The Notorious Jumping Frog Analysis
The use of language in writing is a form of self-expression and is a way to reveal key things about narrators’ characters. The narrators in “The Notorious Jumping Frog” and “Baker's Bluejay Yarn” by Mark Twain, have a very specific style of language which reveals things about their characters. In “The Notorious Jumping Frog” the narrator’s name is Simon Wheeler, The story takes place in Calaveras County, a mining town in California. Wheeler is originally asked about a man by the name Leonidas W. Smiley, but Wheeler started talking a completely different man by the name of Jim Smiley, a man with a gambling problem, who once lived in town. In “Baker's Bluejay Yarn” the narrator's name is Jim Baker. The story takes place in a lonely area in …show more content…
The foremost thing that becomes evident is his inability to stay on topic. The inability to stay on topic is demonstrated when Wheeler’s narration begins, it starts with “Rev. Leonidas W. H’m, Reverend Le-- well, there was a feller here once by the name of Jim Smiley…”(Twain 392). When asked about Rev. Leonidas Smiley, Wheeler quickly changes the subject to someone with a similar name, who is completely irrelevant to the conversation. This not only demonstrates his inability to stay on topic but also shows how his attention span is so short that he can not remember what he is originally asked about. Another way which reveals Wheeler’s character through his language is through his poor grammar. His poor grammar is evident in many places throughout his narration, and one particular instance when he says “Lots of the boys here has seen that Smiley, and can tell you about him” (Twain 392). Wheeler's grammar is incorrect and he should have actually said: “Lots of the boys here have seen Smiley, and can tell you about him”. Wheeler’s poor grammar can be partially attributed to the community around him. Wheeler lives in a mining camp, and most people in mining camps are not highly educated, hence why he uses improper grammar. Taking into account his inability to stay on topic, his short attention span, and his poor grammar, Wheeler’s language leads the readers to believe that he is not educated and is incapable of telling a comprehensible
The Outcasts Of Poker Flat Compare And Contrast
832 Words | 4 PagesThe narrator in The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County does very little storytelling. He introduces us to Simon Wheeler by a barroom stove in an old tavern; then we spend the next three full pages listening to him (Twain 662-665). The narrator interrupts Wheeler and he ends our story (Twain 666). In The Outcasts of Poker Flat the narrator is outside the story and we do not know who it is. The narrator follows John Oakhurst from the beginning when he becomes an outcast (Harte 674) to the end when he dies (Harte 684).
Veershawn Young Analysis
426 Words | 2 PagesHad this not been required reading , I would not have read past the first few lines. Ms. Wheeler’s writing was more technical in nature. She uses US Standard English, to explain her work with student’s explaining how she decodes her students work looking for differences are in their first vernacular from the US Standard English, and discusses
Twain's Satire
278 Words | 2 PagesHe is using hyperbole, understatement, and caricature. How effectively do the techniques used communicate Twain’s position? In his text Twain uses hyperbole and wit to exaggerate, using adverbs like beseechingly” and urgingly. He tries to present his argument as a serious but,
Rhetorical Analysis Of Is Google Making USupid By Nicholas Carr
1423 Words | 6 PagesHowever now, because he uses Internet a lot, he loses his focus of attention after reading some pages. He compares about the past reading ability with the present like “The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle” (Carr 57). Carr also tells that he is not the only one who is getting a trouble with reading. Instead, he believes
Similarities Between Huckleberry Finn And The Great Gatsby
1078 Words | 5 PagesAuthors of classic American literature often utilize a character’s development to establish a worldview or opinion. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Great Gatsby, Mark Twain and F. Scott Fitzgerald use their narrators, Huck Finn and Nick Carraway, to suggest an argument about American society. Seeking adventure, both characters embark on a journey, but their encounters with society leave them appalled. While they each have personal motives for abandoning their past, both end up interacting with different cultures that lead them to a similar decision about society and their futures. Ultimately, they stray from the dominant culture in order to escape the influence of society.
The Devil In The White City Language Analysis
841 Words | 4 PagesWhen describing Burnham, Larson uses several adjectives, depicting him as “handsome, tall, and strong” (26). He writes that people like Burnham because of “his strength, his steady blue gaze, and the confidence with which he conducted conversation” (20). Larson writes that “Burnham and Root became rich men. Not Pullman rich,...enough so that each year Burnham bought a barrel of fine Madeira and aged it by shipping it twice around the world…” (26). Larson uses long sentences and colorful adjectives to give a more detailed and descriptive account of Burnham causing him to seem more personable to readers and have a likeable image.
