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Samuel 'Mark Twain' Clemens is in my opinion a very important figure in US history and I would say that he represented America in a very similar way to Franklin nearly a century before him. What are your thoughts on this man and how do you think he contributed to you on a personal level as well as to US culture and history? I am wanting to write a paper on him when I make the time.
I think Mark Twain is in the national consciousness because many high school students have to read at least one of his works while growing up. So Twain really is part of the culture by way of affecting the common adolescent experience. Personally, I don't think I've read anything else he has written…his only work was Huckleberry Finn, and that was many years ago. Yet I know he is an important historical figure because he is frequently quoted, and his name pops up from time to time in places in history, which tells me that he was a popular figure in his own day.
Personally, I don't think I've read anything else he has written...his only work was Huckleberry Finn, and that was many years ago. Yet I know he is an important historical figure because he is frequently quoted, and his name pops up from time to time in places in history, which tells me that he was a popular figure in his own day.
Okay Phid - here's your reading list for the next twelve months - plenty of time to read these and other, more serious, stuff. Tom Sawyer, The Innocents Abroad, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Pudd'nhead Wilson, Following the Equator, The Prince and the Pauper It may be fiction, but I think that his works really help us understand that period of American history and society - besides, they're entertaining in their own right. My brother makes a rather convincing argument that nothing original (that was any good) has been written since Huck Finn.I think that one of the things that made Twain such an icon is not only his ability to capture the reader with accurate and "living" descriptions and characters, but his unrelenting stab at the popular culture of the time.
Personally, I don't think I've read anything else he has written...his only work was Huckleberry Finn, and that was many years ago. Yet I know he is an important historical figure because he is frequently quoted, and his name pops up from time to time in places in history, which tells me that he was a popular figure in his own day.
Okay Phid - here's your reading list for the next twelve months - plenty of time to read these and other, more serious, stuff. Tom Sawyer, The Innocents Abroad, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Pudd'nhead Wilson, Following the Equator, The Prince and the Pauper It may be fiction, but I think that his works really help us understand that period of American history and society - besides, they're entertaining in their own right. My brother makes a rather convincing argument that nothing original (that was any good) has been written since Huck Finn.I think that one of the things that made Twain such an icon is not only his ability to capture the reader with accurate and "living" descriptions and characters, but his unrelenting stab at the popular culture of the time.
This is what I have been thinking. I think Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Herman Melville are some of the greatest writers I have read. I have also heard that 'nothing good has been written since Huckleberry Finn' which may be an ambitious statement but it may be true. I suppose it's a matter of preference. His works were undoubtedly inspired greatly by the Mississippi where he grew up, as well as the issue of slavery (Twain was anti-slavery as far as I know, even though he supported the Confederate cause with his brother).People have made allegories to his use of language in Huckleberry Finn and how he wanted to write how the people spoke and not with the formality of British English and as a result it was banned in many libraries for its 'coarse language'.
I have seen censored versions of Twain's wonderful 1601, which deserves the Le Petomaine/Blazing Saddles award and can be found for free uncensored on the site known as Full Books.His satire on Shakespeare-speech is a hoot.
Forgot to add that on Full Books you can read other Twain works including A Connecticut Yankeee in King Arthur's Court at no charge. Many classics there.Books are listed by title.
Phid, I am shocked 😮 that you thought the only thing Mark Twain wrote was Huckleberry Finn. He is probably the Greatest American writer that this nation has produced. He was original and funny without sugarcoating the society in which he lived. I have read all of his fiction and as much of his non-fiction as I have found. His books were some of the first I read as a kid. My Aunt gave me a copy of Tom Sawyer when I was 5 and just learning to read, I have loved it ever since.
Phid, I am shocked 😮 that you thought the only thing Mark Twain wrote was Huckleberry Finn. He is probably the Greatest American writer that this nation has produced. He was original and funny without sugarcoating the society in which he lived. I have read all of his fiction and as much of his non-fiction as I have found. His books were some of the first I read as a kid. My Aunt gave me a copy of Tom Sawyer when I was 5 and just learning to read, I have loved it ever since.
No, I knew he wrote much more and was a prolific writer, but the only work of his that I have read has been Huckleberry Finn. A few years ago when I had more free time on my hands I decided to start reading some of the classics that I never got around to reading, but I didn't make it to American novels. I guess Twain will have to wait until I get more time in the future.I heard recently that during his life he was called in to testify (before Congress?) at a hearing in Washington (I believe it had to do with the nature of copyright). He was a celebrity during his lifetime and so the room was packed with spectators. He came in wearing his trademark white suit. It's always interesting to hear about how historical figures we're familiar with today were treated during their own times.
PBS did a very good documentary on him, it was done by Ken Burns the very same that did the epic 10 hour Civil War documentary.From what I heard Huckleberry Finn was banned in many places because of its 'coarse' language, probably not so much the N word as much as the overall level of slang and grammatical inconsistencies (which in my opinion is part of what makes it a great novel, in that it tries to capture the lifestyle of the miss in those times).I would put his works up there with my other favorites Moby Dick and F scott Fitzgerald's great gatsby
PBS did a very good documentary on him, it was done by Ken Burns the very same that did the epic 10 hour Civil War documentary.From what I heard Huckleberry Finn was banned in many places because of its 'coarse' language, probably not so much the N word as much as the overall level of slang and grammatical inconsistencies (which in my opinion is part of what makes it a great novel, in that it tries to capture the lifestyle of the miss in those times).I would put his works up there with my other favorites Moby Dick and F scott Fitzgerald's great gatsby
Yeah, I watched that not too long ago. Great series. I posted some stuff on it over here:
Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer are still banned in plenty of places. I know you could not get Huck Finn at my son's Middle School library in TX until a bunch of us parents made a stink about it.
