How Did The Economy Affect Mark Twain's Life

The diverse time periods people grow up in have different effects on the lives they live. Mark Twain had experienced many devastating events in his life, yet not all were personal. For instance, he lived during the American Civil War. The economy was tough, either you were wealthy or you struggled with money. Twain struggled with money all throughout his life, and his “Get Rich Quick” schemes were unsuccessful. He was in need of a career, not a job, in order to support his family. Twain, at one point in his life, was a happy steamboat captain. Life on the banks of the Mississippi was great, that was until the outbreak of the American Civil War. This horrid war halted most civilian traffic on the river. Not only that, but the war had the people
He only served for a couple of weeks, when his volunteer unit disbanded (“Mark Twain- Biography”). At a time of debt, he fell back onto writing. As a matter of fact, Twain became a traveling lecturist. The civil war had opened Twain’s eyes to equality and fairness. This event shaped his writings and speeches towards more positivity and togetherness as it completely changed his point of view on life (Pearson). Speaking of changing viewpoints, “By the time he had three kids, Twain had gained a reputation for his biting wit, and clear vision of distinctions, as well as for his lack of prejudice. He took people as they came, and recorded his observations of both people and place with clarity and color” (“What Are Some Interesting Facts About Mark Twain”). After the civil war, Twain wandered out West in search of both cash and excitement. He joined the prospect for gold and silver in California and Nevada. Unfortunately, he left without the riches he expected so, in order to get cash, he went back to writing. Knowing the world of writing, Twain became a reporter for the Virginia City Territorial
Satirical humor was a technique that has been evident amongst many of Mark Twain’s pieces, including Advice to Little Girls. His upbringing and its hurdles had shaped Twain into the hard-shelled author he was. In his opinion, American girls especially have been pampered and privileged for far too long. They often seem as though they can get away with anything because they are “fragile.” In reality, these girls are evolving more and more towards a loss of proper etiquette. In Advice to Little Girls, Twain analyzes the stereotypical society of a women. Having three girls of his own, he uses prior knowledge to connect and understand the mindset of a girl. In doing this, he has the humor and sarcasm in his personality to illustrate some displicine for the readers. The children’s American literature during this time incorporated lessons and role models. Twain, though, did not follow these guidelines. He wrote for children to stand on their own and to realize life can be funny and dandy, but you eventually have to let go of Mommy’s hand and do something. Since humor does not have to be limited to any audience in particular, Twain wrote Advice to Little Girls in a way so humorous that children can decide for themselves the content is silly and sarcastic, therefore demonstrating bad behavior that should not be imitated (“Witty Counsel to Young Ladies of 1865”). In this short story, Twain did not talk down