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Analysis of Mark Twain’s The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on June 1, 2021

A tall tale laced with typical Twainian humor and irony and ultimately meant not to be believed but enjoyed, Mark Twain ’s (Samuel Langhorne Clemens’s) “The Notorious [Celebrated] Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” first appeared in an 1865 issue of the Saturday Press and eventually became part of the 1875 collection Mark Twain’s Sketches, New and Old. Repeatedly published—sometimes under slightly different names—and frequently used in Twain’s lecture tours, it may have developed from an experience Twain himself had as he stayed at a mining camp and listened to the men’s stories. In spite of its deliberately far-fetched nature—for readers commence ready to hear a tale of truth, gradually begin to feel its implausibility, and finally perceive its impossibility— its protagonist, Jim Smiley, represents a human being with whom all readers can identify, for like all humans, he is fl awed, and he cannot stop his habitual behavior, no matter its consequences. Mark Twain presents him not as someone to pity or scorn, not as someone to make fun of, but rather as someone merely to recognize, for in this early tale, while Twain uses some satire, he passes no judgment, for he has not yet reached the late stage of his career and the biting cynicism that eventually colored those late works.

This early work’s biggest complication stems from its use of a double narrator: the frame narrator—a persona that adopts Mark Twain’s fictive voice and listens to the other narrator—and the Jim Smiley tale narrator—Simon Wheeler. The story even employs an allusion to epistolary form, for the frame narrator begins by explaining that a friend’s letter sent him to hunt for a friend, the Reverend Leonidas W. Smiley, and he must compose a letter of explanation to the friend who sent him seeking.

jumping frog critical thinking questions

Mark Twain/Time

But the frame narrator cannot find Leonidas W. Smiley; instead, Simon Wheeler launches into the “exasperating reminiscence” of “his infamous Jim Smiley” (1), and the frame narrator must sit politely and listen to what he considers a long, drawn-out, useless narration. This story, divided into what some consider three symbolic parts, begins with an introduction to Jim Smiley and his mare—an asthmatic beast that consistently wins races and money for Jim precisely because of her determination and in spite of her somewhat slow pace. She represents the lesson that winning results from effort and a failure to give up. Surely, Jim Smiley himself practices this motto, for no matter where he goes, he continues to try to win money.

The second part of the tale concerns another creature Smiley bets on, for Jim Smiley emerges as a devoted gambler, a risk taker who thrives on the challenge of not knowing for certain any outcome yet always calculating his ventures very carefully. Twain characterizes him through the dialogue of Simon Wheeler, who claims, “There couldn’t be no solit’ry thing mentioned but that feller’d offer to bet on it. . . . You couldn’t fetch nothing for him to bet on but he’d match you” (2, 4). Andrew Jackson, a dog absent his two hind legs, serves as the second animal upon whom Jim Smiley bets, and this dog, too, wins every race and does so by biting the hind legs of his competitors—at least until he faces a competitor just like him and suddenly quits and dies. This racer, then, represents natural talent, for his uncoached strategy demonstrates a kind of outwitting cleverness. He personifies Jim’s own talent for betting wisely.

Smiley does claim, however, that he has coached and educated his third competitor, a frog named Dan’l Webster, in hopping. He carries Dan’l around in a box wherever he goes and repeatedly bets that Dan’l can out-jump any frog in Calaveras County. A stranger to town claims he would like to challenge that bet, but he has no frog. Jim Smiley, of course, volunteers to get him a frog, and while he does so, he leaves Dan’l with the stranger. In an ironic twist, the stranger “filled him full of quail-shot—filled him pretty near up to his chin” (5), so Dan’l cannot move, never mind jump, when race time arrives, and the stranger wins with his frog. Once Jim Smiley discovers the trick, he chases the stranger, but he never catches him. The frog, then, represents education, for through him, Jim Smiley gains a lesson about trust and about never truly having a sure bet. Nonetheless, as the story ends, Jim Smiley sets off, ready to gamble again.

