The War Prayer

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1905

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Summary

Background

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Mark Twain did not publish “The War Prayer” in his lifetime but instructed that it be published after he died. What truth does Twain express with the story, and why do you think he might have waited to publish it until after he died?

Twain wrote “The War Prayer” after a decade of personal hardships. How are these hardships reflected in the tone of the story?

The story was written near the end of Twain’s career. In what ways does the story differ from his early short stories such as “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”?