Your assignment this week is 3 Parts- Author Profile on Mark Twain- Questions on the Reading and the Blog questions. There is an extra credit assignment available this week.
For your reading this week I've selected a short story by Mark Twain called The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Please read the short story: http://twain.lib.virginia.edu/projects/price/frog.htm and complete an Author's profile for Mark Twain. If you have not read Huckleberry Finn I would highly recommend you put this book on your "must read" list.
Please answer the following questions to be turned in NOVEMBER 26th or before via email. Since we are NOT meeting the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week I need you to email me this assignment. Assignments (Author Profile-Blog and questions) not received by 12:00pm on November 26th will not be accepted.
1. Twain captures the flavor of oral yarn by creating a humorous narrator who slowly spins out his tale. What is humorous about Wheeler's character? Cite several examples of his getting side-tracked in his narration.
2. Twain chooses a narrator who tells this story in frontier dialect -using peculiar sentence patterns-mispronunciations and grammatical deviations. What tone is conveyed by this use of dialect? (Tone is defined as the author's attitude toward his or her subject and audience. Tone- which may be stated or directly implied- conveys the emotional meaning of a work. It may be revealed by the author's word choice-the details included or the arrangement of ideas and descriptions).
3. In his narrative-Wheeler describes the frog as "whirling in the air like a doughnut" and flopping down on the floor as solid as a gob of mud." How are these similes appropriate to the yarn-spinner?
4. How does “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” reflect the characteristics of American Realism?
Blog Question DUE BY 11/26: Mark Twain was a man with many opinions and a very witty writer. Our blog post this week will give you an opportunity to read several of his quotes. Please find a Mark Twain quote to share with the class. Provide your own take on his quote or tell us why you chose that quote. You can use this website for research if you'd like: http://www.twainquotes.com/A.html. Feel free to use other websites for your research on Mark Twain.
EXTRA CREDIT DUE 12/3: Read the following story by Sarah Orne Jewett http://www.public.coe.edu/~theller/soj/awh/heron.htm . There will be no partial credit given for incomplete assignments. (Worth 100 Points)
Part One
Write an Author's Profile on Sarah Orne Jewett and answer three of the following questions:
Part Two
1. Discuss the relationship between humans and nature in "A White Heron."
2. In refusing to betray the White Heron's secret to the ornithologist, what, in the context of the story, is little Sylvia apparently rejecting? What force does the hunting scientist represent?
3. Considering her character, does the little girl's name, Sylvia, have any significance? (Look up the word sylvan for a clue.)
4. Why must Sylvia climb to the top of the old pine tree in order to find the White Heron? What does the pine tree, the oldest and tallest tree in the forest, come to represent to her? What does she gain from her vision at the top?
5. How does Jewett view the two different worlds, nature and society, in this story? Is Sylvia's choice of the heron over the young man necessarily the better one in the view of the tale? Support your argument with passages from the story.
1. Discuss the relationship between humans and nature in "A White Heron."
2. In refusing to betray the White Heron's secret to the ornithologist, what, in the context of the story, is little Sylvia apparently rejecting? What force does the hunting scientist represent?
3. Considering her character, does the little girl's name, Sylvia, have any significance? (Look up the word sylvan for a clue.)
4. Why must Sylvia climb to the top of the old pine tree in order to find the White Heron? What does the pine tree, the oldest and tallest tree in the forest, come to represent to her? What does she gain from her vision at the top?
5. How does Jewett view the two different worlds, nature and society, in this story? Is Sylvia's choice of the heron over the young man necessarily the better one in the view of the tale? Support your argument with passages from the story.
"Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life."
ReplyDelete- Notebook, 1898
I chose this quote mostly because I thought the last part was interesting. At first the quote sounds similar to something C.S. Lewis once said, "There is not a book long enough nor a cup of tea large enough to satisfy me." and I thought "Aw, it's a cool quote about books and I can write this on my window with my other quotes." But then I noticed the part at the end about a "sleepy conscious". As far as I can tell, Twain is saying that a good life requires good friends (true), good books (also true), and...wait for it...a marginal indifference to what is right and wrong. That took me aback for a minute. Then I began thinking about why Twain would say that the "ideal life" includes a blurred view of right and wrong. I realized that this was part of the shift from romanticism to realism. Advancements in psychology told people that what they did was no longer their own fault, an overbearing government continued to remove responsibility in the eyes of the people, and the ability to simply live life rather than focus on the high ideals of transcendentalism and romanticism became the popular view. This idea is actually very prominent in Twain's writing; characters do what they want and what makes them happy, and their circumstances affect them. No longer is the average person fixed on achieving the ideal, now the ideal has come to them in the form of their own pleasure.
