Elements - "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"

“The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” Mark Twain

Plot

Characters

· Jim Smiley:

· Stranger:

· Simon Wheeler:

· Narrator:

· Dan’l Webster:

· Andrew Jackson:

Setting

· Place:

Point of view

· ____ person

Style, Tone, & Language

· Frame story:

· Tall-tale:

Theme

· Cunning and cleverness:

· Competition:

· Lies and deceit:

· Contrasting Regions (East vs. West):

Symbolism & Imagery

· Andrew Jackson:

· Dan’l Webster:

Questions

· Why is the story set in a mining town? What was the historical significance of mining towns to the development of the West, and what kind of people did they attract?

· Why do you think Wheeler is so interested in getting people to listen to his tall tales? Does he just like to hear himself talk, or does he think they can learn something from him?