In this highly significant humorous experiment, the author incorporates the traditional form of the tall tale into a story of his own creation. He produces a sort of literary tug-of-war between town and country, provincialism and urbanity. In appropriating this apocryphal frog story for his own purposes, Twain makes numerous changes in its composition. First and foremost, he embellishes the anecdote with a frame, in which he presents the narrator, Mark Twain, who in turn explains his encounter with Simon Wheeler in the mining settlement at Angel’s Camp.

The names of the bulldog, Andrew Jackson, and the frog, Daniel Webster, may suggest that Twain was merely indulging in topical political satire. In fact, however, his intention was to mock politicians and lawmakers as a species—an activity in which he gleefully engaged throughout his literary career. Simon Wheeler’s tall tale does not attempt to size up recent history. Its content is purely Western in feeling and, as such, is generous in its ready acceptance of the exaggerated and the absurd. In this story, it is the vernacular, not the traditional style of polite speech, that emerges triumphant. The city slicker narrator receives, not teaches, the lesson.

This is not merely the repetition of an oft-told tall tale, redesigned and decked out in a new guise. From the beginning it is made clear that there is no Leonidas W Smiley, especially no Reverend Leonidas W Smiley, and that his existence is mere pretense in order to hear Simon Wheeler elucidate on the past experiences of Jim Smiley. Simon Wheeler’s calculated ramblings admirably provide a platform for Twain’s subtle and not-so-subtle humor. His literary greatness, in part, emanates from a perpetual malicious shrewdness that he frequently chooses to cloak under an assumed simplicity. His innocence is always pure sham, and the fact that he openly shares this secret with the reader is part of the fun.

Wheeler’s story is slight. Jim Smiley, who would bet on almost anything, once trained a frog to jump so well that Smiley wagered his frog would beat any other. A stranger takes Jim’s bet, though he confesses to having no frog of his own and forcing Jim back to the marsh to catch one for him. In Smiley’s absence, the stranger takes hold of Smiley’s frog, pries open its mouth and pours a bellyful of buckshot down its throat. When Smiley returns and pits his frog against the new one of the stranger’s, Smiley’s frog is virtually stuck to the ground. Unable to jump, the frog loses the contest, and Smiley loses his wager.

What makes the story so effective is Twain’s handling of the obvious tall tale. While telling the story to the narrator in dialect, Wheeler prolongs the events of the tale by bringing in extraneous material, red herrings that circle and swim about but bear little relevance to the main action. Yet the reader is aware that Wheeler knows what he is doing. His straight-faced delivery is part of the hoax, part of the trickery played on the narrator whose style of literary formality contrasts humorously with Wheeler’s colloquial freedom.

The successful mixture of dialect, delay, deadpan tone, and absurd detail makes this story a fine example of the tall-tale tradition in American literature.

America in the Mid- to Late-Nineteenth Century
"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," first published in 1865, emerged while Mark Twain resided in the American Southwest, a region still undergoing settlement. The Industrial Revolution had introduced machinery and factories to the eastern United States, but much of the country, especially west of the Mississippi River, continued to depend on the land for economic growth. In the West, much of the terrain was used for cattle ranching, and the U.S. government was embroiled in conflicts with various Native-American tribes to acquire more land. The West's expanding population was driven by the Homestead Act of 1862, which offered free farms to families, and the gold rush in California in 1848. Consequently, mining towns and camps, such as Angel's Camp where Twain sets "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," sprang up across California and the western United States.

Despite the West's rapid growth, a significant divide remained between the eastern and western United States. The West was often perceived as wild and untamed, inhabited by rough, uneducated pioneers. In contrast, Easterners were seen as more educated, polite, cultured, and sophisticated—essentially "genteel." Although trains and steamboats were common modes of transportation, the transcontinental railroad had not yet been completed, making travel between the two regions difficult and contributing to their sense of separation.

Literature in the United States
When Twain wrote "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," distinctly American literature was still in its early stages. Henry James was beginning his esteemed literary career and shaping the modern novel. Representing the cultured East, James often wrote about Americans living in Europe and the tradition-bound Europeans who looked down on them for their perceived lack of sophistication. In stark contrast to James, Twain was developing an American identity in literature, based on the rugged and independent individuals outside the East. Twain's writing style abandoned eloquence to focus on uniquely American situations and characters. Classics like Huckleberry Finn featured recognizable American settings and characters, while addressing the social issues of the burgeoning nation.

"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" is set during the mid to late nineteenth century, just after the California Gold Rush of 1849. Mark Twain's encounter with Simon Wheeler and Wheeler's tales about Jim Smiley both take place in Angel's Camp, a mining town situated in Calaveras County, California. Wheeler shares these stories with Twain in a local bar, a common venue for storytelling at the time.