I like your comment, and I definitely agree, Hannah. It is interesting how Mark Twain's quote can express Realism and the time period he lived in. As an atheist who experienced great personal loss and had his own ideals, he had no real moral compass and indulged himself later in life. His lifestyle shows his desire for a "sleepy conscience."
Delete"Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured."
ReplyDelete-Mark Twain
Anger is an emotion that we've all experienced at one point or another. Generally, when we get angry it is out of a lack of justice displayed towards us. Often, people think that being angry will in some ways make them feel better after being hurt, but that is most definitely not the case. Anger eats away at joy and contentment. It easily takes control of thoughts and emotions until one is engulfed in the bitterness of it. Like Twain points out, it does more harm to the person who feels anger then to the person at which anger is directed. Forgiveness is the remedy to this acid. It is like that salt water in Catching Fire that cleanses and takes away the infection that Katniss, Peeta, and Finnick encounter in the fog. Forgiveness leaves your soul happy and content.
Ok so my question for you is. Since Mark Twain was not a Christian, do you think it was possible for him to truly forgive someone and put aside his anger?
Delete"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain
ReplyDeleteIt's necessary to find a balance between respect and complaint in response to government. This quote does a great job in defining that balance. Citizens of a country always have an obligating in supporting the country, sadly, the government doesn't always represent the nation. I think of The White Rose Society, a college student led, non-violet, resistance group in Germany during World War 2. Although they hated the government regime, they were known for these words, "We are Christian, and we are German; therefore we are responsible for Germany!" They loved their country, but hated the government and resisted it sacrificing their lives every day. I'm with Mark Twain in saying we should support our government only when they deserve it. Just because we're citizens doesn't mean we need to support our government, but to support the United States of America.
"Only one thing is impossible for God: To find any sense in any copyright law on the planet." ~ Mark Twain
ReplyDeleteOn a non serious note, I liked this quote because it was quite funny when I read it. This showed how Mark Twain thought that information and stories should be free.
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first." ~ Mark Twain
On a serious note, this is a very good quote. My father is always commenting on how people in our society and even in the workplace think they deserve so much, but we don't. If you want something you have to earn it.
“Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain.” - Mark Twain
ReplyDeleteIt is very difficult to face our fears. For this reason we oftentimes flee from them rather than face them. Through this quote, Twain encourages us to face our fears, and states that by doing so we can effectively overcome them. The reason I chose this quote was because it reveals the importance of overcoming obstacles that prevent us from reaching our goals.
The average person is actually more scared of public speaking than of death. Crazy but true. The even sadder part is that hardly anyone faces this fear.
Delete“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain
ReplyDeleteAlthough the majority is not necessarily wrong, society often has opinions that conflict with individual moral values, especially those of Christians. As a member of a prosperous, free nation, the easiest course of action is conforming to the majority. When something so transient and amoral can affect a citizen so easily, it is absolutely essential to pause and reflect. America as a free, democratic nation depends on educated, principled citizens, not those who conform to the arbitrary whim of the majority. Likewise, no one can remain committed to Christianity or any principles as part of a majority of people all influenced by sin. The purpose of pausing and reflecting is to determine whether you agree with the majority's position so you can uphold your own values. I chose this quote because it is universally applicable to citizens and Christians alike.
I really like that quote! It hits pretty close to home for me. How do you think we as Christians can set ourselves apart from the majority and prove ourselves different? :)
DeleteIt is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt. ~ Mark Twain
ReplyDeleteI love this quote, my dad had recited it to me more than a few times when I was younger. The quote reminds us to think before we speak, to not speak our minds. It also reminds us to do a heart-check. "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34
For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. This quote is a reminder to me whenever I want to say something that might hurt someone else, or that is generally unedifying, to stop and examine my heart and surrender them to Christ.
