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Situational Irony
Chapter 15: Sandy’s Tale
Explanation and Analysis:
The novel is presented in the first-person narrative voice, with the protagonist, Hank Morgan, serving as the storyteller. Hank's voice is infused with his own opinions and commentary on events, adding depth and perspective to the narrative. Twain's trademark humor and satire are prevalent throughout the novel; he uses wit and irony to lampoon the customs, beliefs, and institutions of both the medieval world and his own time. Twain's humor is often sardonic, and he employs it to critique social, political, and religious issues.
Twain changes writing styles occasionally throughout the novel to reflect a change in genre. In Chapter 26, for example, the novel's style changes when Twain presents an excerpt from the newspaper Hank begins in Camelot:
The cordial thanks of the Hosannah office are due, from editor down to devil, to the ever courteous and thoughtful Lord High Steward of the Palace’s Thrid Assistant Valet for several sauce † s of ice crEam of a quality calculated to make the eyes of the recipients humid with gratitude ; and it done it. When this ■ administration wants to chalk up a desirable name for early promotion , the Hosannah would like a chance to sudgest.
Note how the passage is full of misspellings and typos. This is purposeful on Twain's part, and is an instance of humor that underscores the difference between Hank's knowledge and that of the men he hires to work on the newspaper.
Twain also often uses dialect to reflect social and cultural differences between the 19th and 6th centuries, often for humorous effect. Twain makes these differences clear for the reader through Hank and Sandy's conversations, for example. In a humorous scene from Chapter 15, Sandy hears the phrase "hang out" for the first time and ruminates on its meaning aloud:
Hang they out—hang they out—where hang—where do they hang out; eh, right so; where do they hang out. Of a truth the phrase hath a fair and winsome grace, and is prettily worded withal. I will repeat it anon and anon in mine idlesse, whereby I may peradventure learn it. Where do they hang out. Even so! Already it falleth trippingly from my tongue.
Once again, Twain underscores the cultural differences between 6th-century England and 19th-century America to poke fun at the old traditions of medieval England. Sandy's elevated speech seems silly and meaningless, as does her ignorance of the phrase's meaning.
Overall, Twain combines humor, satire, social commentary, and vivid storytelling to craft a thought-provoking and entertaining narrative. His ability to seamlessly blend these elements contributes to the novel's enduring appeal and literary significance.
Related Themes:
Chapter 26: The First Newspaper
Explanation and Analysis:
The novel is presented in the first-person narrative voice, with the protagonist, Hank Morgan, serving as the storyteller. Hank's voice is infused with his own opinions and commentary on events, adding depth and perspective to the narrative. Twain's trademark humor and satire are prevalent throughout the novel; he uses wit and irony to lampoon the customs, beliefs, and institutions of both the medieval world and his own time. Twain's humor is often sardonic, and he employs it to critique social, political, and religious issues.
Twain changes writing styles occasionally throughout the novel to reflect a change in genre. In Chapter 26, for example, the novel's style changes when Twain presents an excerpt from the newspaper Hank begins in Camelot:
The cordial thanks of the Hosannah office are due, from editor down to devil, to the ever courteous and thoughtful Lord High Steward of the Palace’s Thrid Assistant Valet for several sauce † s of ice crEam of a quality calculated to make the eyes of the recipients humid with gratitude ; and it done it. When this ■ administration wants to chalk up a desirable name for early promotion , the Hosannah would like a chance to sudgest.
Note how the passage is full of misspellings and typos. This is purposeful on Twain's part, and is an instance of humor that underscores the difference between Hank's knowledge and that of the men he hires to work on the newspaper.
Twain also often uses dialect to reflect social and cultural differences between the 19th and 6th centuries, often for humorous effect. Twain makes these differences clear for the reader through Hank and Sandy's conversations, for example. In a humorous scene from Chapter 15, Sandy hears the phrase "hang out" for the first time and ruminates on its meaning aloud:
Hang they out—hang they out—where hang—where do they hang out; eh, right so; where do they hang out. Of a truth the phrase hath a fair and winsome grace, and is prettily worded withal. I will repeat it anon and anon in mine idlesse, whereby I may peradventure learn it. Where do they hang out. Even so! Already it falleth trippingly from my tongue.
Once again, Twain underscores the cultural differences between 6th-century England and 19th-century America to poke fun at the old traditions of medieval England. Sandy's elevated speech seems silly and meaningless, as does her ignorance of the phrase's meaning.
Overall, Twain combines humor, satire, social commentary, and vivid storytelling to craft a thought-provoking and entertaining narrative. His ability to seamlessly blend these elements contributes to the novel's enduring appeal and literary significance.
Related Themes:
