Realism/Regionalism/Naturalism

About whom does the narrator ask Wheeler? About whom does Wheeler speak?

He's asking about Leonidas Smiley but Wheeler speaks of Jim Smiley

TLOL: What characteristics of Realism are present in this story?

Includes a lot of details, Complex ethical dilemmas presented, Characters are more important than plot, Often has the themes of: survival of the fittest and class structure & money

Who is really the main character in this story, and why?

Jim Smiley is the main character because the story is centered around about him and his story. Though Wheeler is hearing the story about Jim, Jim gives the plot and the lesson of the story. His character is the main focus.

What kind of person is Jim Smiley, as Wheeler presents him?

Jim is a talkative, stubborn, and curious person. He has high expectations for himself and his accomplishments, which is shown throughout the story. He is also portrayed to be lucky in some sense.

The narrator tells us that Wheeler bored him to death. Do you think Twain expects the reader to have the same reaction? How can you tell?

No, because it is supposed to be humorous

How did regionalism come about?

People feared that local folkways and traditions would be soon forgotten, so writers of realism set their stories in specific American regions, rushing to capture the "local color" before it was lost

TLOL: What characteristics of Naturalism are present in this story?

Presents a DARKER view of the world, Nature is indifferent (we are NOT in harmony with nature; instead, nature is a force to be reckoned with)

What did Smiley train his frog to do? Summarize what the stranger did to the frog and Smiley's reaction?

Smiley trained his frog to jump far on command. He made a bet with the stranger that his frog can jump farther than any other frog. When Smiley went to get a frog for the stranger, the stranger cheated by putting quail shot into the frogs mouth so it would be weighed down. Smiley then came back and when the frogs jumped, Smileys frog did not jump so he lost the bet. He then realized what occurred but could not find the man.

How did Smiley's bullpup surprise people? What eventually became of the dog?

Smiley's dog was a good fighter and would always go for the hingleg. Although, his dog lost to the dog with no legs and died

The arctic environment (lines 101-123)

The harsh environment has the power to hurt you.

Why do you think people love to tell tall tales—and listen to them?

They entertain and are exaggerated, which make it interesting to listen to and can intrigue the reader and listener.

Describe the conditions of life for the tribe:

They experienced hardships such as famine and bad weather conditions. There was often the threat of wild animals such as wolves attacking tribes members. If a person cannot keep up with the tribe, they must be left behind. Resources are scarce.

The tribes connection "to the earth" (lines 57-67)

We are merely just part of nature, not with it. We depend on nature for food and shelter. It is a powerful force.

Regionalism

an element in literature that conveys a realistic portrayal of a specific geographical locale, using the locale and its influences as a major part of the plot

does it focus more on characters or plot?

characters

is it more descriptive or symbolic

descriptive

With what adjectives does the unnamed narrator describe Wheeler and Wheeler's reminiscences in the first paragraph?

good natured and garrulous

How has he expected to die?

He thought he was going to freeze to death due to the storm.

According to Wheeler's opening paragraph, about what was Jim Smiley "the curiousest man"?

He is always ready to make a bet or experiment with things around him

How does Koskoosh die?

He is eaten by wolves.

Characteristics of Realism

-describes real life activities -tells it like it is -includes a lot of details -complex ethical dilemmas presented -characters are more important than plot -often had the themes of: -survival of the fittest (Darwin) -class structure and money

Most popular American tall tales

-Paul Bunyan -Davy Crockett

Characteristics of Naturalism

-Presents a DARKER view of the world -Nature is indifferent (we are NOT in harmony with nature; instead, nature is a force to be reckoned with) -Includes the themes of fate, violence, indifference, and survival (pessimistic) -Depicts characters whose lives are shaped by forces they can't understand or control -Aims at social reform

How is regionalism achieved?

-Stereotypical characters particular to that region -Regional dialect establishes credibility and authenticity of regional characters (local color) -Colloquial style - deliberate use of bad grammar and misspellings to imitate the regional dialect, which establishes credibility and authenticity of regional characters (captures "local color") -Setting/Topography reflects the time and place as only a native could write it -Customs & Values presented readers a glimpse of what life is like in other territories

Characteristics of Tall Tales

-Uniquely American story form -Often has a narrator who is an outsider who learns something from the rural locals (urban vs. country) -Main character is larger-than-life, or superhuman in some way (Many tall tales are based on actual people or a composite of actual people.) -Every-day language is used (colloquialism and dialect) -Problem that is solved in a humorous or exaggerated way -Exaggerated details that describe things larger than they are

Naturalism

A nineteenth-century literary movement that was an extension of realism and that claimed to portray life exactly as it was.

Realism Definition

A reaction against Romanticism and Transcendentalism, a representation of reality

What was the fate of Koskoosh and all humans?

Death

CFJOCC: What characteristics of Realism are present in this story?

Ethical Dilemmas, Real Life events, Character focus, Narrative, Details

CJFOCC: What characteristics of the Tall Tale are present in this story?

Exaggeration, Good-Natured feel, Everyday language, Main character is larger than life

Who wrote "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"?

Mark Twain

Does Wheeler's account of what happened to Smiley's dog make sense? Does it matter? Why or why not?

No, because it is just for humor purposes

What the tribe sees as "the task of life" (lines 73-85)

You need to reproduce and have offspring because if you don't your heritage and culture will no longer exist.

local color

a term applied to fiction or poetry which tends to place special emphasis on a particular setting, including its customs, clothing, dialect and landscape.