Some would say Jim Smiley’s antics, though supposedly calculated by Twain merely as entertainment, actually do deal with the themes of human trickery and of life’s offering of no sure bets, of nothing that can be taken for granted. Perhaps Jim Smiley himself is a little bit mare, a little bit dog, and a little bit jumping frog, but he will never quit gambling no matter how much money he loses.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Branch, Edgar M. “My Voice Is Still for Setchell: A Background Study of ‘Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog.’ ” PMLA 82 (December 1967): 591–601. Budd, Louis J., ed. Critical Essays on Mark Twain, 1867– 1910. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1982. Camfield, Gregg. Sentimental Twain: Samuel Clemens in the Maze of Moral Philosophy. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1994. Knoper, Randall. Mark Twain in the Culture of Performance. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1995. McMahan, Elizabeth. Critical Approaches to Mark Twain’s Short Stories. Port Washington, N.Y.: Kennikat Press, 1981. Rodgers, Paul C., Jr. “Artemus Ward and Mark Twain’s ‘Jumping Frog.’ ” Nineteenth-Century Fiction 28 (December 1973): 273–286. Shell, Mark. “ ‘Prized His Mouth Open’: Mark Twain’s ‘The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’: In English, Then in French, Then Clawed Back into Civilized Language Once More, by Patient, Unremunerated Toil.” In American Babel: Literature of the United States from Abnaki to Zuni, edited by Marc Shell, 491–520. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2002. Smith, Henry Nash. Mark Twain: A Collection of Critical Essays. New York: Prentice-Hall, 1963. Twain, Mark. “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County (1865; revised version, 1875).” In Humorous Stories and Sketches, 1–6. Mineola, N.Y.: Dover, 1996. Wilson, James D. A Reader’s Guide to the Short Stories of Mark Twain. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1987.

“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain: A Critical Analysis

“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain first appeared in print in the pages of The Saturday Press periodical in 1865.

Introduction: “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain

Table of Contents

“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain first appeared in print in the pages of The Saturday Press periodical in 1865. It later received the honor of becoming the title story for Twain’s debut collection, published in 1867. This collection comprised a range of sketches and stories. The piece itself is celebrated for its humorous use of tall tales, its eccentric characters, and its infusion of local Californian flavor. Through his characteristic use of vernacular speech and his portrayal of the delightfully odd Jim Smiley, Twain positioned himself as a distinct literary voice for the American West.

Main Events in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain

Mistaken Identity: A Search for Rev. Smiley Leads to Jim: ( Example: The narrator, seeking information about his friend’s old acquaintance, Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, encounters a talkative old-timer named Simon Wheeler. However, Wheeler becomes fixated on regaling him with tales of a completely different Smiley – Jim.)
Simon Wheeler’s Yarns: A Notorious Gambler Emerges ( Example: Launching into his stories, Wheeler portrays Jim Smiley as a man obsessed with betting. From horse races to dogfights, Smiley would wager on anything, always confident in his ability to win.)
Betting on Anything: From Racehorses to Dogfights ( Example: Wheeler recounts Smiley’s ownership of a surprisingly successful racehorse nicknamed “the fifteen-minute nag” despite its sluggishness. He also tells of Andrew Jackson, Smiley’s talented but unfortunate bulldog pup, who displayed impressive fighting spirit despite missing its hind legs.)
The Inconsistent Winner: The Curious Case of the Slow Racehorse ( Example: The narrative details the peculiarity of Smiley’s racehorse. Despite being notoriously slow, the “fifteen-minute nag” always managed to pull ahead in the final stretch, much to everyone’s surprise.)
Andrew Jackson’s Short-Lived Glory: A Fighting Spirit Cut Short ( Example: We learn about Andrew Jackson, Smiley’s prideful bulldog pup. Though disadvantaged by the lack of hind legs, the pup displayed immense fighting spirit, winning matches until a cruel twist of fate involving a tailless opponent.)
Dan’l Webster the Jumping Frog: Smiley’s Champion Emerges ( Example: The story shifts to Dan’l Webster, a frog Smiley acquires and trains to become a champion jumper. Smiley devotes himself to Dan’l’s education, transforming him into a leaping marvel.)
A Boastful Challenge: Smiley Puts Dan’l’s Skills to the Test ( Example: Filled with pride over Dan’l’s jumping prowess, Smiley encounters a stranger and, in a moment of boastfulness, challenges him to a jumping competition, putting his faith in Dan’l’s abilities.)
A Loaded Victory: The Stranger’s Cheating Trick ( Example: The stranger, appearing to accept the challenge, employs a deceitful tactic. Unbeknownst to Smiley, he secretly stuffs Dan’l with quail shot, rendering the frog incapable of jumping.)
Smiley’s Loss and the Stranger’s Escape ( Example: The jumping competition commences, and Dan’l’s inexplicable inability to jump leaves Smiley bewildered and frustrated. The stranger claims victory and disappears with the winnings before Smiley uncovers the frog’s sabotage.)
The Uninterested Narrator Makes a Hasty Exit ( Example: Having endured a long-winded detour into Jim Smiley’s exploits, the narrator loses interest in the topic. Realizing he won’t find information about Rev. Smiley from Wheeler, he politely excuses himself and departs.)

