Jurassic Park and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

1. James Jolley, English 121, PowerPoint Presentation, 12-9-13 Jurassic Park and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

2. Thesis Statement • With the two novels I selected for my paper, I found that the main theme presented in both is with the use of power and how it is used for the advancement of technology • A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court shows the use of power through the advancement of technology by having the Yankee try to use and create new technology to try and improve the lives of those around him

3. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court • The only problem with the thesis presented in the novel is that Morgan (the Yankee) took in too much power and could not handle it • The results of this was that the technology he was trying to create and use for good did not work out • This then lead to disappointment of those around him and made a mockery of the British Monarchy

4. Thesis Continued (Jurassic Park) • The way the main theme is portrayed in Jurassic Park is through Hammond and his team of scientists • They thought that they could take control of the island with the clones of the embryos of the lizards • The only problem was that the power and shear strength of the dinosaurs was too much for them to handle when Nerdy shuts off the power to the island

5. Jurassic Park • Written by Michael Crichton • Was published in 1990 • The novel fit with the time period it was released during because technology was just coming around and being put into full force with the use in people’s every day lives • People were becoming very dependent on technology to do a lot of daily tasks for themselves

6. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court • Written by Mark Twain • Was published in 1889 • The novel was ahead of its time period because technology was not really prevalent during the late 1800’s • It showed how Twain was very good at interpreting what was going to come about in the future and did a very good job of putting it into his novel

7. Plot of Jurassic Park • The novel starts out with the discovery of a lizard in Costa Rica that is believed to be a dinosaur • Dr. Grant is notified to talk about the discovery but is sent to the island Jurassic Park before he can proceed any further with it • Grant tries to explain how he is concerned for the island but no one listens to him

8. Plot Continued • A computer technician on the island named Nerdy then shuts off the power of the park in an attempt to steal 15 embryos • When this happens, the park becomes distraught and dinosaurs escape and this leads to turmoil and death of innocent humans • Grant and friends then devise a plan to try and escape from the island alive

9. Plot of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court • The novel begins with a tourist in England who meets a stranger who tells him part of a strange story then gives him a manuscript for himself to read the rest of it • We learn that the stranger is the Yankee ( Hank Morgan) who is good at making mechanical items for the use of advancing technology

10. Plot Continued • Morgan is then captured and put in front of the court • The “miracle” then happens and Morgan blows up Merlin’s castle • Morgan then puts off his quest for some time until the king agrees to send him along with the others to try and free the mistress and others being held captive

11. Plot Continued • Morgan then inserts new rules and ways for England and all is well until he finds out that the changes he made have fallen under an Interdict of the Catholic Church • He then returns to Camelot for one final battle with Clarence against most of England • Merlin then casts a spell on him which makes him sleep for 1,300 years and the novel ends with a tourist reaching Morgan’s room just as he dies

12. Works Cited • My sources for my digital presentation are all the same ones I used to compose my Comparative Analysis Paper • See paper for sources