Storytelling in American Literature: "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain and “Daisy Miller: A Study” by Henry James as Patriotic Narratives Marissa Polodna College

Storytelling has become an important literary device found in American Literature. Stories like “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain and “Daisy Miller: A Study” by Henry James use storytelling as the simplest way promote Americanization. by telling these stories orally and written, through the scope of “real Americans” the authors are able to spread their ideals and patriotism. While these stories may not be necessarily true, they do spread the “truths” of the American people.

Mark Twain’s “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”, Twain sets up his story as a tale within a tale. In “Jumping Frog”, the main story line focuses on Mark Twain meeting a talkative old story teller Simon Wheeler. Twain reveals that he believes the purpose of this storytelling was merely designated to waste his time. The tale within this tale is the one Wheeler tells Twain about Jim Smiley and his betting ways. Twain believes that Wheeler’s stories are largely exaggerated, but yet he listens. The essential component within both tales of “Jumping Frog” is satire, the manipulation of stereotypes and the exaggeration to point out the folly of men. In “Jumping Frog”, it seems that Twain makes fun of the tall tale genre...