Questions for Discussion

1. According to Mark Twain, “It is our nature to conform” (para. 7); he also says that we do so for self-approval. The two statements seem contradictory; how does Twain connect conformity and self-approval?

   Chapter 11 - Corn-Pone Opinions - Questions for Discussion: According to Mark Twain, “It is our nature to conform” (para. 7); he also says that we do so for self-approval. The two statements seem contradictory; how does Twain connect conformity and self-approval?
2. Twain makes a distinction between “standards” and “fashions” (para. 10). What is the difference? What examples does he provide for each? How does the distinction apply to the twenty-first century?

   Chapter 11 - Corn-Pone Opinions - Questions for Discussion: Twain makes a distinction between “standards” and “fashions” (para. 10). What is the difference? What examples does he provide for each? How does the distinction apply to the twenty-first century?
3. Twain’s essay is ultimately a denunciation of cultural chauvinism. What consequences does he suggest are the result of “corn-pone opinions”? Which are explicit? Which are implicit?

   Chapter 11 - Corn-Pone Opinions - Questions for Discussion: Twain’s essay is ultimately a denunciation of cultural chauvinism. What consequences does he suggest are the result of “corn-pone opinions”? Which are explicit? Which are implicit?
4. The last paragraph begins with a reference to a “late canvass” in which “half the nation passionately believed” in one path and “the other half as passionately believed” in another. To what was Twain probably referring? Does he take sides? How does he distinguish between thinking and feeling?

   Chapter 11 - Corn-Pone Opinions - Questions for Discussion: The last paragraph begins with a reference to a “late canvass” in which “half the nation passionately believed” in one path and “the other half as passionately believed” in another. To what was Twain probably referring? Does he take sides? How does he distinguish between thinking and feeling?
5. In what two ways does a political emergency bring out corn-pone opinions? What does Twain mean by “an ass of high degree” (para. 11)?

   Chapter 11 - Corn-Pone Opinions - Questions for Discussion: In what two ways does a political emergency bring out corn-pone opinions? What does Twain mean by “an ass of high degree” (para. 11)?