Twain study questions

"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," 992-95

A. How does the narrator turn the tables on the friend who sends him to Simon Wheeler?

B. How does Twain make Smiley's bets ludicrous?

C. What is the effect of Twain's personification of the race horse, the dog Andrew Jackson, and the frog Dan'l Webster?

D. Why does Twain give these animals the names of prominent Americans?

E. What is the irony in Smiley's being bested by the stranger?

F. Why wouldn't the story be as funny in modern times?

7. How does the story satirize humans and Americans?

"The War Prayer" online access

1. What is the old man's perception of war?

2. How does it differ from the rest of the congregation's?

3. What is Twain's perception and how do you know?

4. Is "The War Prayer" still applicable?

5. How is it possible that "The War Prayer" and "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" were written by the same author?

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