Speech on Accident Insurance. Delivered in Hartf
The speech humorously addresses the significance of accident insurance, particularly in Hartford, a hub for the insurance industry. The speaker expresses pride in welcoming a distinguished guest, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various insurance sectors, including life, fire, and accident insurance. The speaker shares personal reflections on the transformative nature of accident insurance, claiming it has enriched his life and altered his perspective on accidents. He describes how witnessing the benefits of accident insurance has made him appreciate the value of life and the potential for accidents to lead to financial gain. Anecdotes illustrate the positive impact of insurance on individuals and families, highlighting instances where a simple accident, like a broken leg, can elevate someone from poverty to prosperity. The speaker humorously contrasts the joy of those who benefit from insurance with the disappointment of those who cannot collect on claims, using vivid imagery to convey the absurdity of the situation. He promotes the Hartford Accident Insurance Company, asserting its reliability and the inevitability of clients experiencing accidents after purchasing a policy. In conclusion, the speaker acknowledges the lightheartedness of his remarks, reinforcing the idea that humor can coexist with serious topics like insurance. The speech blends satire with genuine appreciation for the role of accident insurance in society, ultimately celebrating its capacity to provide security and support in times of misfortune.
By Mark Twain · First published 1867 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Public Speaking · 608 words
First lines
GENTLEMEN: I am glad, indeed, to assist in welcoming the distinguished guest of this occasion to a city whose fame as an insurance center has extended to all lands, and given us the name of being a quadruple band of brothers working sweetly hand in hand -- the Colt's Arms Company making the destruction of our race easy and convenient, our life insurance citizens paying for the victims when they pass away, Mr. Batterson perpetuating their memory with his stately monuments, and our fire-insurance comrades taking care of their hereafter. I am glad to assist in welcoming our guest first, because he is an Englishman, and I owe a heavy debt of hospitality to certain of his fellow-countrymen; and secondly, because he is in sympathy with insurance and has been the means of making may other men cast their sympathies in the same direction.
What this Textopian page supports
Speech on Accident Insurance. Delivered in Hartford, at a Dinner to Cornelius Walford, of London is listed on Textopian as a speech by Mark Twain, dated 1867 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Speech
- Author: Mark Twain
- Date: 1867 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Humor, Public Speaking, Non-fiction, Social Commentary
- Length: 608 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Speech on Accident Insurance. Delivered in Hartford, at a Dinner to Cornelius Walford, of London by Mark Twain
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Satire — The speech employs humor and irony to critique the insurance industry and societal attitudes towards accidents.
- Humor — The writing style is comedic, using exaggerated scenarios and absurdity to entertain the audience.
- Public Speaking — The work is a speech delivered at a dinner, focusing on oratory skills and audience engagement.
- Non-fiction — The content discusses real concepts related to accident insurance and its societal implications.
Tags
Insurance · Speech · Accident Insurance · Hartford · Dinner · Cornelius Walford · London · Mark Twain · Non-Fiction · Lecture · Financial · Risk Management