Mark Twain Essay - 1682 Words

Mark Twain was the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, one of the major authors of American fiction. Twain is also considered the greatest humorist in American literature. His varied works include novels, travel narratives, short stories, sketches, and essays. His writings about the Mississippi River, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Life on the Mississippi and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, have proven especially popular among modern readers. I feel that many of Mark Twains writings are greatly influenced by experiences that he had to deal with throughput his life. In fact, Twain centers several of his stories around his boyhood dreams on the Mississippi. This is the very subject that his pen name which means two fathoms, a†¦show more content†¦Here the young Twain experienced the excitement of the colorful steamboats that docked at the town wharf, bringing comedians, singers, gamblers, swindlers, slave dealers, and assorted other river travelers. Twain also gained his first experience in a print shop in Hannibal. He used this experience when he went to work for a newspaper and printing firm in 1847 after his father died in debt. This is where Twain gained much of his knowledge since he had little formal schooling. In 1853, Twain left Hannibal, displaying the yearning for travel that he would experience throughout his life. He stayed briefly in cities such as St. Louis, New York, Philadelphia and Cincinnati, work ing for low wages in print shops. He then traveled to Keokuk, Iowa, to assist his brother with more printing business. In 1857, Twain made plans to travel to South America, and in April of that year, he started down the Mississippi River toward New Orleans. It was on this trip that Twain made a decision with important consequences for his life and career. He met a pilot named Horace Bixby who revived Twains boyhood dream of learning the river. So, instead of traveling to South America, Twain persuaded the riverboat pilot to teach him the skills of piloting. By April 1859, Twain had become a licensed riverboat pilot and he continued with this job until secession of the South from the Union closed the river. Mark Twain served briefly in the Marion Rangers, a militia company whichShow MoreRelated Mark Twain Essays1018 Words   |  5 Pages Mark Twain, a Racist?Mark Twain was a man that was way ahead of his time. In a time when people were judged on color,Mark Twain grew up in Florida, Missouri (Mandelbrot, Twain). In Missouri and Louisiana combined there were less than one half a million white persons (Chang, Twain p. 21). Which meant the black population was abundant. While growing up Twain had no telegraph, no railroads, no stage lines of any consequence (Twain, www.marktwain.com). Also maps were scarcely ever found. So Twain didn’tRead More Mark Twain Essay1449 Words   |  6 Pages Mark Twain was a pilot, a comic lecturer, a humorist, a short story writer, and a novelist, to name a few of his many accomplishments. On November 30, 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens, otherwise known as Mark Twain, became the first man of any importance ever to be born west of the Mississippi River. He has become an icon as the American writer. This is because his way of writing cannot be simulated by Europeans or anyone else, due to the fact that the western setting of America creates aRead MoreRighteousness, By Mark Twain2411 Words   |  10 Pagesauthor, Mark Twain, it is clear from his work that he has addressed the question of righteousness. As we take a look back in time from the lens of Twain s early life, this question of righteousness becomes very relevant. Growing up during the mid 1800s in Missouri, a place rampant with slavery, Twain was able to explore the American soul with wit, buoyancy, and a sharp eye for truth. Eventually he would soon come to realize the deep racial problems that existed in the south. For the young Mark TwainRead More mark twain Essay1481 Words   |  6 Pages Samuel Clemens/Mark Twain 1835-1910 Samuel Clemens was born on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri, the sixth of seven children. At the age of four, Sam and his family moved to the small frontier town of Hannibal, Missouri on the banks of the Mississippi River. Missouri, at the time, was a fairly new state (it had gained statehood in 1820) and comprised part of the countrys western border. It was also a slave state. Sams father owned one slave and his uncle owned several. In fact, it was onRead MoreEssay Mark Twain2590 Words   |  11 PagesMark Twain As one of Americas first and foremost realists and humorists, Mark Twain, usually wrote about his own personal experiences and things he knew about from firsthand experience. # Two of his best-known novels show this trait, in his Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Twain immortalized the sleepy little town of Hannibal,Read More Mark Twain Essay1401 Words   |  6 Pages MARK TWAIN a.k.a. Samuel Langhorne Clemens nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;quot;Mark Twain, which is a pseudonym for Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was born in 1835, and died in 1910. He was an american writer and humorist. Maybe one of the reasons Twain will be remembered is because his writings contained morals and positive views. Because Twains writing is so descriptive, people look to his books for realistic interpretations of places, for his memorable characters, and his ability to describe hisRead More Mark Twain Essay2338 Words   |  10 Pages Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, is perhaps the most distinguished author of American Literature. Next to William Shakespeare, Clemens is arguably the most prominent writer the world has ever seen. In 1818, Jane Lampton found interest in a serious young lawyer named John Clemens. With the Lampton family in heavy debt and Jane only 15 years of age, she soon arried John. The family moved to Gainesboro, Tennessee where Jane gave birth to Orion Clemens. In the summer of 1827 theRead MoreMark Twain Research Paper900 Words   |  4 PagesName -- Professor Reber English 1113 10 October 2012 Mark Twain Mark Twain was a world renowned novelist and a beloved American Writer. He wrote things about what was happening in the world around him and is also a huge part of American Literature. Although Mark Twain is a famous novelist his home life, background/achievements, and greatest accomplishments are what made him who he is today. Mark Twain was more than the man we all know. For one thing, he was born as Samuel Langhorn ClemensRead MoreLife on the Mississippi by Mark Twain1523 Words   |  7 PagesLife on the Mississippi by Mark Twain is his memoir about vital river life during the steamboat era and a remembrance of it after the Civil War. . Mark Twain (1835-1910) grew up Samuel Langhorne Clemens on the Mississippi River in the small town of Hannibal, Missouri. Twain was a journalist, essayist, and writer of short stories and novels. Mark Twain tells of his life on the river, humorous stories, and a glimpse of his life during his childhood. This Memoir displays a detailed account about howRead MoreA Brief Biography of Mark Twain668 Words   |  3 PagesMark Twain was born on November. 30, 1835 in the small town of Florida, MO. Mark’s birth name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. In 1839, the Clemens family moved 35 miles east to the town of Hannibal, in Mississippi. Mark kept to himself and in doors in his early years because of poor health and sickness. That was the case until he became years of age. He recovered from his illness and started playing outside with the rest of the children. Growing up his Father was a judge and worked a lot. He also