Question

Romantic literature dominated American arts and letters up until the end of the 19th century. In "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offences" Twain discusses how Cooper's writing fails because Cooper's writing focuses more on imagination than on any sort of logic or realistic depictions.

How does Twain avoid these "literary offences" in "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and why is this avoidance significant?

Answer 1

Mark Twain avoids 'literary offences' in 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County' by using local color humor and regional dialect, thus adhering to the principles of Realism. His work reflects American life more accurately than the romanticized accounts of contemporaries like James Fenimore Cooper, marking a transformative period in American literature.

Step-by-step explanation:

In contrast to the Romantic tradition, Mark Twain is known for his realistic depiction of American life, particularly in works such as The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Twain avoids the 'literary offences' he attributes to James Fenimore Cooper by grounding his storytelling in local color humor and regional dialect, which lends authenticity to his tales. Rather than relying on imagination at the expense of logic, Twain incorporates realistic elements that may be heightened but remain plausible, reflective of the social and geographic contexts he depicts.

The avoidance of Cooper’s 'literary offences' is significant because it not only reflects Twain’s commitment to Realism but also demonstrates his skill as a humorist and satirist. His use of regional settings and characters, alongside a deep understanding of local vernacular, ensures that his depictions stay true to reality, even when he explores the more fantastic elements of his stories. This approach made Twain's work resonate with his contemporaries and has contributed to his enduring legacy in American literature.

In The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, for example, Twain uses the technique of embedding a story within a story and stylizes his tale with regional humor to entertain the reader while maintaining a level of believability. His avoidance of overly romanticized storytelling is significant as it illustrates the transformative period of American literature, where authors began to focus on the realities of American life, often incorporating issues that needed reform.

Answer 2

Answer and Explanation:

Twain avoided "literary offenses" by not mentioning these works throughout the narrative. This was significant because Twain keeps his attention on the narrative itself, specifically stimulating the themes that the narrative addresses.

In this case, instead of provoking criticism to other known works and authors, Twain highlights a narrative with themes that provoke reflections on regional differences and stereotypes, a sense of community and personal integrity.