Who was Mark Twain?

Mark Twain was a nineteenth century American writer and humorist, famous for his use of regionalism in his short stories and novels, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Mark Twain: American Author and Humorist

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Mark Twain

Mark Twain was a nineteenth century American writer and humorist, famous for his use of regionalism in his short stories and novels. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens on November 30, 1835, Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri. There, he became accustomed to the rhythms of life of the small port on the Mississippi River. The river fascinated him and, at the age of 22, he left work in a print shop to train as a pilot on a Mississippi steamboat. His years piloting the great American river gave him the idea for his eventual pen name, “Mark Twain”, a term riverboat navigators would use to measure water depth.

Twain’s first literary breakthrough came in 1865 when several newspapers and magazines published his short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavaras County”, a humorous fiction which deals with long-winded storytellers and a frog race rigged by a dishonest competitor. The mundane subject of the tale along with the prominent use of regional dialect marked a departure from the accepted conventions of serious writing. Twain’s popularity and public renown increased with his 1869 novel Innocents Abroad in which an American tourist humorously recounts his experiences traveling across Europe. Twain’s distinctly American voice and frequent use of colloquialisms, though not present in all his works, became his best-known hallmarks. These characteristics dominate the two works that have remained most famous today: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Twain’s distinctive style commonly delved into satire and social moralizing, both of which are present in Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. The novels rely on the personages and language common in small town America during the 1800s. The stories also convey a certain nostalgia for a formerly bucolic America and the blissful freedom of childhood. Generally considered the most powerful of his works, Huckleberry Finn derives its thematic depth from its moral exploration of American slavery and its legacy. Though many believe that the novel criticizes the institution and its prejudices, others argue that it perpetuates racism through its many stereotypes and offensive epithets. Banned by some publishers and schools at its publication for its supposedly coarse and immoral subject matter, it has remained one of the most frequently banned books to the present date due to the racist controversy it continues to arouse.

Though Twain’s own philosophy was clearly complicated and cannot be reduced to the themes of a single book, there is no doubt that his thinking left its mark on American literature. Author Ernest Hemingway even claimed that "All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn". His books, with their regionalism and humor, were a welcome addition to the Realist literature of the nineteenth century.

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Famous Works of Mark Twain

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
• The Prince and the Pauper
• The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson
• "Luck"
• A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
• "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"

Mark Twain Quotes

Frequently Asked Questions about Who was Mark Twain?

Who was Mark Twain, and why is he important?

Mark Twain was the pen name of Samuel Clemens, an American author and humorist. He is important for writing classic novels like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which offer insight into American society and are widely studied in schools.

What are some famous books written by Mark Twain?

Mark Twain is best known for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, and The Prince and the Pauper. These books are popular choices for literature classes.

How did Mark Twain's writing influence American literature?

Mark Twain's writing style, use of regional dialects, and focus on social issues helped shape modern American literature. His works encourage critical thinking about society and culture, making him a key figure for educators.

Why did Samuel Clemens choose the name 'Mark Twain'?

Samuel Clemens chose the pen name Mark Twain from a riverboat term meaning 'two fathoms deep.' The name reflects his early career as a steamboat pilot and symbolizes his connection to the Mississippi River.

What are some fun facts about Mark Twain for students?

Mark Twain loved travel and adventure, once worked as a riverboat pilot, and was born shortly after Halley's Comet appeared. He predicted he would die when the comet returned, which proved true in 1910.