The Autobiography of mark twain By Mark Twain

Objectives Understand irony and its many different types. Understand the humorous uses of irony in a text. Learn to predict events in a story. Analyze the impact of author choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story. Analyze the impact of specific word choice on meaning and tone.

Opening discussion Have you ever put on an act? Explore the consequences of deception. Can fooling others ever lead to a positive outcome – if so, for whom?

About the author Mark Twain is one of America’s greatest literary voices. He was born Samuel Longhorne Clemens. He penned the famous novels: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In his later years, he faced great tragedy with the death of two of his daughters and the failing health of his wife. His later writings reflected this glum and dark period in his life.

Mesmerism Franz Anton Mesmer was an Austrian doctor who gave his name to what he considered a system for curing illness. Mesmer believed that every part of the universe was connected by magnetic fluid and that illness occurred when the balance of fluid in a person’s body was disturbed. According to Mesmer, magnetic passes of a doctor’s hands over the patient’s body could cure illness by redirecting that fluid. After convulsions, Mesmer’s patients usually woke up and claimed to be cured of all illness. In 1778, King Louis XVI ordered that a committee be created in Paris to study Mesmer’s claims. Benjamin Franklin and other committee members declared Mesmer a fraud. Though Mesmerism was discredited as a form of medical cure, it soon became a source of entertainment. And that is when our story starts . . .

Irony and overstatement Twain usually used life’s absurdities to evoke emotion and influence readers. Twain uses the following literary Techniques: Situational Irony – a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens Dramatic Irony – when readers know more about a situation or character than the characters do Verbal Irony – a contrast between what is stated and what is meant Overstatement – an exaggeration for emphasis or for humorous effect

Irony Reread lines 14 – 19, looking for instances of Twain’s use of this rhetorical technique. Why do you think Twain uses overstatement here? How might his use of overstatement affect readers? Reread lines 125 – 142. identify the situational irony in Twain’s reaction to the skeptical wise old men in the crowd. What does this suggest about him? Reread lines 244 – 259. identify the ituational irony that underlines Twain’s confession to his mother. What statement is Twain making about honesty and deception?

Predict When you predict, you use text clues to make a reasonable guess about what will happen in a story. Sometimes a story will surprise you with a plot twist; sometimes your predictions will hit the mark. Either way, watching for text clues can help you understand Twain’s text better. Reread the first paragraph. Based on the clues presented, what can you predict about what might happen in the story? Reread lines 66 – 81. How do you predict Twain will respond to the challenge of “mute mental suggestion” from Simmons? Really lines 227 to 234. How do you think Twain’s mother will respond to his confession? Explain.

discussion Based on An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, there are many types of point of view. What is the point of view used here? Why would Twain use that point of view? Does it help or hinder the text? In what way? Why is it different form An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge? How true to life do you believe Twain’s account is? Do you really believe that this could have happened? Do we have another unreliable narrator? Recall: What position or role does young Twain want to have? Why? Summarize: What weaknesses made Hicks a bad subject? Clarify: What does Twain do to get the mesmerizer to choose him?

Discussion Analyze Irony: By its very nature irony presents a degree of tension wherever it appears – the tension between expectations and reality. In many cases, it also adds humor. Review Twain’s use of irony in the following passages. What is funny about them? “Hicks was born honest, I without that [burden] – so some people said.” (lines 48 – 49) Young Twain is genuinely hurt by those who do not believe his performances. (lines 127 – 129) Twain identifies with great heroes who tire of hearing their praises sung. (lines 213 – 223)

Vocabulary Research the following words and determine their meanings Credulity Gullible Implacable Minutest Multifariously Nettled Rapt Unassailable