Structure
The frame tale structure of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" is a crucial element of the story. In a frame tale, one narrative is embedded within another. In "Jumping Frog," the outer story centers on Mark Twain and his encounter with the loquacious old storyteller, Simon Wheeler. This meeting happens at the suggestion of a friend of Twain's, referred to in some versions as A. Ward, who ostensibly wants to learn about an old acquaintance named Leonidas Smiley. However, Twain discloses that he suspects his friend's request was simply a practical joke intended to waste his time. Twain's doubts about the meeting and his descriptions of Wheeler are presented in the brief paragraphs that open and close the story. He narrates these sections in the first person. Because this part of the story was originally written as a letter, the entire narrative can also be classified as an epistolary tale.

The inner story is the one Wheeler recounts about Jim Smiley, his penchant for betting, and his encounter with the Stranger. Wheeler's stories appear highly exaggerated and can be considered examples of a tall tale. He narrates his story using a third-person narrative voice.

Setting
"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" is set in the mid-to-late nineteenth century, shortly after the California Gold Rush of 1849. Mark Twain's interaction with Simon Wheeler and Wheeler's tales about Jim Smiley both take place in Angel's Camp, a mining camp in Calaveras County, California. Wheeler shares his stories with Twain in a local bar, a typical venue where such stories are often told.

Satire
Satire plays a vital role in "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Satire involves manipulating stereotypes and using exaggeration to highlight the absurdity of a person or situation. In "Jumping Frog," Twain satirizes several elements, including the tall tale genre, the American West, and the American East. Rather than using the tall tale merely for comedic effect, Twain employs it to challenge various stereotypes prevalent among Americans at the time. According to these stereotypes, people in the western United States were often seen as uneducated, gullible simpletons. Conversely, Americans in the eastern United States were perceived as well-educated, sophisticated, and cultured. In a satirical twist, Twain's sophisticated Easterner comes across as an impatient and self-centered snob who is duped by both his friend and the talkative Wheeler. Similarly, Wheeler is ultimately revealed to be not a simpleton, but a good-natured and seasoned storyteller whose deadpan delivery is a facade used to trick his supposedly sophisticated listener.

Tall Tale
A tall tale involves exaggerated, fantastical events. Characters in these stories are often described as "larger than life," showcasing extraordinary traits. Simon Wheeler's anecdotes about Jim Smiley and his pets are filled with such exaggerations, categorizing them as tall tales. For instance, Wheeler portrays Smiley as a man willing to bet on anything, even something as trivial as which of two birds will leave a fence first. Smiley's frog, Dan'l Webster, almost appears to fly when jumping and uses his legs like a cat to scratch himself. Additionally, Andrew Jackson, Smiley's dog, will latch onto another dog—his favorite fighting tactic—for up to a year to secure a victory.

Anthropomorphism
Twain assigns human characteristics to the animals in "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," a method known as anthropomorphism. Andrew Jackson, Jim Smiley's dog, is depicted as proud, stubborn, and determined. He enjoys fighting and winning his battles. When faced with an unbeatable opponent, he eventually succumbs to the humiliation. Both Andrew Jackson and the frog, Dan'l Webster, are portrayed as talented. Dan'l Webster is further described as modest and straightforward.

Diction
Authors often use dialect and vernacular language to set the scene of their stories and define their characters. In "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," Twain uses language to emphasize the contrasts between his characters. For example, Twain himself speaks in grammatically correct English. However, Simon Wheeler tells his story in the vernacular, or everyday language, of the American West. Wheeler disregards many grammatical rules and speaks with a distinct "accent." He says "feller" instead of "fellow," "reg'lar" instead of "regular," and even "Dan'l" for "Daniel."

The frame tale structure of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" stands as one of its key literary devices. In a frame tale, one story is embedded within another. In "Jumping Frog," the outer narrative centers on Mark Twain and his encounter with the loquacious old storyteller, Simon Wheeler. This meeting takes place at the behest of a friend of Twain's, identified in some versions as A. Ward, who ostensibly seeks information about an old acquaintance named Leonidas Smiley. However, Twain discloses that he suspects his friend's request is merely a practical joke intended to waste his time. Twain's doubts about the meeting and his characterizations of Wheeler are detailed in the brief paragraphs that open and close the story. Twain narrates these sections in the first person. Since this part of the tale originally appeared as a letter, the entire story can also be classified as an epistolary tale.

The inner story is the one Wheeler recounts about Jim Smiley, his penchant for betting, and his encounter with a stranger. Wheeler's tales appear highly exaggerated and can be seen as examples of a tall tale. He narrates his story using a third-person perspective.

Satire plays a crucial role in "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Satire involves the use of stereotypes and exaggeration to highlight the absurdity of a person or situation. In "Jumping Frog," Twain mocks the tall tale genre, the American West, and the American East. Rather than using the tall tale solely for comedic purposes, Twain also employs it to challenge various stereotypes prevalent among Americans at the time. According to these stereotypes, people living in the western United States were often seen as uneducated and gullible, while those in the eastern United States were viewed as well-educated, sophisticated, and cultured. In a satirical twist, Twain's supposedly sophisticated easterner comes across as an impatient and self-centered snob who is duped by both his friend and the garrulous Wheeler. Similarly, Wheeler is ultimately revealed to be not a simpleton but a good-natured and seasoned storyteller whose deadpan delivery serves as a facade, enabling him to deceive his supposedly refined listener.

