9yankee

A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR’S COURT

Journals – Choose 15 and write at least one pages for each, unless otherwise specified. Identify the journal number on each page.

1. Where in the story do we see technological advanced that increase a leader’s power but do not improve human nature or increase a leader’s ability to
lead responsibly? Cite cases.
2. Compare and contrast Hank and Arthur’s leadership abilities. Which is better qualified to lead? Support your answer.
3. (counts as 5 journals) Find at least two places in the story that satirize each of the following through sarcasm, purposeful under or over statement,
and/or distortion of facts to highlight a flaw. Discuss how the incidents poke fun at the institutions involved. Mention the flaws in the institutions that Twain
is stressing through satire. Write at least one page on each topic: The Church of England, Nobility, Germany, Humans in general, and Knights Errand
4. List ways in which Twain describes Camelot as less than the idyllic place described in movies and books.
5. Compare and contrast Hank and Merlin. Note their “powers”, control/influence, and responsibility for the welfare of the people.
6. What are Arthur’s views on slavery, rights of nobility, the church, etc.
7. Compare and contrast how Arthur is seen by his people (or thinks he is seen) and how he is seen by Hank.
8. Discuss at least three instances where Twain expresses his opinion of the overly powerful church that favors nobility and puts down the common man.
9. Why does Twain end the story with a terrible war? What is he saying about the nature of humanity?
10. Discuss the role of technology in the story. What is Twain saying about role of technology in improving the quality of life? Cite examples and apply to
what we see today as improving life through technology that might, if not controlled, cause the opposite.
11. A muckraking novel is one in which the author uses a story to educate his readers on what he sees as social ills and conditions he believes need to be
changed. Is Yankee a muckraking novel or not? Cite examples and reasoning.
12. One of the themes that Twain expresses is that of man’s inhumanity towards man, injustice, and barbarity, which all still exist no matter how
technologically advanced and civilized we appear to be. Find and discuss examples of this theme.
13. List at least three incidents from the novel that are humorous and discuss the way that Twain uses humor to further understanding and keep readers
entertained at the same time.
14. THE BOSS is encouraged by Arthur to go on a Quest. Discuss the discomfort that THE BOSS experiences and suffering that he endures that are most
amusing to you.
15. Some critics believe that Hank and Morgan Le Fay are similar characters because they both seek control over the common people for their own
purposes. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Cite examples to support your answer.
16. Discuss whether or not the chapter THE OGRE’S CASTLE is anticlimactic. Does the building suspense and interest in the event, only to see it
revealed as trivial lead to spoiled anticipation or humor? Why? How would you rewrite this chapter?
17. A hero is generally defined as the central character who possesses noble qualities such as self-sacrifice, courage, and wisdom. Is Hank a hero?
Support with evidence.
18. Exaggeration is a technique used in satire. Twain sometimes exaggerates a character’s behavior to satirize a segment of society or a person, or to
stress an idea or theme. For example, some critics believe that the poor woman and her family in the chapter THE SMALLPOX HUT are used to overstate
the misery of the commoners living during this time. List the miseries the family suffers and discuss the theme Twain is illustrating by heaping all of them
onto one family.
19. In the chapter THE TRAGEDY OF THE MANOR HOUSE, what does Twain express as his opinion of the people’s abilities in governing themselves?
Cite examples.
20. In the chapter SIXTH-CENTURY POLITICAL ECONOMY, critics believe that Twain was furthering his own political opinions. What are they? Cite
examples.
21. In the chapter THE PITIFUL INCIDENT, what is Twain saying about the horrors of slavery?
22. In what way is it ironic that Hank uses violence to end Knight-errantry? What do Hank’s actions say about his character and humanity in general?
23. List at least eight changes that Hank made in England in three years. What two is he still trying to complete as the story comes to a close?
24. Most incidents in the novel are written to entertain the reader, but the incidents also illustrate Twain’s political views about the Church of England,
monarchies, slavery, technology, and the nature of man. Cite incidents to support the statement: Technology may advance and change, but the nature of
man remains the same.
25. Some critics believe that Merlin represents man’s belief in superstition and magic while Hank represents the power of man’s technology. What do you
think Twain is saying about th power of superstition and technology in our lives?
26. At the end of his life, what is most important to Hank? Discuss how he came to this conclusion. What do you feel is the most important thing in your
life? Do you agree with Hank? Why or why not?