Question

Romantic literature dominated American arts and letters up until the end of the 19th century. In "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offences" Twain discusses how Cooper's writing fails because Cooper's writing focuses more on imagination than on any sort of logic or realistic depictions.



How does Twain avoid these "literary offences" in "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and why is this avoidance significant?

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

Twain avoided "literary offenses" by not mentioning these works throughout the narrative. This was significant because Twain keeps his attention on the narrative itself, specifically stimulating the themes that the narrative addresses.

In this case, instead of provoking criticism to other known works and authors, Twain highlights a narrative with themes that provoke reflections on regional differences and stereotypes, a sense of community and personal integrity.