Literary Devices in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain


	“Good-natured, garrulous old Simon Wheeler”	Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words. In this example, the repetition of the “g” sound emphasizes Simon Wheeler’s characteristics.
	“Dan’l Webster was the name of the frog”	Allusion is a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work. In this case, “Dan’l Webster” alludes to the American statesman and orator Daniel Webster.
	Simon Wheeler’s narrative about Jim Smiley and his gambling antics	An anecdote is a short, amusing, or interesting story about a real incident or person. Simon Wheeler’s story about Jim Smiley’s gambling habits is an example of an anecdote.
	“Jumping on a dead level was his strong suit, you understand; and when it come to that, Smiley would ante up money on him as long as he had a red.”	Hyperbole is deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or effect. In this case, it exaggerates the frog’s jumping ability to highlight Jim Smiley’s confidence in his frog’s abilities.
	Jim Smiley’s winning streak ends when he unknowingly bets on a weighted frog	Irony is the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. In this case, it’s ironic that Smiley loses due to his own trickery.
	“his under-jaw’d begin to stick out like the fo’castle of a steamboat”	A metaphor is a figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unlike things. Here, Smiley’s jaw is compared to the forecastle (front part) of a steamboat for vivid imagery.
	“come cavorting and straddling up, and scattering her legs around limber, sometimes in the air, and sometimes out to one side amongst the fences”	Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate the natural sound of the thing described. The use of words like “cavorting” and “scattering” imitates the actions of the frog.
	“He’d bet on any thing–the dangdest feller.”	A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself but may contain a truth. Here, the paradoxical nature of Jim Smiley’s betting behavior is emphasized for humorous effect.
	“the new frog hopped off lively, but Dan’l give a heave, and hysted up his shoulders–so–like a Frenchman”	Personification attributes human characteristics to non-human things. In this case, the frogs are described as if they have human emotions and actions, adding humor to the scene.
	“Maybe you don’t,” Smiley says. “Maybe you understand frogs and maybe you don’t understand ’em; maybe you’ve had experience, and maybe you ain’t only a amateur”	Repetition is the use of the same word or phrase multiple times for emphasis. Here, it emphasizes Smiley’s insistence on his own opinion, regardless of the stranger’s understanding.
	Twain satirizes the absurdity of gambling by exaggerating Jim Smiley’s willingness to bet on anything	Satire is the use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize and expose societal issues or human folly. Twain’s portrayal of Smiley’s gambling habits is a satirical commentary on risk-taking.
	“as solid as a church”	A simile compares two unlike things using “like” or “as.” Here, Smiley’s frog is compared to something solid and immovable, emphasizing its inability to jump due to the added weight.
	Jim Smiley’s frog, Dan’l Webster, symbolizes his pride and success in gambling	Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Dan’l Webster symbolizes Smiley’s pride and success, as well as his eventual downfall when he is tricked.
	“Well, what’s he good for?”	Understatement is the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is. Here, Smiley downplays the frog’s abilities, leading to a humorous outcome.
Exaggeration	“he never done nothing for three months but set in his back yard and learn that frog to jump”	Exaggeration is the use of overstatement or hyperbole to emphasize a point. Here, it emphasizes the extent of Smiley’s dedication to training his frog, adding humor to the narrative.
	Simon Wheeler’s storytelling style hints at the eventual outcome of Jim Smiley’s bets	Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. Wheeler’s narrative style subtly hints at the twist in Smiley’s betting ventures.
	Jim Smiley’s gambling adventures serve as an allegory for the risks and rewards of life	An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. Here, Smiley’s gambling serves as a metaphor for life’s uncertainties.
	“win money on that horse, for all she was so slow and always had the asthma, or the distemper, or the consumption, or something of that kind”	An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Here, winning money on a slow horse is described, highlighting the absurdity of Smiley’s gambling habits.
	“And Smiley says, ‘That’s all right–that’s all right–if you’ll hold my box a minute, I’ll go and get you a frog.'”	Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. Here, it emphasizes Smiley’s reassurance and eagerness to participate in the bet.
	“he sorter jerked his thumb over his shoulder–so–at Dan’l”	Euphemism is the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive or harsh.

Characterization in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain

Major characters:.

Simon Wheeler: The narrator portrays Wheeler as a talkative old-timer with a gentle and simple demeanor. Despite his monotonous delivery, Wheeler possesses a surprising earnestness and admiration for his subjects.
Jim Smiley: Presented entirely through Wheeler’s anecdotes, Smiley emerges as a notorious gambler with an insatiable urge to bet on anything. He’s portrayed as both lucky and cunning, often finding ways to manipulate situations in his favor.

