Mark Twain is considered one of America’s greatest authors, having created works that are still appreciated around the world today. His famous novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885) are looked upon with admiration and are still read in classrooms and other curriculums today. Twain’s works primarily focus on life in the Southwestern U.S. and its native American populace, which is a reflection of his upbringing in Missouri. He also wrote extensively on topics such as racism, slavery, and philosophy. Within his works, one finds Twain’s unique wit and humor, his thoughtful exploration of race relations, and his vast imagination.
Twain’s early works contain a variety of publications, including non-fiction essays, several short stories, and multiple travelogues. One of Twain’s most renowned pieces of work from this time is Life on the Mississippi, which recounts a journey taken down the Mississippi River during his youth and his adventures along the way. Twain also wrote several satirical pieces during this period, such as A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1889) and The War Prayer (1905). His satiric tales often critiqued issues such as the fallacy of idealized Christianity, that is present in many of his works.
Twain’s later publications cover a much broader range of topics, and some speculate that they are evidence of the author’s political views and disillusionment following the Civil War. What is Man?, a satirical essay on human nature published in 1906, gives readers insight into Twain’s opinion of society and still challenges modern readers today. Twain’s final major novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, discusses issues of freedom, justice and racism using his beloved characters. The novel, however, has found itself stricken from curriculums for decades due to its usage of certain language, although it still remains widely popular despite the controversies.
Satire and Criticism
Whether in his novels, short stories or travelogues, Mark Twain’s writings are often intertwined with social criticism and satire. His works often explored the hypocrisies of society, including issues of politics and religion. In the short story The Mysterious Stranger (1896), Twain attempts to explore the meaning of good and evil in an ultimately futile effort. In the novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Twain satirically comments on the relevance and importance of religion in the middle ages. He also heavily critiques the existing social framework with his works such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The War Prayer and Pudd’nhead Wilson (1894).
Legacy of Twain
Today, the name and works of Twain still remain in the public eye as a wide variety of books, movies and plays based on his works are still being released. Twain’s legacy lives in his works and his witticisms, which are often quoted today. His writing style, characters and story-arches have stayed relevant even over a century after his death and his works continue to capture the spirits of both young and old readers. Twain’s writings are credited with the advancement of American literature and continue to be celebrated and enjoyed by readers of all ages.
Analysis and Reception
Critical reception of Twain’s work has often been immensely positive and many consider him one of the foremost writers of his time. Twain’s writing style and expertise has been the subject of scholarly study, with a particular focus on the elements of humor, dialect and satire present in his works. Many of his works have been analyzed for their themes of adherence to norms and respect of authority, often depicting characters who break away from the taming of society. The cultural significances of his works, such as the exploration of slavery and race in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn have also been discussed extensively.
Tribute and Critical Acclaim
Admired by cultures across the globe, Twain has been honored with several awards and recognitions since his passing. In 2012, the University of California at Berkeley launched the Mark Twain Project, with the goal of creating a comprehensive digital edition of his immense body of works. With the goal of exemplifying his influence and importance in American literature, the University of Missouri established the Mark Twain Professorship of American Humor, the first such professorship in the country. In addition, dozens of statues and public works have been constructed in Twain’s honor.
Cultural Referencing
In films, television shows and other forms of media, Twain and his works have been referenced numerous times. An example of this is the musical ‘Big River’, which is based on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In the Academy Award-winning film, Forrest Gump, Mark Twain is famously quoted in a pivotal scene, giving some insight into his relevance and importance throughout the annals of time. Similarly, Twain and his works are referenced often throughout literature as most authors cite him as an inspirational figure. Twain has also been credited with popularizing certain phrases and terms, such as “white elephant” and “the Gilded Age”, that continue to be used by people today.
Influence on Modern Literature
The influences of Twain have paved the way for contemporary authors and have enabled the advancement of American literature. Without Twain, some of the best-loved modern novels, such as Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) may have never come to fruition. Twain’s popularization of the novel form has opened up several poetic and narrative techniques that authors continue to use today, such as the use of satire, regional stories and use of dialect in fiction. Twain’s influence has been far-reaching and many authors have strived for the measures of success and brilliance that Twain achieved with his career.
Conclusion
From his works to his staying power in pop culture, Mark Twain holds a beloved place in American literature and will continue to be an icon for many generations to come. His works, which contain ideas that are still applicable today, provide readers with thought-provoking messages and the nuanced stories of the characters he created allow readers to understand and explore his ideas even further. His life and works remain memorable and influential, earning him not only a station in literary history, but also in popular culture and in the hearts of readers everywhere.
