A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur

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A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court

• By Mark Twain

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Overview

• Its about a Yankee from 19th century Connecticut
  who travels back in time to 6th century England.
  Once there, he sets about trying to reform 6th
  century British society and its inhabitants.
• Issues
• Social Injustice
• Abuses by the ruling classes
• Social Training
• Technology

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Satire

• Twain was known for his satire
• Satire is where an author mocks or satirizes, a
  particular subject. In this novel, Twain is
  satirizing romantic, idealistic notions of life
  during the middle ages.
• King Arthur and his knights are typically turned
  into heroes, which they may be. However, these
  stories leave out the reality for the masses of
  average citizens, who are abused by the nobility
  and the Church.

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Story of King Arthur

• Since the story is set during the time of King
  Arthur and his Knights of the Roundtable, it is
  important to understand a little about them.
• The source for most of our information on the
  story of King Arthur is Sir Thomas Malorys Le
  Morte DArthur

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The Playerz

• King Arthur
• Son of Uther Pendragon, king of Britain
• Becomes king after Uthers death, after removing
  the sword in the stone
• Seen as a noble king and a mighty warrior
• Possessed the sword Excalibur (given to him by
  the Lady of the Lake)

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The Players, cont.

• Lancelot
• One of the most celebrated knights

• Merlin
• Sir Kay
• Sir Sagramor
• Guenevere
• Morgan le Fay

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Quests and Adventures

• Holy Grail
• To gain fame and respect

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The Connecticut Yankee

• Hank Morgan
• Product of the 19th Century
• Compassionate
• Practical
• Proud
• Clarence
• Sandy