Question

According to the narrator of "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," what was "exquisitely absurd" about Simon Wheeler's manner of telling stories about Leonidas Smiley? A. Wheeler could talk for an incredibly long time. B. Wheeler told his entire story without ever smiling. C. Wheeler didn't seem to believe a word of his own story. D. Wheeler used a fake accent to imitate Leonidas Smiley.

Answer 1

In 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,' Simon Wheeler's manner of telling stories about Leonidas Smiley is considered 'exquisitely absurd' because he never smiles or displays any humor while telling his story.

Step-by-step explanation:

The narrator of 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County' finds Simon Wheeler's manner of telling stories about Leonidas Smiley to be 'exquisitely absurd' because Wheeler never smiles, never changes his voice, and speaks with impressive earnestness and sincerity, showing that he takes the story very seriously. This creates a humorous contrast between Wheeler's serious storytelling and the playful nature of the story itself. So, option B, Wheeler tells his entire story without ever smiling, is the correct answer.

Answer 2

The correct answer is option C. Wheeler didn't seem to believe a word of his own story.

In "

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

" by Mark Twain, the narrator finds it "exquisitely absurd" that Simon Wheeler tells his stories about Leonidas Smiley without showing any indication that he believes in the truth of those stories.

Wheeler never smiles or shows any emotion while telling the story, despite its humor and ridiculousness.

He tells the story with complete seriousness and sincerity, believing it to be an important tale of two men's exceptional abilities in gambling and trickery.

This adds a humorous and ironic element to the narrative.