Mark Twain's humorous tale of a Connecticut factory supervisor being transported back in time to the days of Camelot is a classic example of the author's double-edged wit. Hank Morgan falls unconscious during an altercation in 19th century Connecticut, but awakens to the questioning of a knight curious to know his reason for trespassing in Camelot. Hank's advanced engineering knowledge allows him to rise to a high, but precarious, position in King Arthur's Court. As Twain uses his imaginative talents and engaging style to ...
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Mark Twain's humorous tale of a Connecticut factory supervisor being transported back in time to the days of Camelot is a classic example of the author's double-edged wit. Hank Morgan falls unconscious during an altercation in 19th century Connecticut, but awakens to the questioning of a knight curious to know his reason for trespassing in Camelot. Hank's advanced engineering knowledge allows him to rise to a high, but precarious, position in King Arthur's Court. As Twain uses his imaginative talents and engaging style to create a fantasy world to delight his audience, he simultaneously presents a sharply critical satire.
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Add this copy of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court to cart. $12.07, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2011 by Empire Books.
I don't know what was published first this book or Innocents Abroad but one or the other of them may have influenced the other one.I have read over 100 versions of the King Arthur tale and this tongue in cheek look at King Arthur is wonderful. Henry died in 1858 because the date of Hank Morgan's
burning at the stake is the same as the date of Henry's death. In any regard, considering his loss, Twain had a vision of how technology might have influenced the middle ages. Bing Crosby who played the part in the musical movie of Hank Morgan convinces the King to go out among his people as a beggar to see how his kingdom is faring. I am not sure this was in the book but it; would certainly have been one of Twain's concerns about society and superstitution.
SLGF
Aug 13, 2007
Modern Inventions for King Arthur
Mark Twain has imagined how wonderful / terrible it would be to introduce all the brand new inventions (of the late 19th century) to the dark ages in England. His hero remains an optimistic Yankee to the end. His observations on human nature seem very relavent today.