Chapter 4Chapter 4The Age of Realism The Age of Realism

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Local ColorismLocal ColorismMark TwainMark Twain

ContentsContents Local colorismLocal colorism Mark TwainMark Twain

Assignments this Assignments this ChapterChapter Define the term: local colorism, classic ploDefine the term: local colorism, classic plo

t analysis t analysis What are the features of Mark Twain’s wWhat are the features of Mark Twain’s w

ritings?ritings? Tell the differences among Howells, HenrTell the differences among Howells, Henr

y James and Mark Twain in writing themey James and Mark Twain in writing themes and in writing techniques and in writing technique

Simply give the story the classic plot analySimply give the story the classic plot analysissis

Answer the three questions from the Answer the three questions from the SelecSelected Readingsted Readings on p 72. on p 72.

Local colorismLocal colorism

DefinitionDefinition Its representativesIts representativesFeatures of local colorisFeatures of local coloris

mm

Local colorismLocal colorism

Defininition Defininition Local color or regional literature is Local color or regional literature is

fiction and poetry that focuses on the fiction and poetry that focuses on the characters, dialect, customs, characters, dialect, customs, topography, and other features topography, and other features particular to a specific region. particular to a specific region. Influenced by Southwestern and Down Influenced by Southwestern and Down East humor, between the Civil War East humor, between the Civil War and the end of the nineteenth century and the end of the nineteenth century this mode of writing became dominant this mode of writing became dominant in American literature.in American literature.

Its representativesIts representatives Bret Harte Bret Harte (1836-1902) is reme(1836-1902) is reme

mbered as the author of adventmbered as the author of adventurous stories such as "The Lucurous stories such as "The Luck of Roaring Camp" and "The Ok of Roaring Camp" and "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," set along utcasts of Poker Flat," set along the western mining frontier. the western mining frontier.

As the first great success in the lAs the first great success in the local colorist school, Harte for a ocal colorist school, Harte for a brief time was perhaps the best-brief time was perhaps the best-known writer in America -- such known writer in America -- such was the appeal of his romantic vwas the appeal of his romantic version of the gun gun-slinging ersion of the gun gun-slinging West. Outwardly realistic, he waWest. Outwardly realistic, he was one of the first to introduce los one of the first to introduce low-life characters -- cunning gamw-life characters -- cunning gamblers, gaudy prostitutes, and unblers, gaudy prostitutes, and uncouth robbers -- into serious litecouth robbers -- into serious literary works.rary works.

Hamlin Garland (p131)Hamlin Garland (p131) Several womenSeveral women writers are remembered writers are remembered

for their fine depictions of New England: for their fine depictions of New England: Mary Wilkins Freeman (1852-1930), HarriMary Wilkins Freeman (1852-1930), Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), and especiaet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), and especially Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909). Jewett's lly Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909). Jewett's originality, exact observation of her Mainoriginality, exact observation of her Maine characters and setting, and sensitive stye characters and setting, and sensitive style are best seen in her fine story le are best seen in her fine story "The Whi"The White Heron" in Country of the Pointed Firste Heron" in Country of the Pointed Firs (1896). Harriet Beecher Stowe's local color (1896). Harriet Beecher Stowe's local color works, especially works, especially The Pearl of Orr's IslandThe Pearl of Orr's Island (1862), depicting humble Maine fishing c(1862), depicting humble Maine fishing communities, greatly influenced Jewett. ommunities, greatly influenced Jewett.

All regions of the country celebrated All regions of the country celebrated themselves in writing influenced by local themselves in writing influenced by local color. Some of it included social protest, color. Some of it included social protest, especially toward the end of the century, especially toward the end of the century, when social inequality and economic when social inequality and economic hardship were particularly pressing hardship were particularly pressing issues. Racial injustice and inequality issues. Racial injustice and inequality between the sexes appear in the works between the sexes appear in the works of southern writers such as George of southern writers such as George Washington Cable (1844-1925) and Kate Washington Cable (1844-1925) and Kate Chopin (1851-1904), whose powerful Chopin (1851-1904), whose powerful novels set in Cajun/French Louisiana novels set in Cajun/French Louisiana transcend the local color label. transcend the local color label.

