Mark Twain and James Thurber use conflict and figurative language to develop and enhance their humorous writing. Although a conflict can be humorous in itself, the way the conflict is presented and the tone used by the author can greatly increase the humorous effect. Mark Twain's short story, "A Toast to the Oldest Inhabitant: The Weather of New England," pokes fun at New England's weather uncertainty, while Thurber's short story, "The Dog That Bit People," explores the adventures of a unique character, an incomparable dog. Both authors have a very relaxed, casual and sometimes satirical tone. The tone expressed by Twain and Thurber leads to very humorous atmospheres in these two short stories. Conflict, having the ability to control the entirety of a story, is an integral part of Twain and Thurber's humorous writings. One of the internal conflicts in Twain's short story concerns Twain's feelings and attitude toward the weather. Adding to the humor of the story, Twain writes, "Month after month I accumulate my hatred and resentment against the climate of New England" (524). This internal struggle is the basis of the humor of the story; if Twain had not had an aggravated approach to the weather, the humor of the story would have been greatly missed. The majority of conflicts in Thurber's story are external and originate from Muggs, Thurber's family dog. "Once, when [Roy] came downstairs and found that Muggs had been sullenly chewing the morning paper, he hit him in the face with a grapefruit, then jumped on the dining room table, scattering the dishes and cutlery and spilling the coffee” (Thurber 527). ). Being accessible to everyone, this conflict greatly adds to the humor of the story. The authors' use of hyperbole, or extreme exaggeration, is also middle of paper...... "beefy", "angry". ", "unconscious" and "unusual sight" are humorous because they explain, in a very detailed and unusual way, the attributes of Muggs (Thurber 525-529). The way humor is presented in a short story is often the most memorable part, engaging the reader deep into the heart of the story The humor of Twain and Thurber's short stories is rooted in simple conflicts, exaggerated in hyperbole, sarcastically downplayed in euphemisms, and enhanced by the authors' diction. Both authors used common topics, weather and dogs, to make their humorous short stories appeal to many readers. Humor, when used in appropriate proportions, has the ability to enhance a story and. entertain readers Twain and Thurber's stories are entertaining to read because of their perfect balance of fantasy and reality, truth and lies, humor and tragedy...