Introduction for essay about Mark Twain
Mark Twain is one of the most celebrated authors of American literature. His real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens, and he was born in Florida, