A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court: An Analysis

Mark Twain’s novel, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court reveals the power of the unconscious self through the symbolism of an eclipse. The eclipse’s effects are prevalent throughout the journey of The Yankee and King Arthur when the true self is revealed. When put in the right situation, anyone will find their inherent greediness or arrogance as the dark side of their eclipse. The Yankee needs constant reaffirmation of power through “magic” stunts whereas King Arthur finds himself unaccepting to becoming a peasant despite the potential of losing his life.
The moon in the eclipse symbol represents the unconscious or hidden self and the sun, being blocked out, represents one’s conscious self. Therefore, the eclipse obscures the true

self, leaving one fearing that the unconscious will overpower the conscious self. In the Yankee’s case, his unconscious self appears to be somewhat arrogant. Awaiting his death, the Yankee was “even impatient for tomorrow to come, I so wanted to gather in that great triumph and be the center of all the nation’s wonder and reverence” (Twain 38). The Yankee’s first miracle had been enough to have his life spared as well as making him second to the king. This was not enough for the Yankee so he performed many others throughout his rule and travel including smoking from his pipe and blowing up Merlin’s Tower. The Yankee is also seen questioning and criticizing society in the sixth century England. Instead of a taking a noble name, he took the title of “The Boss” which was given to him by the people of Camelot.
While the Yankee’s dark side of the eclipse is shown, so is his bright side. The Yankee’s
conscious self is a generous and nervous man. For example, after destroying Merlin’s Tower,
The Boss has it immediately rebuilt for him. After scaring the seven knights away with the smoke from his pipe, he had his companion, Sandy, discuss their punishment. While the Yankee would constantly examine these people’s lifestyle, he would also try and make changes in good heart, but not exactly helping. “I was pretty well satisfied with what I had already accomplished. In various quiet nooks and corners I had the beginnings of all sorts of industries under way—nuclei of future civilization.” (64). The Boss’s attempts to revise the lives of 6th century English citizens with 19th century technology reflects the eclipse metaphor. While his intentions are positive, the sun, they become covered up by selfishness, the moon.
Another character who Twain uses to reflect on the true self is King Arthur. The plan to become peasants by the Yankee was hard for the king to follow. King Arthur, being accustomed to the royal lifestyle, could not get himself to accept the image of poverty. “He was no longer the comeliest man in his kingdom, but one of the unhandsomest… every day a knight-errant or so came along, and the sight of them fired the king’s martial spirit” (202, 207). The universally desired lifestyle makes the true self harder to find. When the king loses what he has had his whole life even temporarily, he had trouble dealing with it and focuses on returning to his past prestige rather than seeking his unconscious purpose. The King’s eclipse is permanent. Unlike the King, the Yankee has gained more than he has lost in his endeavor, allowing him to discover the innate, unconscious temptation of power.
The eclipse’s symbolism gave the Yankee and the king a chance to find their unconscious self although both of them were unable to experience it. Twain attacks the romantic style of living by arguing that a perfect life prevents one from finding your true self. The Yankee’s unconscious self is glimpsed at throughout the novel, however, once revealed, quickly returns to the conscious. The king’s power keeps him prisoner from a conscious self because his inherent power allows him to show his unconscious self at all times.