Features of local colorismFeatures of local colorism

Characteristics SettingCharacteristics Setting CharactersCharacters NarratorNarrator PlotsPlots

ThemesThemes

General critical overviewGeneral critical overview

Many critics have argued that this literary Many critics have argued that this literary movement contributed to the reunification of movement contributed to the reunification of the country after the Civil War and to the the country after the Civil War and to the building of national identity toward the end of building of national identity toward the end of the nineteenth century. According to Brodhead, the nineteenth century. According to Brodhead, "regionalism's representation of vernacular "regionalism's representation of vernacular cultures as enclaves of tradition insulated from cultures as enclaves of tradition insulated from larger cultural contact is palpably a fiction . . . larger cultural contact is palpably a fiction . . . its public function was not just to mourn lost its public function was not just to mourn lost cultures but to purvey a certain story of cultures but to purvey a certain story of contemporary cultures and of the relations contemporary cultures and of the relations among them" (121). among them" (121).

In chronicling the nation's stories In chronicling the nation's stories about its regions and mythical about its regions and mythical origins, local color fiction through its origins, local color fiction through its presence--and, later, its absence--presence--and, later, its absence--contributed to the narrative of contributed to the narrative of unified nationhood that late unified nationhood that late nineteenth-century America sought nineteenth-century America sought to construct. to construct.

A variation A variation of of this genre is the this genre is the "plantation tradition""plantation tradition" fiction of fiction of Thomas Nelson Page and others.Thomas Nelson Page and others.

Characteristics SettingCharacteristics Setting

The emphasis is frequently on The emphasis is frequently on nature and the limitations it nature and the limitations it imposes; settings are imposes; settings are frequently remote and frequently remote and inaccessible. The setting is inaccessible. The setting is integral to the story and may integral to the story and may sometimes become a character sometimes become a character in itself. in itself.

CharactersCharacters

Local color stories tend to be concerned Local color stories tend to be concerned with the character of the districtwith the character of the district or region or region rather than with the individual: characters rather than with the individual: characters may become character types, sometimes may become character types, sometimes quaint or stereotypicalquaint or stereotypical.. The characters are The characters are marked by their adherence to the old ways, marked by their adherence to the old ways, by dialect, and by particular personality by dialect, and by particular personality traits central to the region. In women's traits central to the region. In women's local color fiction, local color fiction, the heroines are often the heroines are often unmarried women or young girls.unmarried women or young girls.

Narrator Narrator

The narrator is The narrator is typically an educated typically an educated observerobserver from the world beyond who from the world beyond who learns something from the characters learns something from the characters while while preserving a sometimes preserving a sometimes sympathetic, sometimes ironic sympathetic, sometimes ironic distancedistance from them. The narrator from them. The narrator serves as mediator between the rural serves as mediator between the rural folk of the tale and the urban folk of the tale and the urban audienceaudience to whom the tale is directed. to whom the tale is directed.

PlotsPlots

It has been said that "nothing It has been said that "nothing happens" in local color stories happens" in local color stories by women authors, and often by women authors, and often very little does happen. Stories very little does happen. Stories may include lots of storytelling may include lots of storytelling and revolve around the and revolve around the community and its rituals. community and its rituals.

ThemesThemes Many local color stories share an Many local color stories share an

antipathy to change and a certain degree antipathy to change and a certain degree of nostalgia for an always-past golden of nostalgia for an always-past golden age. A celebration of community and age. A celebration of community and acceptance in the face of adversity acceptance in the face of adversity characterizes women's local color fiction. characterizes women's local color fiction. Thematic tension or conflict between Thematic tension or conflict between urban ways and old-fashioned rural urban ways and old-fashioned rural values is often symbolized by the values is often symbolized by the intrusion of an outsider or interloper who intrusion of an outsider or interloper who seeks something from the community.seeks something from the community.

Mark TwainMark Twain Landscape on MississippiLandscape on Mississippi

ContentsContents Life experienceLife experience II. Major works II. Major works III. His literary featuresIII. His literary features The differences among Howells, Henry The differences among Howells, Henry

James and Mark Twain in writing themes James and Mark Twain in writing themes and in writing technique: (p133-p134)and in writing technique: (p133-p134)

V. The Appreciation of V. The Appreciation of The Adventures of The Adventures of Huck Berry FinnHuck Berry Finn (p135-p139) (p135-p139)

VI. Understanding and analysis of his VI. Understanding and analysis of his The Celebrated Jumping Frog of The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras CountyCalaveras County

His literary featuresHis literary features Twain's style, based on vigorous, Twain's style, based on vigorous,

realistic, colloquial American realistic, colloquial American speechspeech,, gave American writers a gave American writers a new appreciation of their national new appreciation of their national voice. Twain was the first major voice. Twain was the first major author to come from the interior of author to come from the interior of the country, andthe country, and he captured its he captured its distinctive, humorous slang and distinctive, humorous slang and iconoclasmiconoclasm..

Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name of Mark Twain, grew up Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name of Mark Twain, grew up in the Mississippi River frontier town of Hannibal, Missouri. Early 19th-in the Mississippi River frontier town of Hannibal, Missouri. Early 19th-century American writers tended to be too flowery, sentimental, or century American writers tended to be too flowery, sentimental, or ostentatious -- partially because they were still trying to prove that they ostentatious -- partially because they were still trying to prove that they could write as elegantly as the English.could write as elegantly as the English.

For Twain and other American For Twain and other American writers of the late 19th century,writers of the late 19th century, realism was not merely a literary realism was not merely a literary technique: It was a way of technique: It was a way of speaking truth and exploding speaking truth and exploding worn-out conventions.worn-out conventions.

Thus it was profoundly liberating and Thus it was profoundly liberating and potentially at odds with society. The most well-potentially at odds with society. The most well-known example is Huck Finn, a poor boy who known example is Huck Finn, a poor boy who decides to follow the voice of his conscience decides to follow the voice of his conscience and help a Negro slave escape to freedom, even and help a Negro slave escape to freedom, even though Huck thinks this means that he will be though Huck thinks this means that he will be damned to hell for breaking the law.damned to hell for breaking the law.

Two major literary currents in 19th-Two major literary currents in 19th-century America merged in Mark century America merged in Mark Twain: popular frontier humor and Twain: popular frontier humor and local color, or "regionalism."local color, or "regionalism."

These related literary approaches began in the These related literary approaches began in the 1830s -- and had even earlier roots in local oral 1830s -- and had even earlier roots in local oral traditions. In ragged frontier villages, on riverboats, traditions. In ragged frontier villages, on riverboats, in mining camps, and around cowboy campfires far in mining camps, and around cowboy campfires far from city amusements, storytelling flourished. from city amusements, storytelling flourished. Exaggeration, tall tales, incredible boasts, and comic Exaggeration, tall tales, incredible boasts, and comic workingmen heroes enlivened frontier literature. workingmen heroes enlivened frontier literature. These humorous forms were found in many frontier These humorous forms were found in many frontier regions -- in the "old Southwest" (the present-day regions -- in the "old Southwest" (the present-day inland South and the lower Midwest), the mining inland South and the lower Midwest), the mining frontier, and the Pacific Coast. Each region had its frontier, and the Pacific Coast. Each region had its colorful characters around whose stories.colorful characters around whose stories.

The differences among Howells, The differences among Howells, Henry James and Mark Twain in Henry James and Mark Twain in writing themes and in writing writing themes and in writing technique: (p133-p134)technique: (p133-p134)

V. The Appreciation of V. The Appreciation of The The Adventures of Huck Berry FinnAdventures of Huck Berry Finn (p135-p139)(p135-p139)

Understanding and analysis of Understanding and analysis of The The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Celebrated Jumping Frog of

Calaveras CountyCalaveras County

OutlineOutline IntroductionIntroduction Brief Plot OverviewBrief Plot Overview ThemesThemes Plot analysisPlot analysis Characters analysisCharacters analysis Literary deviceLiterary device Symbols, Imagery, Allegory Symbols, Imagery, Allegory Setting Setting Narrator Point of ViewNarrator Point of View Tone Tone Writing StyleWriting Style

Introduction

Written in 1865, this short story by Mark Written in 1865, this short story by Mark Twain was an overnight success and reprinted Twain was an overnight success and reprinted all over the country. In fact, this is the piece of all over the country. In fact, this is the piece of writing that launched Mark Twain into fame writing that launched Mark Twain into fame (read more). "The Celebrated Jumping Frog" (read more). "The Celebrated Jumping Frog" focuses on a narrator from the East suffering focuses on a narrator from the East suffering through a Western man's tall tale about a through a Western man's tall tale about a jumping frog. The story was made into an jumping frog. The story was made into an opera and performed at Indiana University in opera and performed at Indiana University in 1950. Today, the city of Angel's Camp, 1950. Today, the city of Angel's Camp, California, the setting for this short story, calls California, the setting for this short story, calls itself the "Home of the Jumping Frog."itself the "Home of the Jumping Frog."

Brief Plot OverviewBrief Plot Overview

A man from the East comes to a westerA man from the East comes to a western mining town. At the request of a frien mining town. At the request of a friend, the narrator speaks with Simon Wnd, the narrator speaks with Simon Wheeler in order to ask after a man namheeler in order to ask after a man named Leonidas W. Smiley. Instead of givied Leonidas W. Smiley. Instead of giving the narrator the information that hng the narrator the information that he asks for, Wheeler launches into a tall e asks for, Wheeler launches into a tall tale about a man named Jim Smiley.tale about a man named Jim Smiley.