A tall tale involves exaggerated, fantastical events. Characters in these stories are often seen as "larger than life," possessing extraordinary traits. Simon Wheeler's stories about Jim Smiley and his pets are filled with such exaggerations, fitting them into the tall tale genre. For instance, Wheeler portrays Smiley as a man who would bet on anything, even on something as trivial as which of two birds would fly off a fence first. Smiley's frog, Dan'l Webster, could almost fly through the air when jumping and used his legs like a cat to scratch himself. Additionally, Smiley's dog, Andrew Jackson, would latch onto another dog—his favored fighting technique—for up to a year to win a fight.

In "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," Twain attributes human characteristics to animals, a technique known as anthropomorphism. Andrew Jackson, Jim Smiley's dog, is depicted as proud, ornery, and determined. He enjoyed fighting and winning. When he encountered a dog he couldn't defeat, he eventually died from the shame. Both Andrew Jackson and the frog, Dan'l Webster, are described as talented. Dan'l Webster is also portrayed as modest and straightforward.

Authors often use dialect and vernacular to establish the setting of their tales and to define their characters. In "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," Twain employs language to emphasize the differences between his characters. For example, Twain himself uses grammatically correct English. On the other hand, Simon Wheeler narrates his story in the everyday language of the American West, ignoring many grammatical rules and speaking with a distinct accent. Wheeler says "feller" instead of "fellow," "reg'lar" instead of "regular," and "Dan'l" for "Daniel."

1865: Individuals from across the United States and Mexico continue to migrate to California, hoping for wealth after the Gold Rush of 1849.

Today: Under the leadership of Governor Pete Wilson, California enacts stringent laws aimed at curbing illegal immigration.

1864: Congress approves a bill to protect Yosemite Valley in California, making it the first public scenic reserve in the United States.

Today: Environmentalists and major corporations clash over the conservation of the shrinking forests in the Pacific Northwest.

1861: Western Union establishes a telegraph line between New York and San Francisco, simplifying communication between the eastern and western parts of the United States.

Today: Internet services offer an inexpensive and virtually limitless means of long-distance communication, connecting diverse people and cultures worldwide.

The Best Man Wins, directed by John Sturges, was released by Columbia in 1948. This film adaptation of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" features Edgar Buchanan and Anna Lee.

In 1987, Learning Garden Films produced an animated version of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

Mark Twain's reputation as a satirist and sketch writer was further cemented by his 1869 book The Innocents Abroad; or, The New Pilgrim's Progress. In this work, he detailed his adventures and observations while traveling through the Middle East and Europe with a group of affluent Americans.

Director John Stages's The Best Man Wins was released by Columbia in 1948. This film adaptation of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" featured Edgar Buchanan and Anna Lee.

In 1987, Learning Garden Films released an animated version of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

Hill, Hamlin. "Samuel Langhorne Clemens." In Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 12: American Realists and Naturalists. Edited by Donald Pizer and Earl N. Harbert. Detroit: Gale, 1982, pp. 71-94. This is a concise biographical sketch.

Leary, Lewis. "Mark Twain." In American Writers, Vol. 4. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, pp. 190-213. This provides a comprehensive biographical overview of Twain and his literary contributions.

Wilson, James D. "A Reader's Guide to the Short Stories of Mark Twain." In Reference Guide to Literature. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1987. It offers critical introductions to Twain's short stories, with sections covering historical and social contexts, publication notes, and summaries of each story.

Sources
Baender, Paul. "The 'Jumping Frog' as a Comedian's First Virtue," Modern Philology, Vol. LX, no. 3, February 1963, pp. 192-200.

Krause, S. J. "The Art and Satire of Twain's 'Jumping Frog' Story," American Quarterly, Vol. XVI, no. 4, Winter 1964, pp. 562-576.

Smith, Paul. "The Infernal Reminiscence: Mythic Patterns in Mark Twain's 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,'" Satire Newsletter, Vol. 1, no. 2, Spring 1964, pp. 41-44.

Further Reading
Cuff, Roger P. "Mark Twain's Use of California Folklore in His Jumping Frog Story," Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 65, April 1952, pp. 155-159.
Cuff explores Twain's incorporation of California Gold Rush folklore in "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

Lewis, Oscar. "The Origin of 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County'," Book Club of California, 1931, 27 p.
Lewis details the story's history, tracing its roots from the Sierra foothills' mining camps during the Gold Rush to Mark Twain's global renown.

Morrissey, Frank R. "The Ancestor of the 'Jumping Frog,'" The Bookman, Vol. LIII, no. 2, April 1921, pp. 143-145.
Morrissey shares a tale of a man and his trained grasshopper, suggesting it as the inspiration for Twain's narrative about Jim Smiley and Dan'l Webster.