Passage from The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain:

Question

"Smiley was a good man in his way, though he was not a good man for a person to be around. He was always winning and talking about it, and you couldn’t do nothing without feeling like you was competing with him. I never see a man so fond of his own pet critters. I tell you, he loved that frog like it was his own son."

How does the narrator’s description of Smiley in this passage suggest a tone of irony or sarcasm?

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The narrator praises Smiley’s kindness and generosity, presenting him as a sympathetic and admirable character despite his flaws.
The narrator criticizes Smiley’s competitive nature in a direct and serious manner, without any humor or irony.
The narrator describes Smiley’s love for his frog in a sincere and heartfelt way, suggesting genuine admiration for his character.
The narrator’s comment about Smiley being “fond of his own pet critters” is exaggerated and sarcastic, implying that Smiley’s obsession with winning makes him overbearing and difficult to be around.

Answer 1

The most accurate interpretation of the narrator’s tone in the passage is:

The narrator’s comment about Smiley being “fond of his own pet critters” is exaggerated and sarcastic, implying that Smiley’s obsession with winning makes him overbearing and difficult to be around.

This choice highlights the irony in Smiley’s character — while he is described as a “good man” who loves his pets, the way the narrator presents this affection and his competitive nature suggests a deeper critique of Smiley's behavior, indicating that his obsessions overshadow his positive traits. The use of phrases like "you couldn't do nothing without feeling like you was competing with him" underscores the uncomfortable atmosphere he creates, which adds to the ironic tone.