The story goes something like this: Jim The story goes something like this: Jim Smiley was a man who would bet on aSmiley was a man who would bet on anything. He turned a frog into a pet annything. He turned a frog into a pet and bet a stranger that his frog, Dan’l Wd bet a stranger that his frog, Dan’l Webster, could jump higher than any othebster, could jump higher than any other frog. While Smiley wasn't looking, ter frog. While Smiley wasn't looking, the stranger filled Dan’l Webster with he stranger filled Dan’l Webster with quail shot, and Smiley lost the bet. Befquail shot, and Smiley lost the bet. Before he could figure out what happened,ore he could figure out what happened, the stranger disappeared with the $40 the stranger disappeared with the $40 he won by cheating.he won by cheating.

Sick of the long-winded tale about Sick of the long-winded tale about Jim Smiley and his frog, the narrator Jim Smiley and his frog, the narrator tries to escape from Wheeler before tries to escape from Wheeler before he launches into another story. The he launches into another story. The narrator realizes that his friend narrator realizes that his friend probably intended for him to suffer probably intended for him to suffer through Wheeler's tedious tale. through Wheeler's tedious tale.

ThemesThemes

Cunning and ClevernessCunning and Cleverness CompetitionCompetition Lies and DeceitLies and Deceit Contrasting RegionsContrasting Regions

Cunning and ClevernessCunning and Cleverness Though Jim Smiley appears to be Though Jim Smiley appears to be

extraordinarily lucky, it is partly through extraordinarily lucky, it is partly through his cunning and cleverness that he is able his cunning and cleverness that he is able to win bets. He is finally outsmarted by a to win bets. He is finally outsmarted by a stranger, who beats him through cheating. stranger, who beats him through cheating. Nonetheless, the story poses a moral Nonetheless, the story poses a moral distinction between honest and dishonest distinction between honest and dishonest cleverness. It also shows that you don’t cleverness. It also shows that you don’t necessarily have to be educated and well necessarily have to be educated and well spoken to be clever, nor is a good spoken to be clever, nor is a good education a defense against getting fooled. education a defense against getting fooled.

Quote:Quote: I have a lurking suspicion that I have a lurking suspicion that Leonidas W. Smiley is ... a myth; that Leonidas W. Smiley is ... a myth; that my friend never knew such a personagmy friend never knew such a personage; and that he only conjectured that, if e; and that he only conjectured that, if I asked old Wheeler about him, it woulI asked old Wheeler about him, it would remind him of his infamous Jim Smild remind him of his infamous Jim Smiley, and he would go to work and bore ey, and he would go to work and bore me nearly to death with some infernal me nearly to death with some infernal reminiscence of him as long and tedioreminiscence of him as long and tedious as it should be useless to me. If that us as it should be useless to me. If that was the design, it certainly succeeded. was the design, it certainly succeeded. (Para 1) (Para 1)

Thought:Thought: The narrator realizes that The narrator realizes that his friend might have played a big his friend might have played a big joke on him. But it’s something of a joke on him. But it’s something of a mystery why his friend would want mystery why his friend would want to bore him with Wheeler’s stories. to bore him with Wheeler’s stories. Does the friend think that maybe the Does the friend think that maybe the narrator, Mr. Fancy Eastern narrator, Mr. Fancy Eastern Narrator, has something to learn Narrator, has something to learn from Wheeler? Or is the friend just a from Wheeler? Or is the friend just a jerk, which might cause us to jerk, which might cause us to wonder: why are they friends in the wonder: why are they friends in the first place?first place?

Competition Competition Jim Smiley is an incorrigible gambler. Jim Smiley is an incorrigible gambler.

Though he may like the money he wins, Though he may like the money he wins, it is also clear that he just enjoys the it is also clear that he just enjoys the thrill of competition. He frequently bets thrill of competition. He frequently bets on the underdog or bets on really on the underdog or bets on really awkward and tactless things (such as awkward and tactless things (such as whether the parson’s wife will recover whether the parson’s wife will recover from her illness or not). He also from her illness or not). He also cultivates animals – a horse, a dog, and cultivates animals – a horse, a dog, and then a frog – that he can use in his then a frog – that he can use in his various competitions. various competitions.

