“Mark Twain”
Samuel Clemens was one of America’s most renowned authors. The colorful life he led was the basis for his writing. Although his formal education ended when he was 12 years old with the death of his father, his varied career interests provided an informal education that was not unlike many others of his generation. Clemens brought these rich experiences to life in his writing.
Samuel Clemens was recognized for his fiction as well as his humor. It had been said that “… next to sunshine and fresh air Mark Twain’s humor has done more for the welfare of mankind than any other agency.” (Railton, “Your Mark Twain,” 1999) By cleverly weaving fiction and humor, he developed many literary masterpieces. Some say his greatest masterpiece was “Mark Twain,” a pen name (pseudonym) Clemens first used in the Nevada Territory 1863. This fictitious name became a kind of mythic hero to the American Public. (Railton, “Samuel Clemens as Mark Twain,” 1999) Some of his masterpieces that are among his most widely read books are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was first published in 1876. Such characters as Tom Sawyer, Aunt Polly, Becky Thatcher and Huck Finn have captured the attention of readers for generations. Boys and girls, young and old, enjoy Tom Sawyer’s mischievousness. Who can forget how Tom shared the privilege of whitewashing Aunt Polly’s fence? What child wasn’t fascinated by the episode of Tom and Becky lost in a cave?
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published in 1885. Many of the characters included in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer surface again in Huckleberry Finn. Children are able to live vicariously through Huck. What child hasn’t dreamed of sneaking out of the house at night and running away to live a lifestyle of their own making?
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