A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
The protagonist and narrator, a 19th-century Yankee engineer who finds himself in King Arthur's Camelot. He uses his knowledge of science and technology to outwit the medieval court.
A Word of Explanation
The stranger who introduces himself as a practical Yankee from Hartford, Connecticut, a skilled mechanic and factory superintendent who was transported to Camelot after a fight.
I: Camelot
The narrator, who is bewildered by his surroundings and the reactions of the people to him.
King Arthur's Court
The narrator, a practical Connecticut man, who is trying to understand his situation and plans to use the eclipse to his advantage.
III: Knights of the Table Round
The narrator, observing and critiquing the knights' behavior and the court's dynamics.
IV: Sir Dinadan the Humorist
The narrator and protagonist, who is condemned to death and stripped of his clothes, then thrown into a dungeon.
An Inspiration
Imprisoned and sentenced to burn, Hank uses his knowledge of history and science to bluff his way out by claiming to be a magician who can cause an eclipse.
The Eclipse
The protagonist, imprisoned and facing execution, uses his knowledge of an upcoming solar eclipse to save himself and gain power.
VII: Merlin’s Tower
Now the second personage in the kingdom, Hank enjoys fame but struggles with the lack of modern amenities. He devises a plan to blow up Merlin's tower to maintain his reputation.
VIII: The Boss
Reflects on his power, his unique status, and his disdain for inherited titles; he is known as 'The Boss'.
The Tournament
The narrator and protagonist, who attends tournaments as a statesman and business man, and establishes a patent office.
X: Beginnings of Civilization
Narrator and protagonist; reflects on his secret civilization-building and prepares for Sir Sagramor's challenge.
The Yankee in Search of Adventures
The Boss, assigned the quest by the king, skeptical of the girl's tale, and frustrated by the lack of practical information.
XII: Slow Torture
The narrator and protagonist, suffering from the physical discomforts of armor and Sandy's endless talk.
XIII: Freemen!
The narrator and protagonist, who critiques feudal society, suffers in his armor, and recruits a peasant for his Man-factory.
XIV: “Defend Thee, Lord!”
The Boss reflects on currency values, uses his pipe to frighten peasants and knights, and relies on Sandy to negotiate the knights' surrender.
Sandy's Tale
The Boss, frustrated by Sandy's archaic storytelling and nostalgic for his 19th-century love.
XVI: Morgan le Fay
Narrator and protagonist; reflects on his soap missionary scheme and meets Morgan le Fay.
A Royal Banquet
The Boss, King Arthur's representative, observes the banquet and later intervenes to save Hugo from torture, offering him a place in his colony.
In the Queen's Dungeons
Narrates the chapter, pardons a man for killing a deer, demotes the executioner, reflects on training and conscience, and frees prisoners.
XIX: Knight-Errantry as a Trade
Narrates the chapter, compares knight-errantry to pork speculation, and reflects on the recent haul of prisoners.
The Ogre's Castle
The narrator and protagonist, traveling with Sandy, encounters Sir Madok and reflects on the oppression of the people.
XXI: The Pilgrims
Reflects on cultural relativism and the power of training; decides to observe the kingdom firsthand by joining the pilgrimage.
The Holy Fountain
Uses practical methods to diagnose the well's leak, plans a future dynamite miracle, and reflects on the power of advertising and old habits of mind.
Restoration of the Fountain
Plans and executes the restoration of the well using a pump, fireworks, and theatrical staging, asserting his superiority over Merlin.
A Rival Magician
The Boss, now influential in the Valley of Holiness, confronts a rival magician, rebuilds the bath, and plans a peasant disguise to study common life.
XXV: A Competitive Examination
Observes the king's court and reflects on the flaws of monarchy; proposes a compromise for the army.
The First Newspaper
Disguised as a petty freeman, Hank plans to explore the countryside and reforms the king's-evil ceremony by substituting gold coins with nickels. He is thrilled by the arrival of the first newspaper but feels a discordant note in its flippancy, realizing his own change.
The Yankee and the King Travel Incognito
Disguises the king as a peasant, carries a dynamite bomb, and uses it to destroy two knights; reflects on the difficulty of teaching the king to act humbly.
Drilling the King
Serves as the drillmaster, teaching the king how to act like a peasant and reflecting on the differences between intellectual and manual labor.
The Smallpox Hut
Narrator who tries to persuade the king to leave the smallpox hut but stays to help.
XXX: The Tragedy of the Manor-House
Narrator and observer of the tragedy; argues against the king's sense of duty to recapture escaped prisoners, asserting the righteousness of their escape and the inherent manhood of the oppressed.
XXXI: Marco
Narrates the chapter, observes caste behavior, rescues a hanged boy, investigates wages, and arranges a feast.
Dowley's Humiliation
Plans and executes the extravagant dinner to humble Dowley and showcase his own wealth and power.
Sixth Century Political Economy
The Boss, who debates economics and predicts future wage increases.
XXXIV: The Yankee and the King Sold as Slaves
Narrates the experience of being sold into slavery, reflecting on the law's cruelty and his own past indifference to such injustices.
A Pitiful Incident
Narrates the chapter, reflects on the king's pride and the nature of manhood, plans an escape, and observes the brutality of slavery and English justice.
An Encounter in the Dark
Narrates his enslavement in London, devises an escape plan using a stolen clasp, and is arrested after mistakenly fighting a stranger.
An Awful Predicament
Narrator and protagonist; imprisoned, escapes, sends telegram, recaptured.
Sir Launcelot and Knights to the Rescue
The Boss, minister to the king, orchestrates the rescue and reflects on the king's dignity.
The Yankee's Fight with the Knights
The Boss, champion of common sense, enters the lists against Sir Sagramor after defeating Sir Launcelot with his lariat.
Three Years Later
Narrates the chapter, reflecting on his achievements and future plans, and personally nurses his sick daughter.
XLI: The Interdict
Returns from his child's sickbed to find England under the Interdict; travels in disguise to Camelot, witnessing the collapse of his civilization.
War!
Hank learns of Arthur's death and the Interdict; he issues a Proclamation declaring a Republic.
The Battle of the Sand-Belt
The Boss, commander of the fifty-two boys, writes letters to Sandy and orchestrates the defense of the cave.
A Postscript by Clarence
Wounded by Sir Meliagraunce while aiding the fallen; falls into a deep sleep after Merlin's enchantment.
Final P.S. by M. T.
The stranger, dying and delirious, speaks to Sandy and recalls his dreams of Camelot.