Quote Quote "…but any way, he was the curiosest m "…but any way, he was the curiosest man about always ... betting on any thing that tuan about always ... betting on any thing that turned up you ever see, if he could get any body trned up you ever see, if he could get any body to bet on the other side; and if he couldn't, he'd o bet on the other side; and if he couldn't, he'd change sides. [. . .] Why, it never made no diffechange sides. [. . .] Why, it never made no difference to him he would bet on any thing the darence to him he would bet on any thing the dangdest feller. Parson Walker's wife laid very sicngdest feller. Parson Walker's wife laid very sick once, for a good while, and it seemed as if thk once, for a good while, and it seemed as if they warn's going to save her; but one morning hey warn's going to save her; but one morning he come in, and Smiley asked how she was, and e come in, and Smiley asked how she was, and he said she was considerable better thank the he said she was considerable better thank the Lord for his inftnit mercy and coming on so sLord for his inftnit mercy and coming on so smart that, with the blessing of Providence, shmart that, with the blessing of Providence, she'd get well yet; and Smiley, before he thought, e'd get well yet; and Smiley, before he thought, says, "Well, I'llrisk two- and-a-half that she dosays, "Well, I'llrisk two- and-a-half that she don't, any way." (para 4) n't, any way." (para 4)

Thought:Thought: Jim Smiley’s main char Jim Smiley’s main characteristic is his love of or addiction acteristic is his love of or addiction for betting. He likes the competitiofor betting. He likes the competition, even though he’s good-natured n, even though he’s good-natured about it. His honesty shows that eveabout it. His honesty shows that even pastimes as shady as gambling han pastimes as shady as gambling have codes of honor attached to them. ve codes of honor attached to them. Unfortunately, he can also be quite Unfortunately, he can also be quite tactless, like when he bets that the tactless, like when he bets that the parson’s wife will stay sick.parson’s wife will stay sick.

Lies and DeceitLies and Deceit Smiley himself tends to be fairly honest, tSmiley himself tends to be fairly honest, t

hough it might be possible to argue that hihough it might be possible to argue that his animals allow him to practice deception, s animals allow him to practice deception, since each in turn looks like nothing specisince each in turn looks like nothing special or even like it could never win. But that al or even like it could never win. But that is not the same kind of deceit that the strais not the same kind of deceit that the stranger uses when he fills Dan’l Webster winger uses when he fills Dan’l Webster with quail shot in order to win his bet. Smileth quail shot in order to win his bet. Smiley is righteously indignant, though he fails y is righteously indignant, though he fails to capture the stranger and get his money to capture the stranger and get his money back. back.

QuoteQuote Thish-yer Smiley had a mare the boys calThish-yer Smiley had a mare the boys called her the ... fifteen- minute nag, but that was led her the ... fifteen- minute nag, but that was only in fun, you know, because, of course, she only in fun, you know, because, of course, she was faster than that and he used to win money was faster than that and he used to win money on that horse, for all she was so slow and alwayon that horse, for all she was so slow and always had the asthma, or the distemper, or the conss had the asthma, or the distemper, or the consumption, or something of that kind. They used umption, or something of that kind. They used to give her two or three hundred yards start, anto give her two or three hundred yards start, and then pass her under way; but always at the fad then pass her under way; but always at the fag-end of the race she'd get excited and desperatg-end of the race she'd get excited and desperate- like, and come cavorting and straddling up, ae- like, and come cavorting and straddling up, and scattering her legs around limber, sometimend scattering her legs around limber, sometimes in the air, and sometimes out to one side amos in the air, and sometimes out to one side amongst the fences, and kicking up m-o-r-e dust, anngst the fences, and kicking up m-o-r-e dust, and raising m-o-r-e racket with her coughing and d raising m-o-r-e racket with her coughing and sneezing and blowing her nose and always fetcsneezing and blowing her nose and always fetch up at the stand just about a neck ahead, as neh up at the stand just about a neck ahead, as near as you could cipher it down. (Para 5) ar as you could cipher it down. (Para 5)

Thought:Thought: Part of the fun in the com Part of the fun in the competition, perhaps, is Smiley’s abilitpetition, perhaps, is Smiley’s ability to fool others into believing that hy to fool others into believing that he’s a fool to engage in the bet that he’s a fool to engage in the bet that he makes. The animals he chooses to e makes. The animals he chooses to bet on don’t ever look like much, bbet on don’t ever look like much, but they usually pull through in the eut they usually pull through in the end. How does Smiley manage to find nd. How does Smiley manage to find such extraordinary animals? Maybe tsuch extraordinary animals? Maybe this it part of the "tall tale" element of his it part of the "tall tale" element of the story.the story.

