Author: Mark Twain
Story: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Characterization:
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Smiley: Smiley is characterized as a devoted gambler, enthusiastic and overly confident in his abilities. Twain uses indirect characterization by depicting Smiley's actions—his obsessive training of the frog and how he bets on nearly anything, showcasing his gullibility and relentless optimism.
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The Frog: Smiley's frog is indirectly characterized through its actions during the race. The frog is an embodiment of Smiley's own personality—seemingly ordinary but capable of extraordinary feats (jumping). It illustrates the idea that appearances can be deceiving.
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The Dog: The dog is portrayed indirectly through its interactions with Smiley. It is characterized as a participant in Smiley’s gambling schemes, but it ultimately serves as a foil to the frogs, showing the randomness and humor present in the story.
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The Stranger: The stranger is characterized as cunning and deceptive. Twain indirectly reveals his character through his actions—he plays Smiley by pretending not to know anything about frogs, which culminates in the frog race. He embodies the theme of trickery that runs throughout the tale.
Setting:
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The Town: The small mining town of Angel's Camp in California during the gold rush era contributes to the story's quirky atmosphere. It emphasizes a sense of community where stories of bizarre challenges and competitions are common.
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The Saloon: The saloon serves as a social hub where locals gather to exchange tales and engage in gambling. It is integral to establishing the setting of a culture driven by bets and bravado.
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The Race: The race occurs in an informal, casual environment that reflects the community's laid-back attitude toward competition and chance. The setting plays into the humorous undertones of the story.
Plot:
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Exposition: The story begins with an introduction to the narrator visiting Angel's Camp and hearing about a man named Jim Smiley, known for his gambling.
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Rising Action: The narrator listens as Smiley recounts his various gambling exploits, emphasizing how he would bet on anything and everything, including his frog.
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Climax: The climax occurs when Smiley and the stranger engage in the frog-jumping contest. Smiley confidently prepares his frog, only to be betrayed by the stranger’s trickery.
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Falling Action: After the contest, Smiley discovers that the stranger has filled his frog with quail shot, rendering it unable to jump. This moment reveals the con and irony of the situation.
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Resolution: The story concludes with Smiley's realization that he has been outsmarted, leaving the reader with a sense of humor about the absurdity of his trust in others.
Author: Edgar Allan Poe
Poem: The Raven
Characterization:
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The Narrator: The narrator is characterized as a melancholy and tormented figure. His profound grief over the loss of Lenore, combined with his descent into madness, is revealed through his thoughts, emotions, and the chilling atmosphere of the poem. His direct and indirect characterization encapsulates an intense longing and despair.
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The Raven: The raven is described as a dark, ominous figure. Its repetitive "Nevermore" serves as both a direct and indirect characterization, symbolizing unending sorrow and the finality of death. The raven embodies the narrator’s guilt and the impossibility of escaping his grief.
Setting:
- The Room: The poem is set in a dark, lonely chamber at midnight, which creates an eerie and foreboding atmosphere. It symbolizes the mind of the narrator, filled with shadows of memory and loss. The setting enhances the themes of isolation and despair.
Plot:
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Exposition: The poem opens with the narrator reflecting on his sorrow and loss as he attempts to find solace in books late at night, introducing his emotional state and the looming sense of dread.
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Rising Action: The tension builds as the narrator hears a tapping sound and discovers the raven perched at his door. His curiosity is piqued, and he begins to question the bird.
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Climax: The climax of the poem occurs when the raven enters the room, and the narrator demands to know the truth about his lost Lenore. The raven’s repeated "Nevermore" becomes a chilling refrain, asserting the permanence of loss.
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Falling Action: The narrator becomes increasingly agitated as he grapples with the bird’s responses, spiraling further into madness. His emotions intensify as he realizes the futility of his hopes for reunion with Lenore.
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Resolution: The poem concludes with the narrator accepting the raven’s cryptic message, resigning to the idea that he will be consumed by despair. The finality of "Nevermore" underscores the inescapable nature of his grief.
Comparison of Literary Styles
Both Mark Twain and Edgar Allan Poe utilize distinct literary styles that reflect their themes and subjects.
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Language and Imagery: Twain's language is colloquial and full of humor, conjuring vivid images of life in a small mining town. His playful use of dialect captures the quirky nature of his characters and the absurdity of the plot. In contrast, Poe employs rich, gothic language that evokes a sense of dread and melancholy. His imagery is dark and haunting, immersing the reader in the narrator's sorrow and madness.
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Characterization Techniques: Twain relies on both direct and indirect characterization to flesh out his characters, using dialogue and actions to reveal their personalities and motivations. Poe, meanwhile, creates layered characters through introspective thoughts and the symbolism of the raven, allowing the reader to infer the profound emotional states of his characters.
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Setting Embodiment: The settings in Twain's work are lively and reflective of community dynamics, filled with humor and spectacle. In contrast, Poe's settings amplify the psychological horror and isolation experienced by the narrator, serving as a reflection of inner turmoil.
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Plot Structure: The narratives differ significantly, with Twain's plot driven by humor and a lighthearted challenge, while Poe's poem builds toward an intense emotional climax that delves into themes of loss and despair. Twain's resolution is one of ironic humor, whereas Poe's is that of bleak acceptance.
By examining these two authors, we gain insight into how distinct styles and techniques shape the reader’s experience, contributing to the richness of American literature.
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