Man is the only animal that blushes— Mark Twain “The Lowest Animal” Man is the only animal that blushes— or has occasion to.

Satire: The Weapon of Laughter Mark Twain wrote that we have only “one really effective weapon—laughter. Power, money, persuasion, supplication—these can lift a colossal humbug—push it a little—weaken it a little century by century; but only laughter can blow it to rags and atoms at a blast.” I found the information about Mark Twain’s scrapbook invention at the PBS site (http://www.pbs.org/marktwain/index.html). I thought it was interesting information, and I included it in my scrapbook to serve as an introduction page. It sets up the idea of my scrapbook that would be something that Mark Twain would approve of since he kept scrapbooks. Mark Twain was involved in many schemes and inventions that he helped to finance, but always lost money. It is interesting that his scrapbook invention was profitable.

is the use of language to ridicule human weakness, vices, or stupidity, with the hope of bringing about social change. Satire-- Satire uses humor to criticize all human beings or a particular person or institution. One of the favorite techniques of the satirist is hyperbole (exaggeration)—an overstating something to make it look absurd or worse than it is. Another favorite technique is irony—stating the opposite of what is really meant.

Twain History: Though his most famous novel is criticized for being racist, Mark Twain never expected nor intended the controversy that arose with the publication of Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain was not racist, but depicted life in his times. When HF was published Mark Twain was astonished at the controversy about the book as a racist novel. His response to the criticism was that he wrote as he saw life on the Mississippi when he was growing up there. “I vividly remember seeing a dozen black men and women chained to one another, once, and lying in a group on the pavement, awaiting shipment to the Southern slave market. Those were the saddest faces I have ever seen.”– Mark Twain Pictures from www.pbs.org

Mark Twain’s quote about the controversy over HF. "I have no color prejudices nor caste prejudices nor creed prejudices. All I care to know is that a man is a human being, and that is enough for me; he can't be any worse." Pictures from www.pbs.org

By 1900 Twain had become America’s foremost celebrity. He was invited to attend ship launchings, anniversary gatherings, political conventions, and countless dinners. Reporters met him at every port of call, anxious to print a new quip from the famous humorist. To enhance his image, he took to wearing white suits and loved to stroll down the street and see people staring at him. Mark Twain love his notoriety. When he became well known for his humor, he started wearing his trademark white suite. We have many pictures of Twain from this era of his life. Pictures from www.pbs.org

When he died on April 21, 1910, newspapers around the country declared, “The whole world is mourning.” By then, Sam Clemens had long since ceased to be a private citizen. He had become Mark Twain, a proud possession of the American nation. When Twain died in 1910, he had become an American icon. He is one of the few writers who became very popular while he lived. I was interested in learning this about Twain because it is interesting that Americans can treasure literary figures and not just popular sports figures. “I was sorry to have my name mentioned as one of the great authors, because they have a sad habit of dying off. Chaucer is dead, Spencer is dead, so is Milton, so is Shakespeare, and I’m not feeling so well myself.”—Mark Twain Pictures from www.pbs.org

“You can find in a text whatever you bring, if you will stand between it and the mirror of your imagination.” Should we send this to our school board? Picture from Dave Thomson collection: www.twainquotes.com

“Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” Picture from Dave Thomson collection: www.twainquotes.com

“The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man's.” Twain could see human frailties and he poked fun of man’s weaknesses. Picture from Dave Thomson collection: www.twainquotes.com

“Humor is mankind's greatest blessing.” Wit and a command of words made Twain a popular writer. “Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.” “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.”

“By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity--another man's I mean.” Picture from Dave Thomson collection: www.twainquotes.com

“It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.” This is one of my favorite from Mark Twain.