The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County

In "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County", the narrator was looking to find information about someone, so his friend suggested that he go to a certain tavern to ask an old man by the name of Simon Wheeler about this person (The Celebrated...). When the narrator finally found the man, he asked him if he knew anything about Leonidas W. Smiley. The man told him that he knew of a man named Jim Smiley, and he went off on a tangent about Jim Smiley and his unusual characteristics. In fact, the entire story by Mark Twain was about this strange man Jim Smiley, and his gambling. After listening to the story for much time, the narrator eventually leaves the tavern, having gained no information about Leonidas W. Smiley, and begins to think his friend may have set him up by sending him to see Wheeler (The Celebrated...). It is quite difficult to fathom a connection between this story and Emerson, especially after have reading the boring and random text about the random Jim Smiley. If I would say so myself, I do not believe that there is much linking "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calveras County" to Emerson, except that they are complete opposites (The Celebrated...) (Wayne). From my research, Emerson seems to be a man of upright character who values discipline, common sense, and thinking. His words all seem to be well thought out before he speaks, and they seem to be to the point, on topic, and cause you to think about the point he is trying to make (Wayne). Emerson does not waste time beating around the bush, yet he is not forceful or anger-filled. He simply states his opinions, backs them up with reason, and allows everyone else to take it or leave it (Wayne). The traits that I just mentioned of Emerson couldn't be more opposite that Simon Wheeler (The Celebrated...). In the story he is extremely off topic, distracted, and makes no sense. He seems to have no cares in the world and just talks and talks forever about mindless nonsense. This is the total opposite of Emerson. However, the narrator of "The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" may actually have some things in common with Emerson. The man was extremely bored by the unintelligent nonsense coming out of Wheeler's mouth, but he was not rude toward him. He let him talk and heard him out. But when he finished and there was no more point of him being there, he left (The Celebrated...). The narrator seems to be much like Emerson (The Celebrated...) (Wayne).

"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." 301 Moved Permanently. Web. 08 Mar. 2012. .

Wayne, Tiffany K., ed. "Emerson, Ralph Waldo." Critical Companion to Ralph Waldo Emerson: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2010.Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= CCRWE0001&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 9, 2012).