Minor Characters:

The Narrator: An unnamed visitor seeking information about Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley. He’s patient at first but eventually becomes frustrated by Wheeler’s irrelevant stories.
Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley: A complete stranger to the narrator, possibly even a fictitious person invented by the narrator’s friend to entertain him with Wheeler’s tall tales.
The Stranger: A clever trickster who exploits Jim Smiley’s love for a good bet.

Characterization Techniques:

Direct Characterization: The narrator describes Wheeler’s physical appearance and demeanor (”fat and bald-headed,” ”expression of winning gentleness and simplicity”).
Indirect Characterization: We learn about Wheeler and Smiley primarily through their actions and dialogue. Wheeler’s endless stories reveal his fondness for local legends and his tendency to embellish. Smiley’s cunning and gambling spirit are evident through the anecdotes about his various bets.
Use of Dialect: The consistent use of vernacular speech by Wheeler adds authenticity and reflects the local Californian flavor.

Major Themes in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain

The Power of Storytelling and Tall Tales: The entire narrative revolves around Simon Wheeler’s elaborate yarns about Jim Smiley. Twain uses Wheeler’s character to showcase the American tradition of tall tales, where truth is stretched and embellished for entertainment. The story itself becomes a humorous example of this concept, blurring the lines between fact and fiction.
Deception and Trickery: Jim Smiley’s constant gambling and the stranger’s trick with the frog highlight the theme of deception. Smiley often seeks loopholes and manipulates situations to win bets, showcasing a playful yet dishonest side. The stranger’s act of cheating Dan’l Webster further emphasizes the prevalence of trickery within the story’s world.
The Allure of Gambling and Competition: Jim Smiley’s defining characteristic is his obsessive gambling. He thrives on competition and the thrill of a wager, regardless of the object or its inherent value. The story satirizes this relentless pursuit of betting, showcasing its potential to cloud judgment and lead to humorous consequences.
Regional Identity and Local Color: The story is steeped in the atmosphere of the California gold rush era. Wheeler’s use of vernacular speech and the focus on eccentric characters like Smiley create a sense of regional identity. Twain paints a humorous picture of this specific time and place, highlighting its unique culture and characters.

Writing Style in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain

Humor and Wit : Twain’s writing style is imbued with humor and wit, which captivates readers and keeps them engaged throughout the story. He employs clever wordplay, irony, and satire to create comedic situations and highlight the absurdities of human nature.
Colloquial Language : Twain utilizes colloquial language, including regional dialects and vernacular speech patterns, to add authenticity to the narrative. This choice of language helps establish the rural, Southern setting of the story and brings the characters to life.
Vivid Descriptions : Twain’s descriptive prowess shines through in his vivid portrayals of characters and settings. He paints a detailed picture of the eccentricities of characters like Simon Wheeler and Jim Smiley, as well as the rustic charm of the California gold rush era.
Exaggeration and Hyperbole : A hallmark of Twain’s style in this story is his use of exaggeration and hyperbole to humorous effect. He embellishes the exploits of Jim Smiley’s frog in outrageous ways, creating larger-than-life scenarios that elicit laughter from readers.
Narrative Voice : Twain adopts a folksy, conversational narrative voice that draws readers in and creates a sense of intimacy. His storytelling feels like a friendly chat by the fireside, making readers feel like they’re part of the story themselves.
Irony and Satire : Throughout the narrative, Twain employs irony and satire to critique the characters and situations he portrays. By highlighting the contradictions and absurdities of human behavior, he offers incisive social commentary while keeping the tone light and entertaining.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain


	Focuses on capturing the unique characteristics, speech patterns, and customs of a particular region.	The story is filled with vernacular speech used by Simon Wheeler, reflecting the dialect of the California gold rush era. Details like Jim Smiley’s ownership of a “fifteen-minute nag” and the prevalence of casual gambling highlight the regional culture.
	A humorous story with exaggerated elements, often featuring larger-than-life characters and improbable feats.	The entire narrative about Jim Smiley is a tall tale. His exceptional frog, Dan’l Webster, who could jump incredible distances after training, and his various outrageous bets exemplify this genre.
	Uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize human behavior or social flaws.	The story satirizes the excessive gambling culture and the gullibility of characters like Jim Smiley. The narrator’s frustration with Wheeler’s irrelevant stories can be seen as a satire on pointless storytelling.
	Focuses on the importance of storytelling and the way stories are passed down through spoken word.	Simon Wheeler’s role as a storyteller embodies the oral tradition. He entertains the narrator with tales about Jim Smiley, likely heard from others and embellished over time.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain


	How does Mark Twain use humor and satire in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” to comment on human nature?	Mark Twain employs humor and satire in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” to highlight the absurdities of human behavior, offering incisive social commentary.
	What role does regionalism and dialect play in the narrative?	Through the use of regional dialect and vernacular speech patterns, Mark Twain authentically captures the rural, Southern setting of “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”.
	How does Twain characterize Jim Smiley and Simon Wheeler?	Mark Twain’s characterization of Jim Smiley and Simon Wheeler in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” reveals insights into their eccentricities and the cultural context of the story.
	How does Twain’s narrative style contribute to the story’s impact?	Mark Twain’s folksy, conversational narrative style in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” draws readers in and creates an intimate connection, enhancing the story’s humor and charm.

Short Questions/Answers about/on “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain

What is the narrator’s initial goal in visiting Simon Wheeler, and how are his expectations subverted?
The narrator’s initial goal is quite specific. He’s acting on a request from a friend to inquire about a man named Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, presumably someone his friend knew in the past. The narrator expects a straightforward answer and perhaps some details about the Reverend’s life in Angel’s Camp. However, his expectations are hilariously subverted by Simon Wheeler’s garrulous nature. Wheeler becomes fixated on regaling him with unrelated tales of a completely different Smiley – Jim Smiley – and his outlandish exploits.
What is the name of Jim Smiley’s prized possession, and what makes it special (according to Smiley)? Give an example from the story to support your answer.
Jim Smiley’s prized possession is a frog named Dan’l Webster. According to Smiley, Dan’l Webster is no ordinary amphibian. Smiley boasts about transforming him into a champion jumper through rigorous training. The story mentions, “He [Smiley] ketched a frog one day, and took him home, and said he cal’lated to educate him… And you bet you he did learn him, too.” This quote highlights Smiley’s belief in Dan’l Webster’s exceptional jumping abilities, attributed entirely to Smiley’s training methods.
How does the stranger ultimately defeat Jim Smiley in their frog-jumping competition? Be specific about the stranger’s trickery.
The stranger defeats Jim Smiley through a clever and sneaky trick. While appearing to accept the challenge, he secretly sabotages Dan’l Webster’s jumping ability. The story describes, “Then he got the frog out and prized his mouth open and took a teaspoon and filled him full of quail shot—filled him pretty near up to his chin.” This act of stuffing the frog with lead weights ensures Dan’l Webster’s inability to jump, guaranteeing the stranger’s victory.
What is the significance of Simon Wheeler’s character in the story? How does he contribute to the themes and humor?
Simon Wheeler’s character is central to the story’s humor and exploration of themes. Here’s a breakdown of his significance:
Humor: Wheeler’s rambling, long-winded storytelling style creates a sense of absurdity. His complete disregard for the narrator’s original purpose and his focus on irrelevant tales about Jim Smiley contribute to the story’s comedic effect.
Tall Tales: Wheeler embodies the tradition of tall tales. His stories about Jim Smiley, particularly those focusing on Dan’l Webster’s jumping prowess, are clear examples of exaggerated narratives meant to entertain.
Regional Identity: Wheeler’s use of vernacular speech and his focus on local legends like Jim Smiley connect the story to a specific time and place. He reflects the culture of the California gold rush era, adding a layer of regional identity.
Satire: Through Wheeler’s character, Twain subtly satirizes the gullibility of some characters and the excessive gambling culture prevalent during the gold rush era.

Literary Works Similar to “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain

“The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by David Ives : This play is a modern adaptation of Twain’s original story, offering a humorous and theatrical interpretation of the classic tale.
“The Luck of Roaring Camp” by Bret Harte : Like Twain, Bret Harte was a prominent figure in American literature during the 19th century. “The Luck of Roaring Camp” is a short story set in a California mining camp, featuring colorful characters and humorous situations reminiscent of Twain’s work.
“The Outcasts of Poker Flat” by Bret Harte : Another story by Bret Harte, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” is set in the rugged landscape of the American West and features a diverse cast of characters brought together by fate. The story explores themes of redemption, morality, and human nature, similar to Twain’s exploration in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”
“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain : While longer and more complex than “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” shares similar themes of humor, satire, and a keen observation of human nature. Both works offer insights into American society and culture during the 19th century.
“Winesburg, Ohio” by Sherwood Anderson : This collection of interconnected short stories offers a portrait of small-town life in the Midwest, much like the rural setting depicted in Twain’s story. “Winesburg, Ohio” delves into the lives of ordinary people and explores themes of isolation, longing, and the search for connection, echoing Twain’s exploration of human experiences in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”

