One of the most iconic American authors of all time, Mark Twain, was known the world over for his comedies, adventures and unique perception. However, another thing that Twain was known for was drinking – or rather, his avoidance of it. Many have asked themselves, did Mark Twain drink?
In his lifetime, Twain had a complicated relationship with alcohol. On one hand, he was a strong advocate of temperance and even contributed to an article in the newspaper the Brooklyn Eagle, in which he urged members of the temperance society to stop their consumption of alcohol and take a pledge of abstinence. On the other hand, Twain was known for his ability to charm people with his wit and humour, often over drinks.
While in San Francisco, Twain was known to frequent the Occidental Hotel, where he often held “lively exchanges,” enjoying “rounds of laughter” with friends of old. Although, in one interview, Twain stated that he only drank wine, he could often be found at the saloons of Virginia City where he was known to partake in the occasional beer.
Twain often wrote about drinking and its effects in his stories and letters, and while he sometimes romanticized its effects, he was critical of the “needless intoxicants” that people consumed, something that he believed could drive them to destitution. He also staunchly believed in sobriety, as embodied in his quotes, such as “If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.”
Considering that Twain was known for avoiding the bottle, it is thought that he was most likely a teetotaler – and it turns out, he was. Despite being a socialite who often attended parties, Twain was quoted to have said, “I never drink anything stronger than ginger ale, and am a firm believer in temperance.”
In his writings, Twain was often critical of alcohol, as it was often synonymous with poverty in many of his stories, as seen in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” and “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.” This is likely due to his upbringing, as his father had a reputation of being an alcoholic and Twain himself may have seen the potential effects of alcoholism on people’s lives first-hand.
This disdain for alcohol was probably inspired by Twain’s religious faith, as he was born into a Presbyterian family but converted to a Quaker when he was a teenager. In his writings, he often portrayed Quakers are saintly figures, and as such, believed in sobriety, as it goes hand-in-hand with spiritual purity.
Therefore, it can be concluded that although Twain enjoyed the atmosphere of a saloon, and the “raucousness of company”, he never drank. As evidenced by his words, deeds, and personal opinion, he believed this to be the right course of action.
Innocence Lost – Attitude Towards Alcohol
In many ways, Twain’s writing encapsulates the innoncence of childhood and the challenges of growing up. Often, there is an element of bittersweetness in these stories, such as with Tom Sawyer’s curiosity of mystery of the graveyard and the adventures of Huck Finn. When it comes to alcohol, however, Twain paints a more somber painting, as it is often seen as a source of destruction and despair, rather than joy and freedom.
In particular, Twain was critical of alcohol for the way it could destroy friendships and relationships, as seen in Tom Sawyer’s friendship with Muff Potter, who was an alcoholic. Twain was also critical of how alcohol could lead to the destruction of family, seen in the book Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, where Huck’s drunken father nearly ruined his life. Twain was considerably more critical of alcohol than he was of other vices.
What’s more is that alcohol was often synonymous with poverty in Twain’s writing. In stories such as “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” and “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg”, poverty and alcohol go hand in hand, as the characters often resort to desperate measures in order to get a drink – an action that Twain spoke out against. This practice was more than likely inspired by his own father’s alcohol-fueled poverty, which Twain himself witnessed as a young man.
Foolishness Through Excess – Anti-Alcohol Stances
Twain was a vocal advocate against the use of alcohol, completing contributing to an article in the newspaper the Brooklyn Eagle, in which he urged members of the temperance society to stop their consumption of alcohol and take a pledge of abstinence. He was also known for his articles against alcohol use in other publications, such as the Australian Courier and the London Spectator.
In his articles and private correspondences, Twain also expressed his disdain for irresponsible drinking, especially as it related to the destruction of relationships. He often commented on how drinking could lead to foolish decisions, and even argued in his article in the Brooklyn Eagle that drinking was a sign of weakness, and that the only way to overcome it was through “organized effort and co-operation”. This argument is seen in many of Twain’s stories, as characters quickly resort to drinking when their problems become too difficult to handle.
