The War Prayer

Twain wrote “The War Prayer” after a decade of personal hardships. How are these hardships reflected in the tone of the story?

The story was written near the end of Twain’s career. In what ways does the story differ from his early short stories such as “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”?

The stranger appears seemingly out of nowhere and is given no backstory or name. Write a short story that gives the origin of the stranger or the story of what happens to him following the events of “The War Prayer”?

As an allegory, the story uses its narrative and characters to present an underlying message. In this case, Twain illustrates the dangers of nationalism, ignorance, and religious hypocrisy. Create an allegory addressing one of these themes.

If the story were written today, would any details change? If so, what would change and why?

Some of Twain’s works, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, have appeared on banned book lists in school districts. Explain why you think “The War Prayer” should or should not be available for reading in schools.

The story portrays the brutalities of war, but does it make the case that war is never justified? Explain whether the story does or does not advocate pacifism.

How would the story change if it were written in the first-person point of view from the perspective of a soldier shipping off to war? What might that soldier’s thoughts and feelings have been about the stranger’s prayer?