Representative Quotations from “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain


“Well, I’ll resk two-and-a-half she don’t anyway.”	Simon Wheeler recounts an incident where Jim Smiley, upon hearing of the improvement in Parson Walker’s sick wife, impulsively bets that she won’t recover.	This quotation showcases Jim Smiley’s compulsive gambling nature, willing to bet on almost anything, even in inappropriate or insensitive situations, indicating his obsession with gambling.
“Andrew Jackson would never let on but what he was satisfied, and hadn’t expected nothing else”	Despite Andrew Jackson (the bull-pup) enduring aggressive treatment from other dogs during fights, he maintains composure, suggesting a deceptive appearance of contentment.	This quote illustrates the theme of deception and false appearances. Andrew Jackson’s stoic demeanor hides his fierce fighting spirit, fooling opponents into thinking they have the upper hand until he suddenly retaliates.
“You never see a frog so modest and straightfor’ard as he was, for all he was so gifted.”	Simon Wheeler describes the frog, Dan’l Webster, as modest and straightforward despite its exceptional jumping abilities.	This quotation reveals the irony in the frog’s demeanor compared to its remarkable talent. It highlights the theme of appearances versus reality, showing how outward modesty can conceal exceptional abilities.
“Well,’ he says, ‘I don’t see no p’ints about that frog that’s any better’n any other frog.'”	A stranger questions the superiority of Dan’l Webster, Jim Smiley’s frog, over other frogs.	This quote reflects skepticism towards Jim Smiley’s claims about Dan’l Webster’s exceptional jumping ability, emphasizing the theme of skepticism and the idea that appearances can be deceiving, challenging assumptions about superiority.
“Well, thish-yer Smiley had a yaller one-eyed cow that didn’t have no tail, only jest a short stump like a bannanner, and—-“	Simon Wheeler begins to tell another anecdote about Jim Smiley’s peculiar possessions, this time a cow with unique physical characteristics.	This quotation indicates the continuation of Simon Wheeler’s storytelling, suggesting the endless array of peculiarities associated with Jim Smiley, contributing to the humorous and eccentric atmosphere of the narrative.

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A Summary and Analysis of Mark Twain’s ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Originally published in the New York Saturday Press in 1865 under the title ‘Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog’, Mark Twain’s short story ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’ was one of his earliest pieces of writing and is probably his best-known short fiction. The story is widely studied and analysed in schools and universities. But what does it mean?

You can read ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’ here before proceeding to our summary and analysis of Twain’s story below.

‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’: plot summary

The story is narrated by a man, presumably Twain himself, who has gone to California from the East at the behest of his friend, who wanted Twain to find man named Simon Wheeler and enquire about an old childhood friend of his named Leonidas W. Smiley, who is thought to have become a reverend and moved out west to a gold-mining camp named Angel’s.

Twain locates Wheeler in a tavern, and the bulk of the story is told by Wheeler himself, who relates to Twain his recollections of a man named Smiley. As Twain suspected, Wheeler does not appear to know Leonidas Smiley but does know a man named Jim Smiley, who used a variety of animals in his various schemes in order to have bets with people and win money off them. These included his bull-pup, which he named Andrew Jackson after the American President.

Wheeler tells Twain that Smiley would bet on anything: if there were two birds sitting on a fence, Smiley would place a bet on which of them would fly off first. He even bet that the parson’s wife wouldn’t recover from a bout of illness and would die. After using various animals in his money-making schemes and bets, Smiley found a frog which he taught to jump. He named this frog Daniel Webster, after the nineteenth-century politician .

The frog proved very lucrative for Smiley, since it could jump as no other frog could and so Smiley would easily win bets he had with people. One day, Smiley bragged to a stranger that the frog could outjump any other frog in the whole county, and the stranger took the bet, which was for forty dollars.

However, while Smiley was away catching another frog to race against Daniel Webster, the stranger spooned some quail-shot (small metal bullets used in shooting game birds) into the frog’s mouth to weigh it down. When Smiley returns with a frog for the stranger, he doesn’t suspect anything amiss.

When they put the two frogs down and encourage them to jump, the stranger’s frog jumps, while Daniel Webster, weighed down with quail-shot, cannot move. The stranger takes his forty dollars in prize money and departs, leaving Smiley to wonder how his celebrated jumping frog could have failed to perform. When he picks up his frog, he realises how heavy it is, and, turning it over, causes the frog to belch out the quail-shot. Smiley, angry that the stranger cheated in this way, runs after him, but fails to catch him.