Huck Finn Racism Analysis
1403 Words | 6 PagesBy using improper, and in articulate diction, Twain exposes the stereotype that slaves are not able to be fully competent. When Jim cannot fathom the fact that there are people who speak all sorts of different types of languages he says it in a hard to understand manner. Jim says, "Well, it 's a blame ridicklous way, en I doan ' want to hear no mo ' 'bout it. Dey ain ' no sense in it" (The Adventures Twain 39). In Jims attempt to speak it is very hard to understand.
Prelude To Jumping In The River Analysis
188 Words | 1 PagesThe jump in “Prelude to Jumping in the River” by Katia Grubisic undergoes similar process as making important decisions in terms of the preparation and the aftereffects. Both the jump and making important decisions require lengthy preparation. In the poem, before the man jumps into the river, he “lays his light shirt, glasses, straw hat / and shoes” (1-2) on a piece of wood. This shows that he has spent some time organizing his clothing and “the mental preparation / takes some time” (4-5) after he has undressed. Similarly, before making important decisions, the decision-maker needs time to check every detail and weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option in order to decide which one is better.
Satire And Irony In Mark Twain's A Presidential Candidate
768 Words | 4 PagesThe “greatest American humorist of his age”, Mark Twain once said, “Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.” From Missouri to Nevada, apprentice to father of American literature, short stories to novels—Twain became the well-known author he is today because of the impact his life adventures and trial had on him (5). Author of the excerpt from A Presidential Candidate, Twain often used humor and wit to illustrate his stories and make his point known. Through his use of satire, irony, and rhetorical questions, Twain exposes the perceived truths of the Presidential campaigns and candidacies. In his excerpt, Twain uses satire to illustrate how anyone can run for President regardless of experience (14).
Cannibalism In The Cars Essay
557 Words | 3 PagesMark Twain was a prominent humorous American writer in the late 19th century who was infamous for satirizing many elements of society and writing in a vernacular that most people could understand. He believes that humor is “strictly a work of art” and that it is much subtler than comedy which “shouts [the nub] at you … every time” (Source A). Using his sense of humor, Mark Twain writes “Cannibalism in the Cars” and uses repetition and irony to achieve a humorous effect. Throughout the whole story, Twain uses repetition through anaphora and alliteration which creates suspense by emphasizing certain parts of his story to make the end seem more humorous.
Fenimore Coopers Rhetorical Analysis
429 Words | 2 PagesMark Twain, an 18th century humorist, was known for his critical and satirical writing. In one of his most famous essays, “ Fenimore Coopers Literary Offenses” Twain addresses Coopers inability to realistically develop a “situation” and his failure to effectively back up his stories in order for them to be more plausible. To dramatically convey his unimpressed and sarcastic attitude, he applies biting diction, metaphors and hypophora throughout this work . By continuously using biting diction, Twain develops a mocking tone towards Fenimore Cooper’s incapability to create even the simplest of storylines. In the title of the work a sarcastic tone is evident; the word choice is utilized to reinforce the argument stating how Coopers work is an offense to the world of literature.
Figurative Language In The Notorious Jumping Frog Of Calaveras Country
957 Words | 4 PagesTwain: In “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras Country” the tone of the narrator’s relationship began on the very first page. The narrator says that he has a “lurking suspicion” that Leonidas W. Smiley is made up and that Wheeler would “bore me to death with some exasperating reminiscence of him as long and as tedious as it should be useless to me” (Twain 1285). The narrator says that Simon Wheeler’s story telling is a “monotonous narrative” with no expressions (Twain 1285). Wheeler tells a Story about a man named Jim Smiley and uses figurative language to portray imagery throughout.
Nicholas Carr's Essay 'Is Google Making USupid?'
492 Words | 2 PagesHe supports this argument by citing a study conducted by students who have attended The University College London. The study proved to us that we no longer thoroughly read material, rather we just skim over most of what we read. From the convoluted works of the late 19th century, to the material of present day, the way we write and comprehend
Leaping Frogs And Stinky Skunks Analysis
57 Words | 1 PagesLeaping Frogs and Stinky Skunks is a collection of poems and watercolor paintings about nature and animals. It was written to be enjoyed by children of all ages. Many of the animals can be found in our everyday environment. Others may be found in zoos.
Characteristics Of John Steinbeck's Writing Style
886 Words | 4 PagesIn a world full of many authors, three have outlived most with their amazing style of writing. They are Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, and O. Henry. Although the world has changed greatly in the past 100 years, these authors are still considered excellent. Their unique writing styles have helped them withstand the test of time. Mark Twain used regional dialect, O. Henry used clever wordcraft, and John Steinbeck used social commentary.
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