Connecticut Yank
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is a complicated novel that fundamentally deals with the concept of the human experience. Hank Morgan is a nineteenth century mechanic who is transported back thirteen centuries to medieval Britain, during the time of King Arthur. After his initial shock, he becomes determined to "civilize" Camelot by introducing modern industrial technology. At an initial look Twain seems to be favoring the industrialized capitalist society that he lives in over the feudal society of medieval Britain. But in a closer examination of the work it becomes clear that this observation is much too simple, as the industrial world that Hank Morgan creates is destroyed. Therefore the book can be viewed as a working out of the idea that a quick change in a civilization brings disaster. Civilization and change need to be developed, or at least explained within the culture itself, in order for them to become lasting institutions. Hank's failing is that he believes that he is superior to everyone, and that he can change the society of Camelot simply by introducing technology. Hank becomes "the boss" of Camelot, and begins his plans to free the serfs and establish a republic. However his plans are desti
It is evident by the end of the text that Hank failed in his dream of "civilizing" Camelot because he failed to change the accepted paradigm. He wished to bring technology to the people, but he only succeeded in bringing them a new magic that was as unpredictable as the rest of their lives. Medieval society is a place where things just happen, and are not explained. "Cause and effect...don't exist in Camelot. Things happen to people in Camelot without purpose, plan, or coherence; God twists and turns the road whenever and however he pleases."(George 60) Hank's world is finally destroyed because he forgot this basic principle of medieval life. He tried to establish the physical aspects of modern industrial life, but he ignored the intellectual ones. He showed all his subjects how to do things, but not why. He failed to develop the reasoning skills of his subjects; therefore in the absence of his magic they reverted back to the safety of the Established Church. When Hank returns from France he finds the nation in turmoil. He happily finds Clarence, but only to discover that the Church has issued an Interdict, and he has only fifty-two followers left who are all young boys. When Hank questions Clarence as to why only boys he says, "Because all the others were born in an atmosphere of superstition and reared in it. It is in their blood and bones". The people of Camelot were willing to follow Hank because he was a great magician, not because he had changed their lives in any fundamental way. As soon as a greater power revealed itself to them, they changed their loyalty once again. If Hank had thought to make the citizens of Camelot free thinkers with analytical abilities, instead of susceptible masses who would be awed at his great miracles, his plans for a re
Some common words found in the essay are:
Hank Morgan, Valley Holiness, Belt Hank, Church Hank, King Arthur, Camelot Instead, Arthur's Court, people camelot, hank morgan, nineteenth century, fence killed, feudal society, medieval britain, personal power, modern industrial,
Approximate Word count = 1203
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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