At this point in his narrative, Wheeler is summoned outside the tavern by someone, and when he returns and begins to tell the narrator about one of Jim Smiley’s other animals (a frog with one eye and no tail), Twain/the narrator makes his excuses and leaves.

‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’: analysis

‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’ combines both the tall tale and the practical joke into one short narrative, which proved an instant success when the story was first published in 1865. Like much of Twain’s fiction, how the story is told (in this case, by one man to another in a tavern, in folksy, colloquial fashion) is as important as the details of the story, which, as the plot summary above demonstrates, is fairly straightforward.

This is significant because ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’ signalled Twain’s arrival on the American literary scene, and set a trend which would continue through much of his fiction: introducing eastern Americans to the people and places in their own country whose lives they barely knew about.

In this case, Twain is speaking to his New York readers, but relating a story that a simple Californian mining man, Simon Wheeler, told to him . There is thus a ‘told-about’ or ‘hand-me-down’ feel to the story which gives it an authenticity, if not a believability. We may find the details of the story exaggerated or even improbable, but we can easily imagine the young Twain by the barroom stove in the tavern with the balding, fat Wheeler while the latter relates his story in his plain, homespun manner to the younger man.

Ernest Hemingway once remarked that all American literature came from Twain’s Huckleberry Finn , his point being that Twain established a distinctive American idiom with his fiction. ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’ marks a similar origin-point, if on a much smaller scale.

Indeed, we might go so far as to say that the plot of the story is merely a means for Twain to introduce us to the character of Simon Wheeler: it is Wheeler, rather than Smiley, who is the most important character in ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’. His relaxed and conversational mode of narration is, of course, of a piece with the humorous, jokey tale he is telling, which is exactly the kind of story we can imagine miners sitting around and telling each other of an evening.

And in some respects, Wheeler’s conversation with Twain (though it can hardly be considered a two-way exchange) mirrors the story within the story: Twain becomes the butt of Wheeler’s joke just as Smiley was made the butt of the stranger’s dupe when he filled Smiley’s frog with quail-shot and rigged the bet in his own favour.

Similarly, Twain has come to Angel’s to discover some information about his friend’s old acquaintance, and instead he ends up hearing an inconsequential, and, to him, irrelevant tale about a man who simply happens to share the same surname as that acquaintance.

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The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Reading Comprehension Questions, Multiple-choice questions

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3 April 2024

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The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. 30 multiple-choice questions (Editable)

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. 40 Reading Comprehension Questions (Editable)

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain, with our comprehensive bundle, combining 40 thought-provoking reading comprehension questions with 30 meticulously crafted multiple-choice questions. Explore the depths of the narrative as you unravel its themes, analyze character motivations, and dissect plot developments with precision. Perfect for educators seeking to enrich their curriculum with rigorous yet accessible assessments, this bundle promises to empower students to critically engage with the text while honing their reading comprehension skills. Whether used for individual assessment, group discussion, or classroom activities, these questions are designed to foster critical thinking and literary exploration among students of all levels. Perfect for literature studies, literature, comprehension, critical thinking, discussion and independent learning and can be used as a test quiz.

Note to Buyers This resource does not contain answer keys. We intentionally designed it this way to encourage students to actively engage with the text and collaborate in finding their own answers. Embrace the opportunity for students to develop critical thinking skills and explore diverse interpretations while working through the comprehension questions

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The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

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Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Mark Twain's The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Celebrated Jumping Frog: Introduction

Celebrated jumping frog: plot summary, celebrated jumping frog: detailed summary & analysis, celebrated jumping frog: themes, celebrated jumping frog: quotes, celebrated jumping frog: characters, celebrated jumping frog: symbols, celebrated jumping frog: literary devices, celebrated jumping frog: theme wheel, brief biography of mark twain.

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County PDF

Historical Context of The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

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Full Title: “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”
When Written: 1865
Where Written: San Francisco, California
When Published: November 18, 1865
Literary Period: Realism
Genre: Short story
Setting: A tavern in a mining town called Angel’s Camp in California
Climax: The stranger cheats in a frog-jumping contest by filling the protagonist’s frog full of heavy quail-shot and consequently runs off with Jim Smiley’s money.
Antagonist: The Stranger
Point of View: First person and third person

Extra Credit for The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

Instant Success. “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” was hailed as Twain’s first great literary success and brought him international recognition. He heard the story of the jumping frog while he was in the Angel’s Hotel at Angel’s Camp, California while he was working as a miner.

What’s in a Name? The story was originally published as “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog” in The New York Saturday Press . It has also been published under the name, “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”

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The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer..

