『아서 왕 궁전의 코네티컷 양키』에 나타난 두 목소리

Two Voices in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

This paper aims to explore optimism and pessimism that are revealed in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Hank Morgan, the bearer of American democracy, enlightenment, progress and industrial capitalism and American typical hero in the new urban-industrial world, begins his career in Arthurian England and satirizes feudal class system, underdeveloped civilization and human ignorance. He decides to reform Arthurian England. This novel suggests Twain's optimistic reform vision through modern technocrat Hank, but at the same time the author gives his hero critical limitation which expresses his disillusionment about American dream and its illusory vision. Hank's attempts to reform the Arthurian England resulted in a catastrophic failure which was tantamount to total holocaust, despite of his democratic ideals and technical skills. The fact that Hank is doomed to failure reflects Twain's loss of confidence in the direction of his contemporary American society. Through many episodes, especially the tragic ending, we can see the gradual change of Twain's deepening pessimistic views on human nature and social institutions.