Essay on The Use of Dialect in the Jumping Frog of...

Use of Customs, Dialect and Social Status In The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Mark Twains The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is a short story with the lesson that what goes around comes around. In this short story, which first appeared in 1856 and his first successful story, Twain uses local customs of the time, dialect, and examples of social status in his story to create a realistic view of the region in which the story takes place. The way that the characters behave is very distinctive. Dialect is also used to give the reader a convincing impression of the setting in The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. The social status of the main characters in this story also was something that†¦show more content†¦Twain uses local dialect throughout the story. Dialect enhances the story by painting a picture of the surroundings, giving a deeper understanding of the characters and adding local color. The following quotes show Twains main purpose is using dialect, which is to emphasize the rural feel of the storys setting. On page 1 189 the narrator says He was always ready and laying for a chance; there couldnt be no solitry thing mentioned but that fellerd offer to bet on it, and take ary side you please, as I was just telling you. On page 1190 the narrator says, Other dogs jest by the jint of his hind leg and freeze to itÂâ€"not chawÂ…. Smiley uses some interesting and somewhat peculiar phrases at the end of the story: Smiley he stood scratching his head and looking down at Danl a long time, and at last he says, ‘I do wonder what in the nation that frog throwd off forÂâ€"I wonder if there aint something the matter with himÂâ€"he ‘pears to look mighty baggy, somehow. And he ketched Danl by his neck, and hefted him, and says, Why blame my cats if he dont weigh five pound!(1192) On page 1190 Simon says, Well, this-yer had rat-tarriers, and chicken cocks, and tomcats and all themÂ…. The use of slang like solitry, fellerd, and ary are manners of speech that rural people