Why is the story set in a mining town? What was the historical significance of mining towns to the development of the West, and what kind of people did they attract?
Why do you think Wheeler is so interested in getting people to listen to his tall tales? Does he just like to hear himself talk, or does he think they can learn something from him?
Why is it significant that Smiley’s animals all seem to have no use or value until Smiley finds one? What conclusions can you draw from the fact that despite clear limitations, they almost always win?
What’s the deal with Smiley’s constant gambling? Is he an addict? If not, what satisfaction does it give him? Why do we tend to associate gambling with westerners?

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Analysis of Mark Twain's The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras
A tall tale laced with typical Twainian humor and irony and ultimately meant not to be believed but enjoyed, Mark Twain's (Samuel Langhorne Clemens's) "The Notorious [Celebrated] Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" first appeared in an 1865 issue of the Saturday Press and eventually became part of the 1875 collection Mark Twain's Sketches, New and…
"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" by Mark Twain: A
Twain's portrayal of Smiley's gambling habits is a satirical commentary on risk-taking. Simile. "as solid as a church". A simile compares two unlike things using "like" or "as.". Here, Smiley's frog is compared to something solid and immovable, emphasizing its inability to jump due to the added weight. Symbolism.
A Summary and Analysis of Mark Twain's 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of
'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County': plot summary. The story is narrated by a man, presumably Twain himself, who has gone to California from the East at the behest of his friend, who wanted Twain to find man named Simon Wheeler and enquire about an old childhood friend of his named Leonidas W. Smiley, who is thought to have become a reverend and moved out west to a gold ...
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. 40 Reading
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain, through this comprehensive set of 40 thought-provoking reading comprehension questions. Designed to delve deep into the themes, characters, and narrative elements of the story, these questions are meticulously crafted to stimulate critical thinking, foster meaningful discussions ...
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. 30 multiple ...
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, with our comprehensive bundle, combining 40 thought-provoking reading comprehension questions with 30 meticulously crafted multiple-choice questions. Explore the depths of the narrative as you unravel its themes, analyze character motivations, and dis. 2. Products. $4.80 $6.00 Save $1.20.
Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Twain
Differentiated questions assess your students' reading of Mark Twain's "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." These can be answered in class, assigned for homework, or given as a quiz.Included:7 comprehension questions (10 points possible) - Assesses understanding of the story. ... Promotes critical thinking and analysis skills for ...
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Explore insightful questions and answers on The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County at eNotes. Enhance your understanding today!
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Studying the Q&A analysis of The Jumping Frog allows students to explore Mark Twain's unique use of language and writing style, including dialect, humor, and satire. This analysis helps students understand how Twain's linguistic choices contribute to the overall tone and impact of the story. 2. Exploration of Regionalism: The Jumping Frog ...
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Reading Comprehension
Whether used for individual assessment, group discussion, or classroom activities, these questions are designed to foster critical thinking and literary exploration among students of all levels. Perfect for literature studies, literature, comprehension, critical thinking, discussion and independent learning and can be used as a test quiz.
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Mark Twain's "Jumping Frog" has been at the center of a critical controversy in recent years. This controversy focuses on one major question. Is the story satiric, with Simon Wheeler as a deadpan ...
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Themes and Colors Key. Summary. Analysis. Following the suggestion of a friend, the unnamed narrator meets a man named Simon Wheeler to ask Wheeler about another man named Leonidas W. Smiley. The narrator, a man hailing from the East, finds Wheeler "dozing comfortably by the barroom stove" in a "dilapidated" tavern in a Californian ...
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The narrator visits Simon Wheeler. Wheeler tells the narrator about Jim Smiley and his celebrated jumping frog. Before training his frog, Jim perpetrated a number of betting schemes, and he was a ...
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Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who is the author of The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County?, What is Mark Twain's real name, A particular form of language that is specific to a region or social group is called and more. ... Psych 2200 - Quiz 14 Review Questions. 16 terms. skymo19. Preview. chapter 5 ...
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4.9. (46) $3.00. PDF. STEM Jumping Frog Challenge is a fun STEM activity that your students will love as they create origami frogs to test their jumping abilities. Students will problem solve and think critically as they complete their challenge. Your students will love going through the design process as they cover the Next Generation Science ...
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The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Study Guide
Historical Context of The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. When "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" was first published on November 18, 1865, its readers were still recovering from the American Civil War, which ended on May 9, 1865. Accordingly, the story's theme of regional differences across the country would ...
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Questions
Why do you think Wheeler is so interested in getting people to listen to his tall tales? Does he just like to hear himself talk, or does he think they can learn something from him? Why is it significant that Smiley's animals all seem to have no use or value until Smiley finds one? What conclusions can you draw from the fact that despite clear ...