Contrasting RegionsContrasting Regions Though the eastern and western United Though the eastern and western United

States aren’t specifically contrasted in this States aren’t specifically contrasted in this short story, we do see a contrast between short story, we do see a contrast between the educated, refined narrator from the the educated, refined narrator from the East (who also happens to be "green") and East (who also happens to be "green") and the uneducated but slick characters who the uneducated but slick characters who populate Angel’s mining camp in the West. populate Angel’s mining camp in the West. The characters in the West love a good tall The characters in the West love a good tall tale, while the narrator appears to find it tale, while the narrator appears to find it pointless and tedious, but maybe that’s pointless and tedious, but maybe that’s because he doesn’t get it. because he doesn’t get it.

QuoteQuote I found Simon Wheeler I found Simon Wheeler dozing comfortably by the bar-dozing comfortably by the bar-room stove ... of the old, room stove ... of the old, dilapidated tavern in the ancient dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Angel's, and I mining camp of Angel's, and I noticed that he was fat and bald-noticed that he was fat and bald-headed, and had an expression of headed, and had an expression of winning gentleness and simplicity winning gentleness and simplicity upon his tranquil countenance. He upon his tranquil countenance. He roused up and gave me good-day. roused up and gave me good-day. (Para 2) (Para 2)

Thought:Thought: The educated, well- The educated, well-healed easterner describes the healed easterner describes the simple, rustic westerner in our simple, rustic westerner in our first subtle contrast between first subtle contrast between American regions. By taking American regions. By taking note of Wheeler’s "winning note of Wheeler’s "winning gentleness," is the narrator gentleness," is the narrator being a generous guy, or is he being a generous guy, or is he just being condescending?just being condescending?

Plot analysisPlot analysis

Classic Plot Analysis ( a literary Classic Plot Analysis ( a literary term)term)

Most good stories start with a Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.recipe and add some spice.

Outline ofOutline of Classic Plot Classic Plot AnalysisAnalysis

Initial SituationInitial Situation ConflictConflict ComplicationComplication ClimaxClimax SuspenseSuspense DenouementDenouement ConclusionConclusion

Initial SituationInitial Situation

The narrator enters the tavern in AngeThe narrator enters the tavern in Angel’s mining campl’s mining camp..

(A friend has asked the narrator to find (A friend has asked the narrator to find Simon Wheeler and to ask him about tSimon Wheeler and to ask him about the Reverend Leonidas W. Smiley. Simhe Reverend Leonidas W. Smiley. Simon Wheeler doesn’t remember a Revon Wheeler doesn’t remember a Reverend Smiley but he does start to tell a erend Smiley but he does start to tell a tale about Jim Smiley, a man who lovetale about Jim Smiley, a man who loved to make bets.) d to make bets.)

Conflict Conflict

Smiley makes bets with an old horse and an old Smiley makes bets with an old horse and an old dog.dog.

(We learn from the start that Smiley loves to (We learn from the start that Smiley loves to gamble, but more important perhaps, he likes gamble, but more important perhaps, he likes to bet on animals that don’t seem like they have to bet on animals that don’t seem like they have a good chance of winning. He has an old a good chance of winning. He has an old asthmatic mare that doesn’t look like it can win asthmatic mare that doesn’t look like it can win horse races but always manages to come out on horse races but always manages to come out on top in the last few seconds of the race. He also top in the last few seconds of the race. He also has a dog named Andrew Jackson that doesn’t has a dog named Andrew Jackson that doesn’t look like he can win a fight – and in fact loses look like he can win a fight – and in fact loses fights until there is money on the table.) fights until there is money on the table.)

Complication Complication

Smiley starts to educate a frog so that iSmiley starts to educate a frog so that it can beat other frogs at jumping.t can beat other frogs at jumping.

(One day, Smiley starts educating a fro(One day, Smiley starts educating a frog that he names Dan’l Webster. For tg that he names Dan’l Webster. For three months, he does nothing but teachree months, he does nothing but teach this frog how to jump higher and fasth this frog how to jump higher and faster than any other frog. Then he puts ther than any other frog. Then he puts the frog on the market, so to speak, and se frog on the market, so to speak, and starts making bets.) tarts making bets.)

Climax Climax

A stranger fills Smiley’s frog with quaA stranger fills Smiley’s frog with quail shot and the frog losesil shot and the frog loses..

(One day, Smiley bets a stranger forty bucks t(One day, Smiley bets a stranger forty bucks that his frog can beat any other frog. The strahat his frog can beat any other frog. The stranger says he doesn’t see anything special abnger says he doesn’t see anything special about Dan’l Webster. The bet is on but while Sout Dan’l Webster. The bet is on but while Smiley goes to get the stranger a frog, the stramiley goes to get the stranger a frog, the stranger fills Dan’l with quail shot. When the tnger fills Dan’l with quail shot. When the two frogs try to jump, Dan’l can’t even movwo frogs try to jump, Dan’l can’t even move. The stranger takes the money and leaves.)e. The stranger takes the money and leaves.)

