Mark Twain Renowned Author and Humorist

Mark Twain ( ) Regarded as one of the greatest American writers Regarded as one of the greatest American writers He said he would have He said he would have preferred to spend his life preferred to spend his life as a Mississippi riverboat as a Mississippi riverboat pilot. pilot.

Twain as a Young Man Grew up in the Mississippi River town of Hannibal, Missouri Grew up in the Mississippi River town of Hannibal, Missouri Grew up on the banks of the Mississippi River and had a true love of its riverboats Grew up on the banks of the Mississippi River and had a true love of its riverboats

Twain as a Young Man cont. His father died when Twain His father died when Twain was 11, so he left school to was 11, so he left school to become a printer’s apprentice. become a printer’s apprentice. He so loved life on the river He so loved life on the river that he left his printing job that he left his printing job at age 21 and worked as a riverboat pilot at age 21 and worked as a riverboat pilot for several years. for several years.

Influence of the Mississippi He was so infatuated with this river that it became the basis for many of his most famous works. He was so infatuated with this river that it became the basis for many of his most famous works.

Twain the Name Twain was his pen name  his real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Twain was his pen name  his real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Felt so close to the river that he chose this pen name because it’s actually a river man’s call meaning “2 fathoms deep” Felt so close to the river that he chose this pen name because it’s actually a river man’s call meaning “2 fathoms deep”

A Traveling Man When the Civil War closed traffic on the Mississippi River, Twain went west to Nevada. When the Civil War closed traffic on the Mississippi River, Twain went west to Nevada. There he supported There he supported himself as a journalist himself as a journalist and lecturer. and lecturer.

Unique Style It was in Nevada that Twain published “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” It was in Nevada that Twain published “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” This was his version of a tall tale he heard while working as a prospector in a mine in CA. This was his version of a tall tale he heard while working as a prospector in a mine in CA. Story made him an international celebrity because of his unique writing style. Story made him an international celebrity because of his unique writing style.

Back East In 1869, Twain moved to In 1869, Twain moved to Hartford, Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut, where he lived for the rest where he lived for the rest of his life. of his life. He did continue to travel extensively, though, even living in Europe for several years, but he always returned to Hartford. He did continue to travel extensively, though, even living in Europe for several years, but he always returned to Hartford.

Inspiration He used his travels and past experiences as the basis for all of his novels. He used his travels and past experiences as the basis for all of his novels. His childhood on the Mississippi inspired “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” 2 of his most famous works. His childhood on the Mississippi inspired “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” 2 of his most famous works.

Writing Style Twain was best known for his infusion of humor in his stories Twain was best known for his infusion of humor in his stories He used a variety of techniques to make his stories humorous and, at times, almost ridiculous, but the readers LOVED them! He used a variety of techniques to make his stories humorous and, at times, almost ridiculous, but the readers LOVED them!

The Final Years After the death of Twain’s wife and 3 of his 4 children, he never really could reproduce the mix of pessimism and humor he was most famous for. After the death of Twain’s wife and 3 of his 4 children, he never really could reproduce the mix of pessimism and humor he was most famous for. His later works showed an increasingly pessimistic view of society and human nature. His later works showed an increasingly pessimistic view of society and human nature.

Humor Writing intended to evoke Writing intended to evoke laughter laughter Humorists use a variety of techniques to make their writing amusing, including: Humorists use a variety of techniques to make their writing amusing, including: –Exaggerating/embellishing incidents to build comedy –Using a narrator who takes a serious tone, adding humor by suggesting that the teller of the tale is unaware of its ridiculous qualities

Regional Dialect Language specific to a particular area of the country Language specific to a particular area of the country This can also add to the humor of a story This can also add to the humor of a story Twain was a master at adding this dialect as colorful language to his stories Twain was a master at adding this dialect as colorful language to his stories