I like this quote, and agree with your comment. It seems as though Mark Twain understood the value of silence. In another quote he says, "Actions speak louder than words but not nearly as often." Do you think that our generation is disregarding this truth, and if so why?
DeleteI've always liked this quote. It's always been a running joke between my sister and I to say this whenever someone says something.....not fully thought out. ;) The amazing thing about this quote is that Mark Twain is able to effectively call many people a fool and tell them how to stop being a fool, but everyone laughs at this quote, even the fool.
DeleteColby, I think our generation often does disregard this truth because we are told by media and public figures to follow our heart and do whatever we want to. This is damaging to others because we only think of ourselves in what we say to them.
DeleteRyan, So true. Mark Twain is an absolute genius!
That quote reminds me of Proverbs 17:28 - "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent."
Delete"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."
ReplyDeleteMark Twain
While reading through the quotes of Mark Twain it became apparent to me that he was not a Christian. However the above quote stuck out to me for it's profoundly Biblical ideals. I think the reason for this is that God, "installed" in the human nature a since of what is right and wrong. Obviously Twain recognized the importance of forgiveness. I like this quote because it applies so well to our every day lives. It shows us that we have a responsibility to forgive those who have harmed us. The question this quotes asks is. Are we leaving a sweet smell on the heals of those who hurt us?
Stephen, what a great thought! I got the same vibe (about Twain not being a Christian). Yet he still had God's moral law imprinted on his heart! He had a great way with words and this quote is a beautiful picture of forgiveness for Christians.
DeleteNice analysis there Stephen. I love how God has his fingerprints all over, in the world and even in us. So do you believe that people, in their hearts no matter how passionate they are about something still feel that fingerprint God gave, telling them whether it is right or wrong.
Delete"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing, it was here first." ~Mark Twain
ReplyDeleteReading through all of the quotes by Mark Twain I realized that I would really have liked this guy! He seems extremely pragmatic in his thinking, he dislikes government, and he can't stand it when people say stupid stuff. This guy is the stuff of legends. ;) But anyway, this quote really designated with me because of its pragmatic nature. I am a very proactive decisive person that enjoys ensuring that everything I do has a purpose. This quote shows the importance of living a proactive life. Blessings aren't going to be "showered down on you" for no reason at all. You need to be purposeful in your life if you want to succeed.
Pragmatic. And yet he liked literature.... I wonder why? :)
Delete“Dying man couldn't make up his mind which place to go to -- both have their advantages, ‘heaven for climate, hell for company!’” ~ Mark Twain's Notebooks and Journals, vol. 3
ReplyDeleteMark Twain seems to think that people in heaven are stuck-up goodie-two shoes. If someone gets to heaven, it will not be because of that! He also overlooks the fact that there will be no “company” in hell. Friends and companions are good things. Nothing good can or will ever exist in that place of torment – only utter misery and loneliness.
It reminds me of the modern idea of heaven. In the same way, everyone today seems to think of heaven as dull and humdrum, a place where you have to wear white and sit around playing harps. There is nothing in the Bible that says any such thing! Instead we get this picture, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…” (Revelation 21:4-8). Just being continually in God’s presence will be amazing, and that isn’t the half of heaven. Mark Twain and most Americans today need to read the Bible and rethink their notions of the hereafter.
And yet I think his point is missed. He's probably reflecting the initial evil in everyone, and that we would know more people in heaven than hell. It's an admission that no one really tries to get to heaven, and people will just live their lives and end with a "see you in hell Bob". It's actually a pretty sad picture.
Delete*know more people in Hell than Heaven. Sorry I mixed those up.
Delete“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing you can do is keep your mind young.” –Mark Twain
ReplyDeleteA desire to learn and grow is the defining feature of many of the most intelligent, innovative, and influential people this world has seen. Interestingly, those who continue learning also seem to have a greater passion for life along with their desire for knowledge. As they continue in their quest for greater knowledge, these people also “keep their minds young,” as Twain wrote. Using one’s mind keeps it active and agile, and the love of learning is incredibly effective in “keeping a mind young.” Regardless of their physical age, people have the ability to maintain a youthful mind and a positive outlook on life by simply choosing to continually pursue knowledge. Personally, I agree with Twain that “keeping your mind young” is incredibly important, although I would disagree with the idea that it is the greatest thing you can do. Although useful and important, prioritizing the pursuit of knowledge over character can lead to many mistakes.
Interesting point. I think I agree with your last thought to a point. Often the pursuit of knowledge lead to the development of character. Especially if the knowledge you are pursuing is truth (which in my opinion is true knowledge and in many cases they are very closely related.)
Delete"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear." ~Mark Twain
ReplyDeleteCourage is one of the most respected character traits around the world. We see this in history, literature, movies and current events. People get awards for being courageous and some of our most beloved characters displayed courage at one point or another. The Bible says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." As Mark Twain pointed out courage is not the absence of fear but the resistance and mastery of fear. I really like this quote because it says that anyone can be courageous and that being courageous doesn't mean we can be afraid. As humans we are always going to be afraid but we have the choice of trusting God and resisting/mastering our fear. When we do that then we have become courageous.
The Unknown is me...Lauren. I wasn't signed into my google account.
DeleteNice analysis, Lauren! This reminds me of After Earth!
Delete“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.”~ Mark Twain
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother is the sweetest person in the whole wide world! She is less than five feet tall, cares about every one she meets, and is constantly smiling. The people that she meets always remember her. She has friends at the grocery store, the gas station, Chick-Fil-A, and Cracker Barrel, and I believe it’s because she is so joyful all the time. We are naturally attracted to energetic, happy people. Smiles can turn people’s whole days around. How awful would it be to work at Wal-Mart for eight hours straight serving grumpy, rushed, and demanding customers? As Christians, I think we should be especially encouraging and sweet to everyone we meet. A simple smile can make someone feel good inside. Mark Twain had it right when he said that we should have “smile wrinkles”. Let’s be honest, frowns are not at all attractive. If we are going to have wrinkles, they might as well be happy.
I think Mark Twain was a HORRIBLE writer. Just kidding! Just kidding! Just kidding! I actually think Mark Twain was a great author, but what I love about him is his witty quotes especially this one,
ReplyDelete“A man's character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation.” – Mark Twain
Even though just kidding isn’t really an adjective I think this quote can apply to all words in a person’s conversation. From personal experience, you all probably now that I say just kidding a heck of a lot. This shows my character in the fact that I don’t like to have people mad at or dislike me, so in order to soothe and hard feelings, I try to say just kidding. Another example is my use of words and phrases, such as Gosh, Geez, and What the heck, etc. These words show my readiness to express my thoughts and feelings. I want others to know what I’m feeling and don’t care to hide them (Which can be very bad sometimes). Both of these examples really show my character just as Mark Twain said, and now y’all now a lot more about me. So gosh are you satisfied yet. Just Kidding! (I should stop now)
HUNTER! YOU GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK!
Delete"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way."
ReplyDeleteAside from this being hilariously entertaining to watch, the message here is simple: anyone can gain incredible wisdom from experience. If you try to carry a cat by the tail, you end up looking like Sylvester after having been blown up by dynamite. (In his case though, he ever learns from his mistakes, because he's a cartoon goofball.) Mark Twain speaks wisely here and I recognize that I can learn volumes from things that have happened to me personally, and learn things I can never realize from, say, just hearing about something. This metaphor is great for a funny mental visual, and as a great metaphor to think about.
This quote is so true. Sometimes the only way we learn things is by doing it the hard way!
Delete"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of this quote is that it applies not just to age, but also to every other problem a person could have. If one simply doesn't care about the issue that they're going through, then it won't be a big deal. Then when you're not completely focused on that issue, you're able to think about bigger, more important things.
I think it's safe to assume that everyone has been stressed at one point or another in their lives. But according to this quote, all of that stress and anxiety was unnecassary.
There should be limits to this reasoning, though. For example, if a student has finals week coming up, it's probably not the best choice to "not mind" so much as to not study at all. On the contrary, study a ton! Just don't get super stressed out about it.
Sooo true! I can thing of at least a dozen times when I worked myself up over nothing.
Delete"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."
ReplyDeleteThis is so funny. Its witty because at the end he sort of personifies the earth and makes a petty 5 year old argument. It is also profound and relevant because so many people get upset when they don't get their way.
Aw man! I'm so sorry. Can't believe I just totally forgot about this assignment until now. So sorry for not blogging
ReplyDelete