STUDY GUIDE Mark Twain Pudd’nhead Wilson Intro: A Whisper to the Reader Vocabulary barrister a lawyer in the English superior court – grandees people of importance – 1. Why does Twain take the time to tell readers how accurate his book is according to the law? 2. Reread the lengthy sentence used to describe William Hicks. Why do you think Twain uses this type of writing style? 3. After reading this letter to the audience, what conclusions can you make about the use of the quote from the beginning? What purpose does it serve? Explain the quote as an example Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar at of verbal irony and what it says about this portion of the novel. to the poet Dante Alighieri. 4. Discuss Twain’s references Chapter I Vocabulary infallible certain; perfect – antediluvian ancient labrick an idiot – – approbation a formal approval lummox a clumsy person – – brad-awls an instrument used to make holes for opulently abundantly, richly, profusely – – nails an idiot pudd’nhead – flotilla a large number of boats tinmonger a tinsmith – – formidable fearful, causing nervousness torrid hot – – hamlet a small village transients people traveling in search of work – – 1. Describe the setting, including date and location. 2. What purpose does the Mississippi River serve to it have importance within Dawson’s Landing? How might the plot? 3. What does the phrase “prove title” mean? 4. What does Twain say is the symbol for a complete house? 5. Explain how Twain uses repetition in the description of York Leicestor Driscoll and its importance. 6. Twain refers to Cecil Essex as F. what do you think these letters stand? What does this “another F. V.” For reference say about the townspeople’s beliefs? 7. For what reason might Twain mention Cecil for him? What is Essex, although we should “have no concern” this an example of?
STUDY GUIDE Pudd’nhead Wilson Mark Twain Intro: A Whisper to the Reader Vocabulary barrister – a lawyer in the English superior court grandees – people of importance 1. Why does Twain take the time to tell readers how accurate his book is according to the law? 2. Reread the lengthy sentence used to describe William Hicks. Why do you think Twain uses this type of writing style? 3. After reading this letter to the audience, what conclusions can you make about the use of the quote from Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar at the beginning? What purpose does it serve? Explain the quote as an example of verbal irony and what it says about this portion of the novel. 4. Discuss Twain’s references to the poet Dante Alighieri. Chapter I Vocabulary antediluvian – ancient approbation – a formal approval brad-awls – an instrument used to make holes for nails flotilla – a large number of boats formidable – fearful, causing nervousness hamlet – a small village infallible – certain; perfect labrick – an idiot lummox – a clumsy person opulently – abundantly, richly, profusely pudd’nhead – an idiot tinmonger – a tinsmith torrid – hot transients – people traveling in search of work 1. Describe the setting, including date and location. 2. What purpose does the Mississippi River serve to Dawson’s Landing? How might it have importance within the plot? 3. What does the phrase “prove title” mean? 4. What does Twain say is the symbol for a complete house? 5. Explain how Twain uses repetition in the description of York Leicestor Driscoll and its importance. 6. Twain refers to Cecil Essex as “another F. F. V.” For what do you think these letters stand? What does this reference say about the townspeople’s beliefs? 7. For what reason might Twain mention Cecil Essex, although we should “have no concern” for him? What is this an example of?
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