Mark Twain _amp; Humor

							           Unit EQ
  How does realism reflect
cultural beliefs, expectations
        and changes?
Mark Twain’s
 Language




       ?
           Brainstorm
• Think of some words that are
  pronounced differently or have
  different meanings in different
  places. For example, oil. OR For
  example, Full Stop (England) OR
  Period (US) (.).
     Quick Language Quiz
• People who live in the same part of
  the country develop their own ways
  of speaking or dialects. Dialects
  differ from each other mainly in
  pronunciation and in words used for
  everyday things.
• Number 1-10 on a blank sheet of
  paper to take this quiz.
Would you call an animal with
       a strong smell a…
  – Polecat (3)
  – Skunk (2)


• Write the number next to your
  number 1
A round cake fried in a pan
           is a
  –   Batter cake (3)
  –   Flannel cake (2)
  –   Griddle cake (1)
  –   Pancake (0)


• Write the number next to your
  number 2
        Fill in the blank
 That’s _________ across the
               river.
  – Plumb (3)
  – Clean (2)
  – Clear (1)


• Write the number next to your
  number 3
         Fill in the blank
 I’ll be sick______________.
  – At my stomach (3)
  – To my stomach (1)


• Write the number next to your
  number 4
    Greasy is pronounced
  – Grēz’•ēٜ(3)
  – Grēs’•ē (1)


• Write the number next to your
  number 5
 Fifteen minutes before ten
            is…
  – Quarter till ten (3)
  – Quarter to ten (2)
  – Quarter of ten (1)


• Write the number next to your
  number 6
The title Mrs. Sounds like…
  – miz’əz (3)
  – mis’ez (1)


• Write the number next to your
  number 7
 An insect that glows at night
              is…
  – June bug (3)
  – Lightening bug (2)
  – Firefly (1)


• Write the number next to your
  number 8
A metal container that carries
          water is…
  – bucket (3)
  – pail (1)


• Write the number next to your
  number 9
      An ear of corn as…
  – shucks (3)
  – husks (1)


• Write the number next to your
  number 10
   Now, add up your all your
  numbers so you get a total.
• If your score is 15 points or fewer,
  your dialect is basically northern
• If your score is between 16 and 23
  your dialect in the Midlands
• If your score is 24 or higher your
  dialect comes from the South.

• Crazy eh?
Language helps shape you into
     the person you are.
• G’day, Mate!
• Howdy, Partner!
• Aloha, Makamaka!
Mark Twain realized this early on in his
writing and used it to create a realistic
 style that is relatable to how people
          really communicate

• Instead of using the formal language
  that is barely recognizable to the
  average person, Twain used
  language that is familiar and
  recognizable. He wrote just as one
  would speak. Sounds simple, right?
  Not so much.
     The Confusion Factor
• Because we are not used to seeing
  our conversations in print, when we
  read this language, it is difficult to
  decipher. We must always remember
  that it is the sounds that are
  important, not necessarily the
  grammar and spelling.
            Twain’s Language
               Technique
• Colloquial Language: The everyday language we use in
  conversation. It is sometimes ungrammatical, and it may
  contain slang words and phrases. It varies from place to
  place and among ethnic groups.

• Dialect: the way of speaking and writing that is particular to
  a specific region of the country. Every dialect differs from
  every other dialect in the details of its vocabulary, grammar
  and pronunciation. Writers often use dialect to make their
  characters seem realistic.

• Regionalism: Words or phrases peculiar to a particular
  region. In literature regionalism is the tendency among
  certain authors to write about specific geographical areas.
  Regional writers present the distinct culture of an area,
  including its speech, customs, beliefs and history.
 The “incorrectness” is actually
            correct.
You do not know about me if about read without
• You don’t knowyou have notme The Adventures
    Mark have most of a book by the name
byyouTwain, and read it was true, even though there may
of Tom Sawyer, but that does not matter. That book was written

   of The Adventures of
have been a few made up parts as well. Tom Sawyer;

   but that ain’t no matter. That book
   was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he
   told the truth, mainly. There was
   things which he stretched, but
   mainly he told to truth (Twain 3).
              Reflect
1. Why would Twain use this language
   rather than using formal language?
2. How does colloquialisms/regional
   dialect make the reading “down to
   earth” and “like water,” meant for
   everyone?
 Mark Twain &
    Humor
 The Notorious Jumping
Frog of Calaveras County
       Elements of Humor
• Exaggeration: To represent as greater than is
  actually the case; overstate
• Hyperbole: Extreme exaggeration
• Irony
   – Verbal: saying the opposite of what is meant.
   – Situation: the opposite of what is expected to happen
     occurs
   – Dramatic: you know something the character doesn’t
• Dialect: regional or social variety of a language
  distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or
  vocabulary, especially a variety of speech differing
  from the standard literary language or speech
  pattern of the culture in which it exists
• Understatement:a statement that is restrained in
  ironic contrast to what might have been said
   – Meiosis: understatement for rhetorical effect (especially
     when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary);
     "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was
     very upset'
• Parody: Mocking an original work
 Interpret the following
        passage
• by putting it in your own words.
  Underline the words or phrases
  that add to the regional dialect.

 …he ‘peared surprised, and then
  he looked sorter discouraged-
  like, and didn’t try no more to
    win the fight, and so he got
         shucked out bad.
             Interpreting dialect:
              What do each of these terms in
              regional dialect mean in Standard
              English? Copy and complete the chart
              in your notes. Prepare to be called on.
              You may use your book as a guide to
              find the context of the word.

Regional      St. Looey   Chaw   Yaller   bannanner   thish-yer
  Dialect


Standard
   English
            Structure
• Envelope/frame narrative
             Round 1
• Follow along as we read “The
  Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras
  County”
• Complete the frame structure
  worksheet in your packet
   Round 2: Draft a thesis
• Write a thesis statement answering
  the following Essential question:
  – What elements of humor are most
    effective in “The Notorious Jumping Frog
    of Calaveras County”?
       Elements of Humor
• Exaggeration: To represent as greater than is
  actually the case; overstate
• Hyperbole: Extreme exaggeration
• Irony
   – Verbal: saying the opposite of what is meant.
   – Situation: the opposite of what is expected to happen
     occurs
   – Dramatic: you know something the character doesn’t
• Dialect: regional or social variety of a language
  distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or
  vocabulary, especially a variety of speech differing
  from the standard literary language or speech
  pattern of the culture in which it exists
• Understatement:a statement that is restrained in
  ironic contrast to what might have been said
   – Meiosis: understatement for rhetorical effect (especially
     when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary);
     "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was
     very upset'
• Parody: Mocking an original work
              SAMPLE
• Exaggeration, irony and dialect
  are the most effective elements of
  humor in “The Notorious Jumping
  Frog of Calaveras County”.
    Round 3: Interpret and
           support
• List specific examples from the story
  that support your thesis. You may use a
  bullet format.
• Ideally you should make approximately 3-
  4 claims that have 2-3 pieces of evidence
  to support them.
                   Sample
                  Evidence to support the     Explanation of example
Claim about                  claim

  the story       Examples, quotes, textual
                          references

The dialect of “he was the                    This quote refers to Jim
                 curiousest man                  Smiley’s love for
  “The                                           betting. Smiley bet on
                 about always
  Notorious                                      anything for the thrill
                 betting on                      of betting and sheer
  Jumping        anything that                   intoxication of
  Frog of        turned up you                   competition. This adds
  Calaveras      ever see”                       humor because his
                                                 speech is not what you
  County” adds                                   would expect from a
  humor                                          great literary piece.