Week Two

Erica Schweiger
Reynolds
Engl 1102 P4
January 18, 2008

Blog Two

As I first starting reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, I initially thought there was the theme of “the outsider.” The character, making his first appearance in the world of King Arthur’s Court, believes himself to be the only normal individual in this area full of insane people, however, at that point, he adopted the role as the outsider. I am not sure yet why Twain may be using this theme, but it seems to continue throughout the chapters we have covered as the Yankee uses his label to his advantage. Because the Yankee is from a different era, we can observe the change in dominant behaviors that develop in a human nature’s “political animal” throughout the years. I felt like Twain was highlighting how the ambitious nature of people has developed into a greed or hunger for power. While the naïve citizens of the court seem content in living a simple life, believing any word from a higher power, people from the Yankee’s time are driven in a more conflicted and industrial world.
As the Yankee gains power, respect and fear of all people, I feel like his character may evolve into a tragic hero. While using his business and bargaining skills from his own time, he understands the manipulative qualities that are fresh to the people of the court. While he may not later meet a failure, his rapid gain of strength and arrogance seems to foreshadow a possible demise. I found it surprising that the Yankee seemed somewhat offended that the Church still reigned over both his status as well as the king’s, even after gaining greater recognition than even the king himself. As he builds upon new aspects of civilization, I feel that he only makes these progressive improvements in order to limit the power of the Church, and further increase his status in society.