Is he Living or is he Dead?

Name: Is he Living or is he Dead?
Author: Mark Twain

The narrative unfolds in Mentone, where the protagonist encounters a wealthy man named Smith, who becomes intrigued by a retired silk manufacturer, Theophile Magnan. Smith recalls a Hans Christian Andersen story about a neglected caged bird that dies, drawing a parallel to how society often overlooks artists until after their demise. Smith then shares a secret from his past as a young artist in France, where he and two friends, Claude and Carl, struggled with poverty while trying to gain recognition for their art. They were taken in by the impoverished but talented artist Francois Millet, who was equally struggling. As their financial situation worsened, Carl proposes a radical plan: one of them should "die" to elevate the others' artistic reputations. They decide to cast lots, and Millet is chosen to "die" while the others promote his work. The plan involves Millet creating numerous sketches and studies, which they will sell under his name, while he lives in disguise. The trio successfully markets Millet's work, generating significant sales and building anticipation for his "death." They orchestrate a grand funeral, attended by many, while Millet, disguised as a relative, helps carry his own coffin. The scheme proves successful, leading to immense wealth from the sale of Millet's works. The protagonist reflects on how they ensured that Millet received the recognition he deserved while alive, contrasting their actions with the common fate of artists who are only celebrated posthumously. The story concludes with the revelation that the man observed earlier was indeed Millet, who escaped the fate of being forgotten and unappreciated.

By Mark Twain · First published 1910 · Genre: Satire, Fiction, Comedy · 3,897 words

First lines

I was spending the month of March 1892 at Mentone, in the Riviera. At this retired spot one has all the advantages, privately, which are to be had publicly at Monte Carlo and Nice, a few miles farther along. That is to say, one has the flooding sunshine, the balmy air and the brilliant blue sea, without the marring additions of human pow-wow and fuss and feathers and display. Mentone is quiet, simple, restful, unpretentious; the rich and the gaudy do not come there. As a rule, I mean, the rich do not come there. Now and then a rich man comes, and I presently got acquainted with one of these. Partially to disguise him I will call him Smith. One day, in the Hotel des Anglais, at the second breakfast, he exclaimed:

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Is he Living or is he Dead? is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mark Twain, dated 1910 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Mark Twain
Date: 1910 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Fiction, Comedy, Philosophical, Drama
Length: 3,897 words
Structure: 1 section, 99 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Satire — The story critiques societal attitudes towards art and the treatment of artists, using humor and irony.
Fiction — The narrative is a fictional account centered around characters and their experiences.
Comedy — The plot contains humorous elements and absurd situations, particularly in the characters' plan to fake a death.
Philosophical — The themes explore deeper questions about life, death, and the value of art.