What Was The Real Name of Mark Twain?
Mark Twain is the pen name of the well-renowned American author and humorist, Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Despite attaining great success as both a world-renowned humorist and author of books such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, it is interesting to note that Twain was not actually his given name. In fact, he even made reference to this when he said: “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter-it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.
In a span of forty years, Twain produced nearly thirty books. He achieved sufficient fame to earn him a comfortable living and recognition as one of the foremost humorists of the 19th century. But his rise to fame was not simply achieved overnight. Twain had to work several jobs before becoming one of the America’s most celebrated authors.
Twain’s journey to fame started with his first publication of his short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”. Upon completing it, Twain submitted it to the newspaper editor of the Californian, which resulted in his story being published and gaining national recognition. With the success of the story, Twain decided to use the pseudonym “Mark Twain”, a term used by Mississippi steamboat captains to measure the depth of water.
Through his prolific writing, Twain’s writing style has become iconic and one of the most recognizable in American literature. His writing style included using wit, irony and sarcasm to poke fun at social norms and even himself. His knack for commenting on the human condition has inspired generations and notably earned him an honorary doctorate from Yale in 1894 and the title of “The Father of American Literature” from William Dean Howells.
In addition to his published writings, Twain also regularly made appearances and delivered lectures in public halls, colleges and before supporting groups. His lectures also served as source of income and eventually allowed him to repay his many debts. His works along with his public presence have helped shape the cultural perception of American literature, and he remains an inspiration to many new generations of authors.
Authors Who Are Inspired By Mark Twain
Since coming to fame, many authors throughout the centuries have been inspired by Mark Twain’s writing. Notable among them include Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy Parker, J.D Salinger and author Harlan Ellison who famously said “if there hadn’t been a Mark Twain, there would be no Ernest Hemingway.” Ellison also noted that Twain’s influence extended beyond writers, claiming that “without Twain, American literary criticism as we know it, would have not only been late in arriving, but far less substantial and influential”.
Writers such as Twain have provided insight into the human experiences, commonly addressing social issues of the time such as deprivation, greed, longing and alienation. His works also offer compelling storylines,such as the iconic adventures of Tom Sawyer, whilst also introducing timeless themes, such as those of societal hypocrisy, family values, and childhood innocence.
How Did Twain’s Pen Name Become Well-known?
As mentioned earlier, Twain’s pen name (Mark Twain) was all due to his first work, where he adopted the pseudonym of “Mark Twain” for the celebratred Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. The local story from the western part of the USA was a far cry from his more famous works, however it did prove that Twain could spin a good yarn. His success with this story would soon be followed by one of Twain’s most famous works, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in 1876.
Much of Twain’s success is also owed to his efforts to promote his own work. In 1872, Twain traveled to England in order to meet the various publishers on both sides of the Atlantic and gain more readers. This trip proved to be a turning point in his life, as his efforts resulted in him gaining a significant fan-base in England and later throughout the world.
It was through these efforts that Twain was able to spread his work and gain both success and recognition for his writing talents. As such, to this day, the pen name “Mark Twain” is well known around the world and is associated with one of America’s greatest authors.
Why Did Twain Choose His Pen Name?
When deciding upon his pseudonym, Twain was influenced by his time on the Mississippi River in Missouri, where he often found himself surrounded by steamboats and occasionally found work as a pilot for these very boats. During his time there, Twain became well-acquainted with the river and its history, which ultimately served as an inspiration for many of his works. It was during this time that Twain heard the term “mark twain” spoken by some of the captains.
The term was used by the boatmen to measure the depth of the river, so, when Twain chose ‘Mark Twain’ as his pseudonym, it was a way of reflecting his connection to the river. As he often commented with his characteristic wit, “mark twain” was simply “a mild expletive”, reflecting his humour and connection to the Mississippi River.
Mark Twain’s Legacy
It is clear that Twain’s literary works have influenced numerous authors over the years and continue to have a lasting legacy decades after his death. From the American classic, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, to Huckleberry Finn, Twain’s works have continued to capture the imagination of children and adults alike for generations. His works have also been seen in various forms of television, comics, and even film.
In addition to being remembered as one of America’s greatest authors, Twain’s experiences and the events of his life provide a valuable source of insight into 19th century America. Twain’s writings have also inspired various international adaptations of his works, with some of his most popular pieces even being translated into dozens of languages.
It is therefore clear that Mark Twain’s pen name has long outlasted the man himself and his works will undoubtedly remain forever timeless in the annals of literary history.
What Is The Connection Between Twain and Literature?
Mark Twain’s contribution to American letters have set him a class apart from his fellow authors. Twain used his pen name for a powerhouse of a career writing about timeless themes such as love, nature, death and morality. His reflections on the human condition in stories such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer has become classic literature.
Through his mastery of craft, he was able to transpire his social views and create complex characters that are embedded in American literature. His from of realism and satire have also served as elements to his writing that differ from convention. His use of vivid imagery, colloquialism and wit still resonates today as contemporary readers seek to understand how his works can be related to their lives.
It is then safe to say that Mark Twain has been able to instil the foundations of classic literature through the innovative use of his storytelling talents.
What Was Mark Twain’s Professional Background?
In addition to his literary works, Twain’s background was actually quite varied. As a young man, Twain had a variety of jobs in newspapers and publishers, as well as several occupations in retail and business. He worked in the newspaper offices of Keokuk, Iowa and later in Cincinnati, Ohio. He worked as a printer, steamboat pilot, prospector, miner and a jack of all trades before settling on a career as a writer and lecturer.
Twain established his reputation as an expert on the Mississippi River, writing his first novel, Life on the Mississippi based on his experiences traveling and living on the river. His subsequent works, including Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, were well-received by critics and public alike.
He was also a popular speaker, with many of his lectures tackling a variety of topics. He was a fervent traveller and had a thirst for knowledge, attracting crowds throughout the country and abroad. He also had several books published about his love for travel and his interests in history, science and culture.
It is clear that Twain’s background beyond literature reveals his talents and his knack for storytelling. He had a love for the written and spoken word and it is this that serves as a testament to his legacy.
