Sam Clemens
Mark Twain, born as Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American author and humorist. Today, he remains a household name, known for his iconic works such as “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. Born in a small town in Missouri, Clemens showed an inclination towards literature and writing from an early age. He developed an interest in riverboat life while continuing his formal education, leading him to jump on a steamboat at the age of 18. Clemens’ journey as a steamboat pilot eventually inspired his pen name as Mark Twain, which is a nautical term that describes two fathoms or twelve feet of water.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Throughout his life, Twain was inspired and influenced by many people and literature. Chief among them was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a German poet, novelist, dramatist, and scientist. Goethe’s seminal novel “The Sorrows of Young Werther” inspired Twain in both his writing style and his philosophical outlook on life. Twain even went so far as to say that Goethe had “the kindest heart that ever beat”, citing Goethe’s tendency to deal and interact with people in an easier and more honest way. Critics even argue that Twain’s novels, such as “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, owe much of their style to Goethe’s work.
Jefferson Davis
The influence of the Confederacy’s President Jefferson Davis on Twain’s development can never be underestimated. Twain had a long relationship with the Davis family, stretching back to his childhood and through his adulthood. Twain had a particular interest in Davis’ speeches, often consuming them and attempting to use Davis’ rhetorical style of writing in his own works. His admiration for Davis was both evident and sincere, leading Twain to describe Davis as “the noblest Roman of them all”.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson was a big influence and one of Twain’s greatest admirers. Emerson is widely considered one of the most important American authors and philosopher of all time, and his works had a big impact on all American literature. In particular, Twain was attracted to, and impressed by, the feelings of freedom and adventure in Emerson’s works. Twain always credited Emerson as one of his main sources of inspiration.
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine was a prominent English-American political activist and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States who played a huge role in developing Twain’s political and philosophical ideas. Paine’s work, “Common Sense”, made him one of the most popular types of revolutionaryism at the time, and Twain was captivated by the book. Twain was also deeply touched by Paine’s moral courage and dedication to his beliefs, both of which resonated deeply with Twain’s own core values.
Lorenzo De Medici
Although Twain was an American writer and thinker, he was also heavily influenced by Lorenzo de Medici, an important figure in the Italian Renaissance. In particular, Twain was attracted to de Medici’s rebellious spirit and independence of mind. According to Twain, de Medici was a “burning spirit” and one of the most influential figures of his time. Twain also felt inspired by de Medici’s courage to pursue a better life through hard work and dedication.
Daniel Webster
Finally, Twain was greatly influenced by the writings and philosophy of Daniel Webster, an American politician and statesman. Twain was especially influenced by Webster’s orations and writings. Notably, Twain was inspired by Webster’s ability to combine rhetoric with comedy in his speeches and writings, a technique Twain moved to adopt in his later works. Twain was also inspired by Webster’s passionate commitment to freedom, which he expressed in his writings and speeches.
The Role of Religion
Mark Twain was heavily influenced by the chaotic and unpredictable nature of religion. Through his works, Twain aimed to reveal how irrational beliefs can lead to disastrous consequences. At the same time, Twain used religion to provide structure and morality in his stories, often bombarding his readers with curious observations about human nature and the world around them. Twain believed that religion had an important role to play in the lives of his readers and helped him explore the greatest depths of moral reasoning.
The Power of Nature
In his works, Twain was preoccupied with the power of nature and the environment around us. His theme of “the river” appears often and serves to illustrate the joys and sorrows of life. Twain employed language that encapsulates the beauty of nature. His stories offer a blend of humor, tragedy and an intense exploration of the power of nature over mankind. By depicting the environment in his stories, Twain managed to bring out the reality of the situation in a vivid and captivating way.
The Human Condition
Many of Twain’s books and stories were written with the intention of exploring the human condition. He sought to highlight the vanity and hedonism of human behaviour. His works aim to inspire readers to reflect on the consequences of their actions and the importance of living a full and purposeful life. Ultimately, Twain’s works explore the fragility of life, touching on a number of themes such as death, conflict, suffering and, ultimately, joy.
The Comic Mind
Twain was fascinated by the power of comedy and its ability to express the essence of humanity and shake off the constraints of convention. His works often deliver pointed messages and criticisms with a comical element. Twain argued that the comedic impulse had brains behind it – a fact that many of his readers often underestimate. At the same time, Twain explored the absurd nature of man’s existence and the underlying frustration that often shapes his writing.
The Role of Experience and Education
Twain was a great believer in the power of experience and education. He was particularly interested in their combined ability to shape the human intellect. Through his works, Twain was able to demonstrate a newfound appreciation of learning, exploring and experimentation in order to gain new insights and perspectives. Twain often made a point of criticizing those who remained stagnant in their thinking and challenged the idea of merely repeating conventions.
