1835 – 1910

-Born as Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Missouri -forced to go to work as a newspaper editor at the age of 12, after his father died (mostly to help support mother and sister) -At 18, he set out on his own as a printer for the next 15 years. -Discovered a love for steamboats that filled the Mississippi River. -Received his pen name “Mark Twain” from boat, dealing with marking water depth. -Most celebrated humorist in American history and literature. -In addition to being a humorist, he is also labeled as a Realist (a bit ironic) -Behind the humor in his literature, exists a revelation of reality -Active in Civil War with Confederates, but abandoned military life quickly to be a gold prospector in Nevada. -Didn’t get rich, but became inspired through storytelling

-In 1871, he moved to Connecticut and built a large home that is visited today by thousands of tourists yearly. -Began publishing work (including Roughing It and Life on the Mississippi) -Began writing The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) -Tone and voice difficulties / couldn’t decide if he was writing for children or adults -In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), Twain found the voice he was seeking. -Could never duplicate the success of this novel, but continued to write -His later years were filled with financial, professional and personal tragedy -Bankruptcy -Death – oldest daughter in 1896 (meningitis), wife in 1904 (chronic illness), and youngest daughter in 1909 (epileptic seizure) -“I know now what the soldier feels when a bullet crashes through his heart.”

Vocabulary Vernacular language – the language commonly spoken by people in a particular place or region Idioms – expressions that make no literal sense, i.e. raining cats and dogs Dialect – local variations of spoken words Comic Devices Hyperbole – outrageous exaggerations Understatement – saying less than what is really meant, usually for ironic purposes Comic comparisons – similes and metaphors that create colorful, outlandish images Comic characters and situations – usual people dealing with unlikely events

Read “The celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” pages As you are reading find one example of each of the literary focus terms. Answer: What does the narrator hope to learn from Simon Wheeler? What does he learn instead? According to Wheeler, what was Jim Smiley’s favorite activity? Which frog wins the jumping contest? Why?