Mark Twain Influence On Society

Mark Twain was born as Samuel Langhorne Clemens on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri. His writings quickly became a staple and created the genre of American Literature. “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn” are still required reading in public schools throughout our country, even though they were written over a century ago. He had the ability to turn a phrase and illicit emotion from any reader, allowing him to travel within many influential social groups. Twain had the ear of this countries most influential early leaders and innovators. Mingling with the likes of Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, and President Ulysses S. Grant, Twain became a noted figure and early popular culture icon. He branched out and
His description of both the horse and rider in “The Pony Express” allow for an almost television like experience. “The rider’s dress was thin and fitted close; he wore a roundabout and a skullcap and tucked his pantaloons into his boot tops like a race rider” (Colbert). It was this writing style and attention to detail that made Mark Twain an early influence on some of the most noted names in literature. Peers are generally the best litmus test for how successful and influential one is in their chosen field. Ernest Hemingway was famously quoted as saying, “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called ‘Huckleberry Finn,’” (Hemingway). An author with the stature and reverence such as Hemingway’s carries a lot of validity. Mark Twain continues to influence and inspire authors today. For example, Stephen King is arguably one of the most successful modern authors in the world. In an article denoting King’s involvement with the “Twain House”, King credits Twain with his first introduction into writing about human beings and their behavior. Speaking on “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” King says, “The part about whitewashing the fence was my first appreciation of human behavior” (King). Mark Twain’s influence from beyond the grave has produced literary masterpieces from his gracious peers. However, his influence did not stop within the microcosm of literature, it
He was often labeled a liberal and a conservative. Politicians often have trouble with any person they cannot place in one box or the other. It is easier to pander to a constituent when their likes and dislikes are black and white. Mark Twain was a liberal in his time and belonged to many groups opposing slavery and championing women’s suffrage. His notoriety and membership in such groups, caught the attention of the public. In the early 1900’s, Mark Twain arrived in New York and announced his anti-imperialist stance in many New York newspapers. “The author’s powerful statements at once came to the attention of the “Anti-Imperialist League” (1898-1920), a politically heterogeneous organization founded in Boston to oppose the American seizure of Spain’s empire” (Titta). The League took notice and offered Twain membership. He accepted, and the Anti-Imperialist League quickly increased their notoriety. Mark Twain used his literary fame to influence and change the country’s political climate. He put his face on issues that mattered the most to him, and in turn, influenced both voters and