Comparison and Analysis of The Weather of New England by Mark Twain and The Dog that Bit People by James Thurber

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Misconceived Humorous Analysis “A sense of humor is just common sense dancing.” -William James . The two stories that I am comparing are “The Weather of New England” by Mark Twain and “The Dog that Bit People” by James Thurber. These essays are both humorous essays. In “The Weather of New England” , it talks about the different , interesting types of weather in New England. In the dog story the crazy dog bites everyone even the own family. Both these humorous essays use style, tone, and perspective to tell their stories in their own way and describe their conflict. Mark Twain uses style when he uses big words like sumptuous and centennial to describe the weather.He uses these words by saying there are different varieties of weather in New England that can be admirable to a stranger. He also uses words like dazzling. This shows sarcasm and understates the unknown weather making it seem like no big deal , but it can be dangerous and more people feel unexpected and unprepared. For example when he says, “You leave your umbrella in the house and sally out with your sprinkling pot and ten to one you get drowned.” he uses and understatement. There is a flood and he should be scared. James Thurber uses style by using hyperbole.. For example, when he says “ He gave me more trouble than all the other fifty-four or -- five put together.” He over exaggerates about how Muggs gets in more trouble than all fifty five or fifty four dogs combined. Another way he used hyperbole is when Uncle Horatio tried to force him to eat on the floor. He was making a big deal by not just letting the dog eat on the table. He also uses understatement to show his style. Like when he said “ There was a slight advantage in being one of the family, for he didn’... ... middle of paper ... ...interesting beautiful way. His feelings are uncertain but in the end he forgives the weather and calls it the most “enchanting “ weather in the world. He realizes that the uncertain weather is better and he actually likes it. In conclusion , that is how both authors used style, tone, and perspective and conflict to show the humor in their essays. James Thurber and Mark Twain use style by using understatements and hyperbole to show their conflicts. Both authors have a different and are irritated by both the dog and the weather and they use their tone to show that. James Thurber’s were confused about the love-hate relationship with the dog until he died at the end. Mark hated the weather until the ice storm came and started liking the beautiful uncertainty of the weather in New England. These two stories are different but both used STP to write a good humorous essay.

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