Biography
Mark Twain was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He is most noted for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which has been called “the Great American Novel,” and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. His wit and satire, in prose and in speech, earned praise from critics and peers, and he was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty.
Twain was born in Florida, Missouri in 1835 and raised in Hannibal, Missouri. His father was an attorney and he was educated in local schools. He left school when he was 12, and his father died the following year. He studied briefly at the University of Missouri in 1851, then worked as an apprentice typesetter and printer in Hannibal. He subsequently became a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River and later penned his piloting memoirs in Life on the Mississippi.
He worked as a printer in New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis before being appointed a steamship pilot on the Mississippi River in 1857. Twain became a master at it, lamenting the change in river conditions that had caused his job to become obsolete.
In 1862, he volunteered for the Confederate Army. After the end of the war, he traveled to Nevada, first to Washoe, then to Carson City, to become a miner and journalist. Risqué jokes and tall tales, in newspapers under various pseudonyms, teased friends, expressed his passions, and found their way into his fiction.
He left Carson City in 1864 and sailed for Hawaii, then called the Sandwich Islands. He had written for the Territorial Enterprise in Virginia City, Nevada, which described his experiences in the Hawaiian Islands.
He returned to San Francisco in 1867 and continued writing for the Enterprise. In 1868, he published his offbeat novel The Innocents Abroad, a travelogue of his journey to and observations in Europe. After the bankruptcy of the San Francisco Chronicle, he moved to New York City and wrote for The Galaxy, and later for newspapers such as The Hartford Courant and Alta California.
Writing Style
Mark Twain is a great example of how writers in the 19th century were able to use satire and euphemism to convey politically incorrect opinions while maintaining an aura of respectability. Twain’s writing was originally influenced by the works of William Makepeace Thackeray and Charles Dickens, who wrote in a vernacular and published their works in monthly installments.
Twain’s prose style, combining natural expression with comedic exaggeration, draws its main elements from the written languages of the American south, using mimicry, parochial language, and fractured spelling as a way of complicating the definition of Americanness. Twain’s language reveals a bigotry sometimes acceptable in his day, but unacceptable in the present, while simultaneously offering an alternative point of view that is both critical and liberating. Twain’s writing also has a strong element of parody, as published in his short story, “A True Story, Repeated Word-for-Word as I Heard It” (1874).
In his humorous revisionist literature, Twain challenged ordinary expectations of the written word. His adherence to a very rigid epistolary format, for instance, often manifests itself as something of a meta-commentary in his fiction, the personal letters telling a story that stays within the confines of a particular form—or rather manipulating it to tell another.
The power of Twain’s writing comes from his ability to rewrite and recreate American history in his imagination, transcending possible conceptions of the real—putting a twist on what would seem to be real or possible. Consequently, Twain’s work displays both an appreciation for honest narrative, as well as a sharp criticism of the use and abuse of power.
Political Views
Twain was a vocal progressive, and his political views strongly favored the working class. He was critical of those in positions of power, including religious groups and other organizations that would seek to exploit or oppress the less fortunate. He also wrote often about race relations and wrote a series of articles crusading against lynching.
Twain came to be seen as a voice of conscience and moral authority within the nineteenth-century by vigorously advocating the abolition of slavery. His well-received pro-Union pieces, such as “The Private History of a Campaign that Failed,” and “What Is Man?” were widely read, and led to his being seen as an important social critic.
Twain was a blunt man and did not shy away from talking about controversial topics. He was an outspoken critic of organized religion, believing that individuals should be tolerant of each other’s beliefs, but also that authorities should not try to dictate or suppress individual liberty. He also challenged social conventions, such as class and gender roles, that limited the freedom of individuals.
Legacy
In 1867 Mark Twain received his first literary award, a gold medal from the California Academy of Sciences, for “Roughing It,” his travel book about his journey across the American continent. He became well-known in literary circles and even better known after the success of his novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published in 1884. After the death of President Ulysses S. Grant he was named main speaker for the Grant memorial ceremony in 1885.
Mark Twain wrote more than Books and short stories, his entire life was a creative endeavour, as he worked with various organizations and spoke out on various issues. He also achieved greatness as a lecturer, many cite him as the first great American stand-up comedian.
Today, Mark Twain is one of the most celebrated authors in American literature. He is well known for his biting wit and his unique style of storytelling that encourages readers to think critically about the accepted societal norms of the time. His legacy remains alive in the current generations of writers, and his works continue to be some of the most studied in American literature.
Personality
Throughout his life, Twain was considered a larger-than-life character. He was known for his humor and wit, and even used to lead a traveling press club known as a “publishing wagon.” He was a fan of practical jokes and had a “knack for getting into scrapes.”
In 1867, his first book was published and was an instant success. From then on, Twain kept busy with the production of novels, plays, lectures, and essays. “He was a major celebrity and was often sought after for advice,” says Yale’s Dr. Emory Elliott. He was a beloved author and lecturer, and found himself in the company of former presidents, current royalty, and major figures of the artistic, literary, and scientific elite.
In his spare time Twain enjoyed music, cigars, and card games. He also liked to host dinner parties, which often took on a literary theme; the invited guests were expected to dress and act in the character of a famous figure. Twain was hailed as the life of the party due to his witty humor and storytelling ability.
Philanthropy
Throughout his life, Twain was an outspoken advocate for the rights and needs of disadvantaged people. He was also a generous giver, contributing money to various charities and worthy endeavors. After an earthquake in 1906, Twain donated a sum of money to the San Francisco School of Cooking, helping to keep the organization going in its time of need.
Twain was a strong believer in the importance of education, and bequeathed two memorial funds: one at Oberlin College and the other at his alma mater, the University of Missouri. The funds provided scholarship money for students in need.
He was an advocate for the rights of women and children, donating to the YMCA, YWCA, and the San Francisco Young Women’s Christian Association. In 1907, Twain donated $10,000 to the Children’s Hospital of San Francisco and later on, made a request that a memorial chapel be built at the hospital bearing his name.
Twain’s philanthropic efforts have made a lasting impression on communities throughout the United States and the world. He is remembered as a loyal friend, an outspoken social justice advocate, and one of the greatest writers of all time.
Influence
Twain’s influence on American literature and culture has been considerable. His literature is widely quoted and has been widely anthologized. Widely regarded as an American literary giant, Twain’s works have been praised by writers and critics alike.
The influence of Twain’s works on American culture is difficult to overstate. The characters he created and the situations he wrote about have become embedded in American culture, and so much of our contemporary culture is rooted in his works. His characters are instantly recognizable, and his writing style and themes have been widely imitated.
The impact of Twain’s works is particularly evident in the American South, where his novels and stories have been widely read and embraced by readers from all backgrounds. His writing style has had a lasting impact on literature, as well, and has been credited as the inspiration for a wide variety of authors, from William Faulkner to Zora Neale Hurston.
Twain’s influence on the world of literature and culture is undeniable. He has left a legacy of stories and characters that have captivated readers for years. His works remain relevant and poignant, even in today’s changing environment, and his writing is sure to continue to influence generations of readers to come.
