Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. Among his novels are two of the most famous works of American literature: "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," the latter often described as 'the Great American Novel.' Twain's commentary and satire covered a wide range of human nature and society, typified by his witticism, "The only difference between reality and fiction is that fiction needs to be credible."
Quick Facts
- Wrote more than 30 works, including novels, short stories, and essays.
- His works have been translated into multiple languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide.
- His novel "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is often considered "the Great American Novel.
- He was lauded as "the father of American literature" by William Faulkner.
- His witty insights into the human condition are still widely quoted today.
- He was known for writing from the perspective of the common man, often utilizing dialects and local color.
Background
Twain was born in 1835 as Samuel Langhorne Clemens in a small town in Missouri. He grew up in the town of Hannibal, which later provided the backdrop for his most famous novels – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Briefly serving as a Confederate militiaman at the beginning of the Civil War, Clemens later traveled west to work as a miner, journalist, and steamboat pilot – an occupation which provided him his pen name, a riverboat term. A failed investment in a typesetting machine led him to declare bankruptcy but his writing career flourished with the publication of his travel novels and humorous lectures. Twain's sharp wit and incisive satire earned him praise from both critics and peers. He passed away in 1910.
Writing Style and Impact
Twain is known for his witty and satirical writing style. His use of dialect and vernacular speech was groundbreaking at the time and contributed to a more realistic portrayal of American society. His work often critiqued social norms and institutions, and his satirical lens was used to underscore the injustices and hypocrisies of his time. His work has had a significant influence on American literature, and he is often called the "father of American literature."
Notable Works
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876)
- The Prince and the Pauper (1881)
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884)
- A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889)
- The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894)