Mark Twain’s setting in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog Of Calaveras County” , a folktale story he wrote illustrated as “Angel’s Camp” a gold mining community in the mid-19th century. The story takes place in a mining town in the west where it is populated primarily by men, many of them looking for their own fortune. A gambler, “Jim Smiley” a man who tricks people in bets for money; however, wins every bet he makes. One day Smiley gets out-tricked for the first time when he makes a bet with a stranger to see who’s frog can outjump each other. While Smiley looks for a frog at the swamp for the stranger who later during that time gets a teaspoon of quail, and filled him up near up to his chin. As the jump happened Smiley’s frog didn’t jump while
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For example, the narrator says “Dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Angel’s.” This illustrates that this was long ago in mining camp “dilapidated” meaning in a state of disrepair. The mining camp exposes that the men who work are filthy and the town does not have a good appearance. Not to mention, Twain describes how rural people found entertainment during this time. For instance, Smiley says “I’ve got my opinion, I’ll risk forty dollars that he can outjump any frog in Calaveras County.” Previously mentioned, this exposes that “Smiley” is betting money because he wants more fortune. During this time people would gamble and found it entertaining to do because the people would bet anything to earn money. In addition, Twain contrasts education between the West and East. For example, the narrator says “Turned him upside down, and he belched out a handful of shot. And then he see how it was, and he was the maddest man he sat the frog down and took out after that feller, but he never ketched him.” This reveals Smiley appears to be lucky, it is partly that he is able to win bets. He finally gets outsmarted by a stranger, who beats him through cheating. Furthermore, the story poses a moral distinction between honest and dishonest cleverness. It also shows that you don’t necessarily have to be educated and well spoken to be clever, nor is a good education a defense against getting
For example, the narrator says “Dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Angel’s.” This illustrates that this was long ago in mining camp “dilapidated” meaning in a state of disrepair. The mining camp exposes that the men who work are filthy and the town does not have a good appearance. Not to mention, Twain describes how rural people found entertainment during this time. For instance, Smiley says “I’ve got my opinion, I’ll risk forty dollars that he can outjump any frog in Calaveras County.” Previously mentioned, this exposes that “Smiley” is betting money because he wants more fortune. During this time people would gamble and found it entertaining to do because the people would bet anything to earn money. In addition, Twain contrasts education between the West and East. For example, the narrator says “Turned him upside down, and he belched out a handful of shot. And then he see how it was, and he was the maddest man he sat the frog down and took out after that feller, but he never ketched him.” This reveals Smiley appears to be lucky, it is partly that he is able to win bets. He finally gets outsmarted by a stranger, who beats him through cheating. Furthermore, the story poses a moral distinction between honest and dishonest cleverness. It also shows that you don’t necessarily have to be educated and well spoken to be clever, nor is a good education a defense against getting