SuspenseSuspense

Smiley goes after the stranger but the sSmiley goes after the stranger but the stranger has already skipped town.tranger has already skipped town.

(When Smiley discovers what the cheat(When Smiley discovers what the cheater has done, that is, when Dan’l Weber has done, that is, when Dan’l Webster burps out quail shot, he starts out ster burps out quail shot, he starts out after him—but he’s too late. The straafter him—but he’s too late. The stranger has disappeared with Smiley’s nger has disappeared with Smiley’s money.)money.)

DenouementDenouement

Wheeler is interrupted from his Wheeler is interrupted from his story-telling.story-telling.

(When Wheeler is interrupted from (When Wheeler is interrupted from finishing the story, he tells the finishing the story, he tells the narrator to wait. When he comes narrator to wait. When he comes back, he tries to continue his tall tale back, he tries to continue his tall tale but the narrator interrupts and says, but the narrator interrupts and says, not quite good-naturedly, that he not quite good-naturedly, that he needs to go. )needs to go. )

ConclusionConclusion

The narrator leaves the saloon. The The narrator leaves the saloon. The narrator leaves, thinking his quest narrator leaves, thinking his quest was fruitlesswas fruitless

Characters analysisCharacters analysis

Simon Wheeler Simon Wheeler

Though Simon Wheeler is bald and lazy, and Though Simon Wheeler is bald and lazy, and seems simple, he may be cleverer than he seems simple, he may be cleverer than he looks. He’s certainly very aggressive in getting looks. He’s certainly very aggressive in getting the narrator to listen to him. He uses tactics the narrator to listen to him. He uses tactics that sound like military maneuvers, such as that sound like military maneuvers, such as "blockading" the narrator with a chair so that "blockading" the narrator with a chair so that he can’t leave. But then there’s the question of he can’t leave. But then there’s the question of why he’s so desperate to have someone listen to why he’s so desperate to have someone listen to him.him. Mining towns tended to be populated by a Mining towns tended to be populated by a lot of single men with too much time on their lot of single men with too much time on their hands. hands.

(Answer to question 1 on p72) It has (Answer to question 1 on p72) It has to get pretty lonely out there at the mto get pretty lonely out there at the mining camp. One way of passing the tiining camp. One way of passing the time is to tell stories. Maybe he just wame is to tell stories. Maybe he just wants to talk and doesn’t have any shants to talk and doesn’t have any shame about it.me about it. Whatever the reason is, h Whatever the reason is, he throws the narrator completely off ge throws the narrator completely off guard. And he also talks real funny and uard. And he also talks real funny and ungrammatical-like.ungrammatical-like.

The NarratorThe Narrator The narrator is an educated man froThe narrator is an educated man fro

m the East who is traveling west. Alom the East who is traveling west. Along the way, he does a friend a favor ng the way, he does a friend a favor by going to Angel’s mining camp to by going to Angel’s mining camp to ask about the Rev. Leonidas W. Smilask about the Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley. Instead of finding the informatioey. Instead of finding the information he is looking for, he is forced to enn he is looking for, he is forced to endure Wheeler's long-winded tall tale dure Wheeler's long-winded tall tale about Jim Smiley, a man who loved gabout Jim Smiley, a man who loved gambling and who always won, at leaambling and who always won, at least until the day he was cheated. st until the day he was cheated.

(Answer to question2 on p72)Thoug(Answer to question2 on p72)Though the narrator is good-natured about h the narrator is good-natured about it, he escapes as soon as he can, thinit, he escapes as soon as he can, thinking to himself that there wasn’t mking to himself that there wasn’t much point listening to such a tedious uch point listening to such a tedious storystory that has nothing to do with the that has nothing to do with the Rev. Smiley. In fact, at the beginninRev. Smiley. In fact, at the beginning of the story we learn that the narrag of the story we learn that the narrator is suspicious of his friend. He thitor is suspicious of his friend. He thinks maybe his friend was playing a tnks maybe his friend was playing a trick on him so that he would have to rick on him so that he would have to listen to Wheeler’s endless stories. listen to Wheeler’s endless stories.

This, of course, raises some This, of course, raises some questions about our dear narrator’s questions about our dear narrator’s judgment. If he doesn’t trust his judgment. If he doesn’t trust his friend, why are they friends? Is it friend, why are they friends? Is it just a good-natured trick, like a just a good-natured trick, like a prank? Also, prank? Also, the narrator doesn’t the narrator doesn’t seem to have a lot of patience or seem to have a lot of patience or good manners – when Wheeler good manners – when Wheeler starts on his last story, the starts on his last story, the narrator gets frustrated and narrator gets frustrated and rushes out, rather than finding a rushes out, rather than finding a way to exit politely.way to exit politely.

