The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

What is amusing or ironic about calling the frog modest?

Frogs don't have emotions.

Infamous (adj.)

Having a very bad reputation; disgraceful

Indifferent (adj.)

Having no particular interest

What is curious about Jim Smiley?

He can get anyone to bet on something. If not, he will be on the other side.

Why do Smiley's animals almost always win?

He cheats.

What does the narrator suspect about Leonidas W. Smiley?

He never existed.

Dilapidated (adj.)

In a state of disrepair; rundown

This story brought Mark Twain national fame. Why do you think it was so popular with the American people?

No one has heard this story before, it occurred in the west.

Enterprising (adj.)

Possessing imagination and initiative

Dialect

The distinct form of a language spoken in one geographic area or by a particular group

Why does the narrator go to see Simon Wheeler? About whom does Simon Wheeler tell his story?

The narrator goes to see Simon Wheeler to learn about Jim Smiley. Simon Wheeler tells his story to Jim Smiley.

What is the narrator's response to Wheeler's story?

The narrator thought the whole story was ridiculous.

Why does the narrator visit Simon Wheeler?

The narrator was asked to inquire about Simon Wheeler.

Why doesn't Dan'l Webster lose the contest?

The stranger puts shot gun pellets in the frog to weigh him down.

Understatement

The technique of downplaying the significance of the outlandish, often to ironic or humorous effect

What does Smiley bet the stranger?

They would have a frog jumping contest.

What can we learn from comedy?

Things are not taken seriously.

Conjecture (v.)

To guess

Tranquil (adj.)

Undisturbed; peaceful

What tale would Simon Wheeler have related about the cow if he had been given the chance?

Wheeler would bet a lot on the cow like how fast it can milk.

Local Color

Writing that brings a region alive by portraying its dress, mannerisms, customs, character types, and speech

What elements make this story humorous?

* The dog's legs are cut off * Feeding a frog metal balls * The way people spoke

How are different regions and cultures depicted in the story? Consider the language of the narrator vs. that of Wheeler.

* The way people speak * Betting on stupid things

Tall tale

A distinctively American form of storytelling featuring outlandish characters and events often with a comic effect

Hyperbole

A figurative of speech exaggerating or overstating a claim or point

What two animals besides the frog does Jim Smiley use for gambling?

A horse and a dog.

In what ways does the dog without hind legs have an advantage over Andrew Jackson?

Andrew Jackson likes to bite the back hind legs of an animal. But since the dog does not have legs, Jackson cannot fight the dog.

Garrulous (adj.)

Extremely talkative

Cavorting (adj.)

Prancing about in a playful manner