A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

Author

Mark Twain

Publication

12/31/1889

Overview

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain follows a practical, sharp-minded American who suddenly finds himself in the legendary world of King Arthur. Armed with modern knowledge and a strong belief in progress, he begins to reshape the medieval society around him, often clashing with its traditions and superstitions. The story blends humor, satire, and adventure as it explores the tension between old ways of thinking and new ideas, while also questioning whether change always leads to improvement.

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Content

PREFACE
A WORD OF EXPLANATION
CHAPTER I. CAMELOT
CHAPTER II. KING ARTHUR’S COURT
CHAPTER III. KNIGHTS OF THE TABLE ROUND
CHAPTER IV. SIR DINADAN THE HUMORIST
CHAPTER V. AN INSPIRATION
CHAPTER VI. THE ECLIPSE
CHAPTER VII. MERLIN’S TOWER
CHAPTER VIII. THE BOSS
CHAPTER IX. THE TOURNAMENT
CHAPTER X. BEGINNINGS OF CIVILIZATION
CHAPTER XI. THE YANKEE IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURES
CHAPTER XII. SLOW TORTURE
CHAPTER XIII. FREEMEN
CHAPTER XIV. “DEFEND THEE, LORD”
CHAPTER XV. SANDY’S TALE
CHAPTER XVI. MORGAN LE FAY
CHAPTER XVII. A ROYAL BANQUET
CHAPTER XVIII. IN THE QUEEN’S DUNGEONS
CHAPTER XIX. KNIGHT-ERRANTRY AS A TRADE
CHAPTER XX. THE OGRE’S CASTLE
CHAPTER XXI. THE PILGRIMS
CHAPTER XXII. THE HOLY FOUNTAIN
CHAPTER XXIII. RESTORATION OF THE FOUNTAIN
CHAPTER XXIV. A RIVAL MAGICIAN
CHAPTER XXV. A COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION
CHAPTER XXVI. THE FIRST NEWSPAPER
CHAPTER XXVII. THE YANKEE AND THE KING TRAVEL INCOGNITO
CHAPTER XXVIII. DRILLING THE KING
CHAPTER XXIX. THE SMALLPOX HUT
CHAPTER XXX. THE TRAGEDY OF THE MANOR-HOUSE
CHAPTER XXXI. MARCO
CHAPTER XXXII. DOWLEY’S HUMILIATION
CHAPTER XXXIII. SIXTH CENTURY POLITICAL ECONOMY
CHAPTER XXXIV. THE YANKEE AND THE KING SOLD AS SLAVES
CHAPTER XXXV. A PITIFUL INCIDENT
CHAPTER XXXVI. AN ENCOUNTER IN THE DARK
CHAPTER XXXVII. AN AWFUL PREDICAMENT
CHAPTER XXXVIII. SIR LAUNCELOT AND KNIGHTS TO THE RESCUE
CHAPTER XXXIX. THE YANKEE’S FIGHT WITH THE KNIGHTS
CHAPTER XL. THREE YEARS LATER
CHAPTER XLI. THE INTERDICT
CHAPTER XLII. WAR!
CHAPTER XLIII. THE BATTLE OF THE SAND BELT
CHAPTER XLIV. A POSTSCRIPT BY CLARENCE