Literary deviceLiterary device Symbols, Imagery, AllegorySymbols, Imagery, Allegory * Andrew Jackson and Dan’l Webster* Andrew Jackson and Dan’l Webster The names for the dog and the "educated" frogThe names for the dog and the "educated" frog hint at some possible political undertones. Thhint at some possible political undertones. Th

e dog, which didn’t look like much but was fe dog, which didn’t look like much but was feisty when it came to fighting, was named for eisty when it came to fighting, was named for Andrew Jackson, a westerner and the seventh Andrew Jackson, a westerner and the seventh president of the United States. He was a man president of the United States. He was a man of the people and believed in democracy for aof the people and believed in democracy for all. Daniel Webster was an attorney who becall. Daniel Webster was an attorney who became one of the leading American statesmen, sme one of the leading American statesmen, serving as a senator and Secretary of State.erving as a senator and Secretary of State.

He ran unsuccessfully for president thrHe ran unsuccessfully for president three times and was known for being a very ee times and was known for being a very good narrator. In this short story, a comgood narrator. In this short story, a common frog with no name beats the educatmon frog with no name beats the educated frog (Dan’l Webster).ed frog (Dan’l Webster). The moral of tThe moral of the tale could be that the uneducated, che tale could be that the uneducated, common frog was only able to beat the ommon frog was only able to beat the educated frog through cheating.educated frog through cheating. Altern Alternatively, given Webster’s politics, it migatively, given Webster’s politics, it might be possible read more deeply into this ht be possible read more deeply into this and suggest that and suggest that the tale is subversively the tale is subversively arguing for equality for all Americans.arguing for equality for all Americans.

SettingSetting

Angel’s Camp, California, mid-19th Angel’s Camp, California, mid-19th centurycentury

Angel's Camp is a gold mining community in Angel's Camp is a gold mining community in the mid-19th century that the narrator claims the mid-19th century that the narrator claims to have visited to find Simon Wheeler. Like to have visited to find Simon Wheeler. Like any mining town in the West, it was populated any mining town in the West, it was populated primarily by men, many of them looking for primarily by men, many of them looking for their fortune. As something of a frontier town, their fortune. As something of a frontier town, it would probably seem to be full of loud, it would probably seem to be full of loud, uncouth, and uneducated people compared to uncouth, and uneducated people compared to the more genteel East. the more genteel East.

Narrator Point of ViewNarrator Point of View

First PersonFirst Person

Through a frame narrative, the narrator Through a frame narrative, the narrator (clearly an educated man from the East) (clearly an educated man from the East) presents the story of Jim Smiley, told in presents the story of Jim Smiley, told in Simon Wheeler’s uneducated dialect. Simon Wheeler’s uneducated dialect. This is the main device that Twain uses This is the main device that Twain uses to present the contrast between East to present the contrast between East and West: educated vs. uneducated, and West: educated vs. uneducated, refined vs. coarse.refined vs. coarse.

ToneTone

Disparaging, disbelievingDisparaging, disbelieving Though the content suggests the opposite of tThough the content suggests the opposite of t

he tone, the attitude of the narrator toward thhe tone, the attitude of the narrator toward the subject matter is one of disbelief that his time subject matter is one of disbelief that his time has been wasted in such a way. He’s annoye has been wasted in such a way. He’s annoyed that he has had to listen to such a stupid taled that he has had to listen to such a stupid tale (about Dan'l Webster) from a man who seeme (about Dan'l Webster) from a man who seems to take it so seriously. His effort to reproduce s to take it so seriously. His effort to reproduce Wheeler’s ungrammatical dialect feels slightWheeler’s ungrammatical dialect feels slightly mocking. (ly mocking. (answer to question 3 on p72)answer to question 3 on p72)

Writing StyleWriting Style

Clever and Colloquial Clever and Colloquial This story is told with a frame narrativThis story is told with a frame narrativ

e. The narrator uses educated diction, e. The narrator uses educated diction, and explains how absurd Simon Wheeland explains how absurd Simon Wheeler is. Simon Wheeler narrates the insider is. Simon Wheeler narrates the inside story, and he uses an uneducated vere story, and he uses an uneducated vernacular to tell his tall tales about Smilenacular to tell his tall tales about Smiley and Dan'l Webster. y and Dan'l Webster.