Paper Summary:

This paper describes how Mark Twain's short story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," made him an overnight sensation in the American literary scene. The reviewer gives a brief plot summary of the story, yet focuses on why this particular work gave Twain such widespread recognition. Also included are critic's remarks about whether Twain actually intended this short story to be humorous. The reviewer concludes that it is quite obvious why "Calaveras" made readers take interest in Twain. Besides its humor and interest, it is an insightful tale about the people who lived in the West during that time period.

From the Paper:

"In the story, Twain described a betting man by the name of Jim Smiley (a unique name in itself) and his leaping frog. "He'd give him a little punch behind," Twain wrote, "and the next minute you'd see that frog whirling in the air like a doughnut--see him turn one summerset, or maybe a couple, if he got a good start, and come down flat footed and all right, like a cat." Smiley bet on anything he could, similar to unfortunate gambling addicts today."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baender, Paul. The "Jumping Frog" as a Comedian's First Virtue. Modern Philology (1963) 60.3: 192-200
• Bruggers, James. Biologist hopes to save celebrated frog. Contra Costa Times. 1993.
• Cuff, Roger Penn. Mark Twain's Use of California Folklore in His Jumping Frog Story. The Journal of American Folklore (1952). 65.256: 155-158.
• Twain, Mark. The Celebrated Frog of Calaveras County and Other Sketches. Oxford: Oxford Press, 1997.

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