Biography of Mark Twain Essay - 1429 Words

Biography of Mark Twain Mark Twain was a writer whose works revolved around his childhood experiences growing up on the Mississippi River. The main source of his writing was the time he spent in Hannibal, Missouri as a young boy. He also used his childhood friends in many of his work, such as modeling the character Sid in Huck Finn after his brother Henry. Twain also used the happy times in his life to express his feeling in his writings. Twain used the trials of his life to make his works humorous and all-time American classics. Twains life began in the sleepy town of Florida, Missouri. After a few years of living in Florida, Twains family packed up and moved to Hannibal, Missouri, about 30 miles away from Florida. Hannibal is†¦show more content†¦Almost a half-century later he wrote in Following the Equator: all that goes to make me in me was in a Missourian village, on the other side of the globe (21). After leaving Hannibal, Twain traveled about America as a printer, set ting type in composing rooms in St. Louis, New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Keokuk and Muscantine, Iowa (22). Twains letters to his family during this period, his correspondence to the Muscatine Journal, and the Snodgrass letter reveal his social and political thinking at this stage (22). As in Hannibal, his work as a printer kept him in touch with the literature that went into the newspapers as fillers (22). On April 15, 1857, the Paul Jones, piloted by Horace Bixby, set off for New Orleans from Cincinnati (23). On board was a young Mark Twain. From the gulf port he planned to sail for the Amazon to make a fortune in cocoa (23). But when he walked up the gang plank, he was headed not for South America but for a new career -- the profession of piloting (23). This is the beginning of Twains life on the muddy Mississippi River and many experiences that would be put into text. On April 9, 1859, he was granted his pilots license, and became a co-pilot with the veteran where it all be gan Horace Bixby (23). The influence of the greatest of American rivers permeates every phase of Mark Twains development (23). As Twain observed himself he wrote: I got personally and familiarly acquainted with about allShow MoreRelatedBiography of Mark Twain Essay1175 Words   |  5 PagesBiography of Mark Twain Twain, Mark, pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), American writer and humorist, whose best work is characterized by broad, often irreverent humor or biting social satire. Twains writing is also known for realism of place and language, memorable characters, and hatred of hypocrisy and oppression. Born in Florida, Missouri, Clemens moved with his family to Hannibal, Missouri, a port on the Mississippi River, when he was four years old. There he receivedRead MoreA Brief Biography of Mark Twain668 Words   |  3 PagesMark Twain was born on November. 30, 1835 in the small town of Florida, MO. Mark’s birth name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. In 1839, the Clemens family moved 35 miles east to the town of Hannibal, in Mississippi. Mark kept to himself and in doors in his early years because of poor health and sickness. That was the case until he became years of age. He recovered from his illness and started playing outside with the rest of the children. Growing up his Father was a judge and worked a lot. He alsoRead MoreEssay on A Brief Biography of Mark Twain1322 Words   |  6 Pagesfrom living life and experiencing the hustle and bustle of a river town. Clemens later went on to become a riverboat pilot perpetuated by displaying his yearning for travel. While on the river Samuel’s pen name became the name we all know today, Mark Twain. A term that riverboat engineers used to describe the depth of the waters the boat traveled. Twain’s humoristic writing style was influenced by his days as an editor of a local newspaper. A news paper that was saturated with jokes and tall talesRead MoreMark Twain Research Paper900 Words   |  4 PagesName -- Professor Reber English 1113 10 October 2012 Mark Twain Mark Twain was a world renowned novelist and a beloved American Writer. He wrote things about what was happening in the world around him and is also a huge part of American Literature. Although Mark Twain is a famous novelist his home life, background/achievements, and greatest accomplishments are what made him who he is today. Mark Twain was more than the man we all know. For one thing, he was born as Samuel Langhorn ClemensRead MoreEssay on Twain is His Name, Even if He Was Born Samuel L. Clemens523 Words   |  3 PagesMany people have heard of Mark Twain, but his real name is Samuel L. Clemens. He is one of the most influential authors in writing, and he is the guy with the white suit and a cigar (Brown, Don). His career has inspired many to become authors, but he faced many challenges in his older years, which affected his ideal of becoming wealthy. Nevertheless, he has had an impact on American Literature, securing him a spot in the History Hall of Fame. Mark Twain had a typical childhood for his time, butRead MoreEssay about Mark Twain641 Words   |  3 PagesIn the biography Mark Twain: The Divided Mind of Americas Best-Loved Writer by David W. Levy it was made clear that Mark Twain was very involved with all the society changes in his time period. Many of his novels have a theme circulating around the different changes and problems in society including slavery and racism. Mark Twain has been through the years preceding the Civil War, the Gilded Age and industrialization, this book explores his attitude and actions during the time period. This bookRead MoreThe Private History of a Campaign That Failed: Twains War Diary1467 Words   |  6 Pagesfront. Straightaway half the command was in swimming and the other half fishing,†and so Mark Twain’s short story: The Private History of a Campaign that Failed is summarized—but was Twain swimming or fishing? Published in 1896, Twain’s piece follows a band of youthful Civil War rebels through the eyes of their 24-year-old ‘leader’. Instantly one can distinguish the inadequacies of the â€Å"Marion Rangers† as Twain depicts both their cowardice and inexperienced war tactics. Through a closer examinationRead More Samuel Langhorne Clemens Essay1140 Words   |  5 PagesSamuel Langhorne Clemens Samuel Langhorne Clemens or commonly known as Mark Twain was an American writer and humorist. Twain’s writing is also known for realism of place and language, memorable characters, and hatred of bad faith and oppression. Clemens was born in Florida and then later on moved to Hannibal, Missouri, a Mississippi river port, when he was four years old. There he received a public school education. After his father died in 1847, Clemens was assisted to two Hannibal printersRead MoreRacism of Yesterday and Today Essay1655 Words   |  7 PagesThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written by Mark Twain in the middle of the nineteenth century. Much of the inspiration for the book came from Mark Twain’s own encounters. Twain’s experiences as a steamboat pilot from 1835 to 1845 provided a great deal of the historical context for his work. The novel revolves around a southern boy, Huck, and a slave named Jim who both reject society by running away in hopes of finding freed om. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn highlights and portrays theRead MoreHow Mark Twain Influenced American Literature1641 Words   |  7 PagesHow Mark Twain Influenced American Literature When you think of the start of American Literature, what comes to your mind? Authors such as Walt Whitman, Ernest Hemmingway, Emily Dickinson, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain stick out in our minds. They were the face of post-civil war and social realism poetry. Today we will take a closer look at Mark Twain, who was also known as the â€Å"Father† of American Literature. His work has survived more than 100 years after his death. Mark Twain was born in