DISCUSSION OF THE TEXT

1. In what key is the story written? Does is present a serious or a mocking account of the interview given by the author to the newspaper man? Give a general definition of the story.

2. Comment on the personality of the newspaper reporter. In what terms does the author describe him?

3. What newspaper did he represent? How does its name the “Daily Thunderstorm: contribute to the general tenor of the story? Is it a common name for a newspaper? Does it help us to a better understanding of the author’s irony?

4. What reason did the newspaper man give for interviewing the author? What are the connotations of the word “notorious”? How does is differ from the word “famous”? Is it suggestive of the author’s attitude towards the American Press? What tastes did it cater for – low or refined?

5. How does Mark Twain achieve a parody on the American Press, its ways, its shallowness, its vulgarity?

6. One of the devices characterizing Mark Twain’s comic art is a pretence of imbecility. Find passages illustrative of this.

7. What other devices of creating a humorous effect could be found in the story – exaggerations, the contrast between the subject and style (a mock-serious manner of treating the most absurd notions, etc.)? Quote the text for illustrations.

8. What was the author’s reaction to the remark of the interviewer “…you do not look as – as intelligent as I had expected you would”? Did he take offence or did he take it as a compliment? How does this absurd reaction contribute to the comic effect?

9. Where does the story reach its climax? Where is its absurdity at the apogee?

10. Comment on the use of the word “defunct”, which is a legal term. What effect does it create in this context?

11. Note the reiteration of the words “remarkable” and “extraordinary” in the story. Is their use justified? Do they really qualify clever thoughts and ideas or do they refer to the most absurd notions ever expressed? What sides of the interview do they help to bring out?

12. Comment on the concluding lines. What could be said about the connotations of the words “reverently” and “withdraw”? Are they in keeping with the nature of the scene described? Is their use in line with the other devices aimed at creating a comic effect?

13. Speak of the choice of vocabulary in the story. Comment on the use of colloquialisms side by side with sentimental turns of speech and high-flown words.

14. Speak of the syntax, paying attention to the peculiarities of spoken English.

15. Give a summary of your comments on the text.

THE CITADEL

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
I was not feeling bright that morning.	\|	By Archibald Joseph Cronin

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