My Watch. an Instructive Little Tale
The narrative follows the experience of a man who owns a seemingly perfect watch that runs accurately for eighteen months. When the watch runs down, he takes it to a jeweler who insists on adjusting it, despite the owner's protests. This adjustment leads to the watch gaining time rapidly, eventually becoming over thirteen days ahead. Frustrated, the owner seeks repairs from various watchmakers, each diagnosing different issues and performing repairs that only exacerbate the watch's problems. After multiple attempts at fixing the watch, it exhibits erratic behavior: sometimes running fast, sometimes slow, and occasionally stopping altogether. The owner becomes increasingly exasperated as he misses appointments and falls behind in time. Each watchmaker offers a new diagnosis, from a "swelled barrel" to a "broken king-bolt," but none provide a lasting solution. The watch's performance fluctuates, leading to bizarre occurrences, such as the hands spinning uncontrollably. In a final attempt to resolve the issues, the owner encounters a former steamboat engineer who delivers yet another diagnosis, suggesting an absurd solution involving a "monkey-wrench." This encounter culminates in a violent reaction from the owner, who feels overwhelmed by the incompetence of the repairmen. The story concludes with a reflection on the nature of repairs and the idea that a good watch, like a good horse, can be ruined by the hands of those who attempt to fix it. The narrative critiques the ineptitude of repairmen and the futility of trying to restore something to its original state once it has been tampered with.
By Mark Twain · First published 1866 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Fiction · 1,367 words
First lines
[Written about 1870.]
What this Textopian page supports
My Watch. an Instructive Little Tale is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mark Twain, dated 1866 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mark Twain
- Date: 1866 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Humor, Fiction, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 1,367 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for My Watch. an Instructive Little Tale by Mark Twain
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering My Watch. an Instructive Little Tale?
- How does this short story by Mark Twain fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- A Sure Method by O. Henry
- A Little Talk About Mobs by O. Henry
- The Pride Of The Cities by O. Henry
- The Hand That Riles The World by O. Henry
- A Startling Demonstration by O. Henry
Genres
- Satire — The narrative critiques human incompetence and the absurdity of reliance on technology, characteristic of Twain's satirical style.
- Humor — The exaggerated misadventures with the watch and the absurdity of the watchmakers provide comedic elements throughout the tale.
- Fiction — The story is a fictional account that explores themes of time, technology, and human folly.
- Social Commentary — The tale reflects on societal attitudes towards technology and craftsmanship, highlighting the pitfalls of blind trust in experts.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Humor · Fiction · Short Story · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Morality Tale · Cautionary Story · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Moral Lesson