Twain’s staunch condemnation of alcohol may have also been a reflection of his own beliefs, particularly his religious beliefs. Though Twain was born into a Presbyterian family, he converted to a Quaker when he was a teenager and was an avid supporter of their values. Quakers are well-known for their temperance stance and sober lifestyle, something that Twain likely embraced himself, and which can be seen in many of his writings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite his fondness for social gatherings, it is clear that Twain never actually touched the bottle, choosing instead to promote temperance, sobriety and moderation. His stance on alcohol and its consequences was rooted in his religious beliefs as well as his experiences growing up, especially with his alcoholic father, who had a major influence on Twain’s outlook. It seems that Twain was ultimately a proponent of responsible drinking and a firm believer in abstaining from alcohol.
The Darkness of Alcohol – Depicting its Effects
It is clear that Twain had an obvious aversion to the effects of alcohol, and this is reflected in many of his stories, particularly Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In this story, Twain paints a stark portrait of alcoholism and its impacts. The main character, Huck, is surrounded by alcohol-fueled vices, from the selling of alcohol to gambling and fighting. Twain also focuses particular attention on the character of Pap, Huck’s drunken father, depicting him as a powerful and volatile presence. Through his writing, Twain conveys a nuanced perspective on alcohol, one that is both critical and filled with sympathy for those affected by it.
In other stories such as Tom Sawyer, Twain paints a darker picture of alcohol and its destructiveness, especially on friendships. In the story, Tom’s best friend, Muff Potter, is an alcoholic who is often found inebriated in the graveyard. This is a stark contrast to the childlike innocence of Tom and his friend, as well as the lighthearted adventures they embark upon. For Twain, this sends a powerful message about the dangers of alcohol, as well as the vulnerability of youth.
Twain’s attitude towards alcohol is further strengthened by his use of imagery. In many of his stories, Twain used dark and foreboding metaphors to convey the bleakness of alcoholism and its effects. He often described alcohol as a “torch” that could quickly consume those it came into contact with or a “tide” that could quickly wash away those in its path.
The Reality of Alcohol – Separating Fact From Fiction
Despite his obvious dislike for alcohol, Twain was known for his ability to separate fact from fiction, and as such, many of his tales held a grain of truth. In particular, Twain was able to highlight the true ugliness of alcohol as well as its potential destructiveness. He also managed to capture the finer nuances of drinking, like its social aspects and the camaraderie it fosters.
Far from being a doom-and-gloom prophet of the dangers of alcohol use, Twain was actually rather compassionate when it came to drinking, as seen in the story Tom Sawyer. In the story, Muff Potter, who was an alcoholic, is saved from going to prison due to Tom and his friends’ actions. Here, we can see Twain’s empathy for those affected by alcohol, as well as his belief in second chances.
In this way, Twain was both realistic and sympathetic in his depiction of alcohol, something that can be seen throughout his writing. This, in itself, is a testament to his great writing and storytelling, as he managed to capture the good, the bad and the ugly of alcohol in a realistic and humanizing manner.
The Overarching Legacy – Promoting Sobriety and Moderation
At the end of the day, it is clear that Twain was a staunch advocate of sobriety and moderation, something that can be seen in many of his writings and public statements. Though he was often known to be a socialite, it is believed he never actually touched the bottle, instead opting for the occasional glass of wine or beer for “medicinal purposes.” His beliefs and attitude towards alcohol would later inspire many other writers, including Ernest Hemingway, who even went so far as to proclaim Twain as “the father of all modern American literature.”
Despite his aversion to alcohol use, Twain was able to capture the realities of drinking, as well as its potential consequences. Twain’s depiction of alcohol and its effects are still relevant today, and his legacy, one of temperance and moderation, is still alive and well.
