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CHAPTER NOTES: A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR’S COURT
CHAPTER 7: “MERLIN’S TOWER”
Summary
Hank Morgan is elevated to the second highest position in the Kingdom. He is given silk robes and a luxurious suite. Even so, this modern man becomes restless. He realizes he misses the marvels of science that once brightened his life in the nineteenth century.
The eclipse miracle has boosted his image. People from far and near
had witnessed the spectacle and now extol his powers. Clarence becomes
his close companion. Only Merlin feels antagonistic towards him. The once
chief magician envies Morgan’s power and popularity. He spreads a wild
rumor that Morgan is a humbug--an imposter. To prove Merlin wrong and
to enhance his own image, Morgan decides to work another miracle. He makes
an announcement that Merlin’s tower will be exploded by fire from the
sky and orders the old magician to be shifted to a prison cell till then.
He enlists Clarence’s help in making gunpowder and spreads it beneath
the stone layers of the tower. He makes lightening rods and wires. On
the chosen day, he challenges Merlin to reverse the spell he is about
to perform. After Merlin’s futile attempts to halt the course of events,
Morgan throws his arms upward to the sky. The lightening rods inflame
the wires connected to the Tower and charge the gunpowder to blast the
structure. Morgan is acclaimed a master magician and Merlin is disgraced.
When the King decides to banish Merlin, Morgan asks His Majesty to forgive
the old magician and rebuild his tower, making him appear gracious and
full of pity.
Notes
Morgan finds it difficult to adjust to the life in Camelot because he misses the luxuries of life to which he is accustomed. He is unable to read the newspaper or listen to the radio as he had done at his home in Connecticut. Also, he is puzzled by the attitudes and behaviors all around. Morgan is surprised that people admire him as a hero but do not take his autograph, as they would have done in the nineteenth century.
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He reveals himself as a man who desires appreciation and admiration,
but he does not feel he has gotten enough of it. He craves universal admiration
and Merlin’s distrust of him is troublesome. In order to earn the favor
of the King and establish his superiority over Merlin, Morgan decides
to work another miracle, again with the assistance of scientific knowledge.
He creates dramatic effects to impress the King and his subjects; this
time, however, he is not using science or his “skills” to save himself,
but to elevate his spirits.
CHAPTER 8: “THE BOSS”
Summary
Morgan surveys his position in the court of King Arthur. He is now a
man of enormous power and importance. He is called “The Boss”. No one
dares question him or find fault with him. He has enough opportunity to
realize his dreams of importance and respectability in this backward state
where there is no competition at all. Even the King is a mere shadow in
comparison to him. He decides to use his influence to make some changes
in the way things are done. That is, he wants to set the course for the
civilization, have them do things his way.
Notes
The whole chapter is Morgan’s soliloquy on his new life. He surveys his position in court and society. Though endowed with power and position, he is dissatisfied. He realizes he has a tremendous opportunity to exploit his potential and climb the ladder of success. He decides to use the opportunity to make this society more like the one he has come from.
The belief in the “Divine Right of Kings” effectively has made slaves of the
common men. As The Boss of the kingdom, people admire Morgan but they
do not revere him because he does not have a noble lineage. He decides
to make changes so that each person is equal in consideration and ability.
Through Morgan, Twain voices his opinion about the authority of the Church,
the divine right of Kings and the plight of the common man. These are
subjects that will appear over and over again in the novel.
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. 12 May 2008 |