Setting

Mark Twain's novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court takes place primarily in 6th century England during the legendary reign of King Arthur. The story begins in the modern 19th century but quickly shifts to medieval Camelot after the protagonist, Hank Morgan, is transported back in time. This juxtaposition of eras allows Twain to contrast 19th century American sensibilities and technology with medieval British society and customs.

The bulk of the action occurs in and around Camelot, the legendary capital of Arthur's kingdom. Key locations include King Arthur's court, where Hank first arrives and later serves as a high-ranking official, as well as the surrounding countryside where he travels on various quests and adventures. Twain vividly depicts medieval castles, villages, monasteries and other locales typical of Arthurian romance, viewed through the critical lens of his 19th century narrator.

While most of the novel is set in medieval Britain, brief scenes take place in Hank's home state of Connecticut at the beginning and end of the story. This framing device of a modern American transported to the distant past allows Twain to humorously and satirically compare the two vastly different time periods and societies throughout the novel. The contrast between industrialized 19th century America and feudal 6th century England is central to the book's premise and themes.

Characters

• Hank Morgan: The protagonist, a 19th-century mechanic from Connecticut who is transported back in time to King Arthur's court. He uses his modern knowledge to become a powerful figure.

• King Arthur: The legendary king of Camelot. Initially skeptical of Hank but comes to trust and rely on him.

• Merlin: The court magician who sees Hank as a rival and attempts to discredit him.

• Sandy: A young woman Hank encounters on his travels who becomes his wife.

• Clarence: A young page who becomes Hank's loyal assistant and friend.

• Sir Kay: The knight who first captures Hank and brings him to Camelot.

• Morgan le Fay: King Arthur's enchantress sister who Hank encounters on his travels.

• Sir Sagramore: A knight who challenges Hank to a duel.

• Queen Guenever: King Arthur's wife, whose affair with Lancelot leads to war.

• Sir Lancelot: Arthur's most trusted knight, whose affair with Guenever causes strife.

Quick facts

• A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court was first published in 1889 and is considered one of the earliest examples of time travel fiction.

• Mark Twain was inspired to write the book after reading Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur.

• The protagonist Hank Morgan was based on a real arms factory superintendent Twain had met.

• Twain used the story to satirize romanticized notions of chivalry and monarchy in the Middle Ages.

• The book contains veiled criticism of imperialism, slavery, and the Catholic Church.

• A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court was one of the first works to feature the “fish out of water” trope in time travel stories.

• Twain incorporated real historical events like a solar eclipse in 528 AD into the plot.

• The novel's ending, with its depiction of mass slaughter, foreshadows the carnage of World War I.

• Walt Disney adapted the story into films in 1949, 1979 and 1995.

• A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court has never been out of print since it was first published more than 130 years ago.

About the Author

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was one of America's most beloved authors and humorists. Born in Florida, Missouri, in 1835, Twain grew up along the Mississippi River, which would serve as inspiration for some of his most famous works. After working as a printer and riverboat pilot in his youth, Twain found success as a writer, lecturer, and satirist in the late 19th century. His novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are considered classics of American literature.

Twain was renowned for his wit, social criticism, and mastery of American vernacular. He gained international fame for his travel books like The Innocents Abroad and his lectures, which took him around the world. As he aged, Twain's views became increasingly radical. Though he had supported American imperialism earlier in his life, by 1899 he was a vocal critic of US foreign policy and joined the Anti-Imperialist League. Twain was also an outspoken supporter of abolition, women's suffrage, and labor unions. His political and social commentary often employed biting satire to critique what he saw as injustice and hypocrisy in American society.

Twain's relationship with religion was complex. Though raised as a Presbyterian, he became increasingly critical of organized religion later in life. Some of his most controversial writings on faith were published posthumously, including Letters from the Earth. Twain predicted he would die when Halley's Comet next passed by Earth, just as he had been born during its previous appearance. True to his prophecy, Twain died on April 21, 1910, one day after the comet's closest approach. His wit, insight, and distinctly American voice have ensured his place as one of the country's most influential writers.