a.k.a. Samuel Langhorne Clemens - · PDF file · 2014-04-06Born Samuel Langhorne...
4
1 Mark Twain a.k.a. Samuel Langhorne Clemens Synopsis Biography Works Views Legacy Mark Twain Synopsis Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens American author and humorist "Father of American literature" (William Faulkner) Praise from critics and peers Best known for Adventures of Huckleberry Finn The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Biography Beginning life Wife and kids Interest in technology and science Late life Beginning life Born: Nov. 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri Family Merchant parents Sixth of seven children Grew up in Missouri Impact of slavery Worked for newspapers Beginning life cont. Beginning life Education Not beyond elementary school Educated himself Use of public libraries
Transcript of a.k.a. Samuel Langhorne Clemens - · PDF file · 2014-04-06Born Samuel Langhorne...
1
Mark Twaina.k.a. Samuel Langhorne Clemens
Synopsis
Biography
Works
Views
Legacy
Mark Twain
SynopsisBorn Samuel LanghorneClemens
American author andhumorist
"Father of American literature"(William Faulkner)
Praise from critics and peers
Best known forAdventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Biography
Beginning life
Wife and kids
Interest in technology and science
Late life
Beginning life
Born: Nov. 30, 1835 inFlorida, Missouri
FamilyMerchant parents
Sixth of seven children
Grew up in Missouri Impact of slavery
Worked for newspapers
Beginning life cont.Beginning
life
EducationNot beyondelementary school
Educated himself
Use of public libraries
2
Married Olivia Langdon Feb. 1870"Wealthy but liberal family"
Met abolitionists, socialists, and women'srights activists.
Olivia's death in 1904
Three daughtersSusy, Clara, Jean
Wife and kids
Interest in technology and science
Nikola Tesla's lab
InventionsBed clamp for infants, new typeof steam engine, kaolatype
WritingsA Connecticut Yankee inKing Arthur's Court
Pioneer in science fictiongenre
Late life
Suffered from depression
Wrote autobiography
Oxford University Award
Died April 21, 1910
Works
Transition from light andhumorous
American literature built onAmerican themes andlanguage
Suppressed worksAdventures of Huckleberry Finn
Synopsis of Twain's works
Synopsis cont.
Not all of Twain's workcan be tracked down
Large number of writings
Use of pen names
3
Early writing
The Celebrated JumpingFrog of Calaveras County
New York Saturday Press
First important work
Wrote about travelHumorous
Informative
Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn
The Adventures ofTom Sawyer
Inspired by Twain's youth
Main character modeledafter Twain
Book was a huge success
Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn cont.
Adventures ofHuckleberry Finn
Had trouble completing
"The first GreatAmerican Novel"
More serious tone thanTom Sawyer
Required reading inmany schools
Later writing
Wrote darker, political piecesThe Private History of a Campaign That Failed,A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court,Pudd'nhead Wilson
Literary reviews
Autobiography
Views
Synopsis
Evolution of views
Anti-imperialism
Minorities
Women
Synopsis of Twain's views
Social critic AND author
Strong political views
4
Evolution of views
Maintained a neutral stance during theCivil War
Views became more radical with age
VP of American Anti-Imperialist League
Wrote pamphlets
"Hatred and condemnation ofimperialism of all stripes"
Anti-Imperialism
Minorities
"Lincoln's Proclamation...not only set the black slavesfree, but the white man freealso." -Mark Twain
Saw injustice in treatment ofminorities
Minorities
Women
Strong supporter of women's rights
Twain's powerful speech, "Votes for Women"
Legacy
Mark Twain House
Twain statue in Hannibal, Missouri
Mark TwainElementary School,Mark Twain MemorialBridge, Mark TwainVillage, Mark TwainAward, Mark TwainBoyhood Home &Museum, Mark TwainHouse, etc.
The End
"Get your facts firstand then you candistort them asmuch as you wish."- Mark Twain
