the character of Wilson, Twain demystifies science as an objective endeavor, showing it instead as a subjective, human field. Throughout the novel, it is nature that is the only presence to offer objective, clear messages to the charaters. Nature provides the indelible human identifier, the fingerprint, which Wilson must use to solve the muder of York Driscoll as well as to uncover Toms natural identity. Puddn head Wilson still trusts science more than nature, and that prolongs his being able to find the truth. Neither of the Italian twins left the fingerprints on the knife used in the murder; Wilsons recordings tell him that. Yet he would have laughed at the idea of seriously connecting Tom with the murder (145-6), even though his inclination is suspicion toward the young heir. Rather than trusting the instincts nature has given him, Wilson relies on his scientific methods -- and for some time is arriving nowhere (146). Wilson finally recognizes Toms fingerprints as being those of the murderer by mistake: Tom accidentally leaves his on the glass containing Roxanas fingerprints. Though the discovery requires the modern scientifics of fingerprinting, and even with this tactical aid, Wilson remains thoroughly befuddled until the very last moment (Porter 158). He even challenges his own instincts when the fingerprints of the assumed Tom match those of the born Chambers. Wilson cannot fathom any truth science does not reveal to him. So he falls asleep, and he has a dream that seemed to unravel the [puzzle] (154). Natural instinct, not science, most aids his detection. When Wilson opens himself to listen to nature in astate of sleep, he is able to solve his mystery. In contrast to Puddnhead Wilson, the slave Roxana opens herself to natures message in one instance, and is able to...
