Luck By Mark Twain: Note, This Is Not A Fancy Sketch I Got I

Luck By Mark Twainnote This Is Not A Fancy Sketch I Got It From

“Luck” by Mark Twain is a humorous yet insightful narrative that explores the role of luck, ignorance, and unintended consequences in success, especially through the lens of military achievement. Twain recounts an anecdote shared by a clergyman about a young officer, Lieutenant-General Lord Arthur Scoresby, whose brilliance and rise through military ranks are largely attributed to sheer luck rather than competence or strategic genius.

The story begins with the narrator observing Scoresby at a banquet, marveling at his modesty and innocence despite his fame. The clergyman then offers a revealing critique, claiming that Scoresby’s fame is merely an accident of luck. This assertion surprises the narrator, who initially perceives Scoresby as a heroic and accomplished figure, celebrated for his bravery and leadership. The clergyman’s perspective, however, is rooted in the officer’s early scholastic failures and a subsequent superficial understanding of his abilities.

The narrative delves into Scoresby’s early life, highlighting his poor academic performance and the clergyman’s charitable act of coaching him primarily in superficial knowledge, which allowed him to pass examinations and impress during military assessments. When tested on mathematics—an area crucial for real military competence—Scoresby floundered but still managed to win awards, further exemplifying how luck and superficial study can produce false appearances of expertise.

Twain then underscores the dangers of such luck-driven success by describing Scoresby’s actual military service during the Crimean War. Despite his incompetence, his luck continued to elevate him, culminating in his promotion to captain and assignment to dangerous battlefield roles. Twain vividly narrates Scoresby’s blunders, which in a normal scenario would have led to disaster, but due to the misinterpretation of others and the chaos of war, these mistakes appeared as inspired decisions. The most famous incident involves Scoresby mistakenly deploying troops in a way that resulted in a miraculous Russian retreat, earning him accolades and decorations.

Throughout the story, Twain emphasizes the paradox that a series of foolish actions, when accompanied by inexplicable luck, can lead to legendary success. Scoresby’s unwavering luck and the misconceptions of those around him serve as a critique of society’s tendency to overvalue reputation and appearances over genuine competence. Twain suggests that much of life’s success is arbitrated by fortune rather than merit, and this satire invites readers to question the true source of achievement and greatness.

The story concludes with Twain reflecting on how Scoresby’s luck has obscured his real abilities, and how the officer’s unearned accolades have published him into history as a remarkable hero. Twain’s portrayal resonates as a humorous but poignant reminder of human folly, the power of luck, and the importance of humility when recognizing true merit. Overall, “Luck” exemplifies Twain’s sharp wit and skepticism regarding societal values, exposing the thin veneer that often disguises mediocrity as excellence.

References

• Twain, M. (1891). Luck. Retrieved from [appropriate source]
• Eno, R. (1994). Mark Twain: A Life. University of California Press.
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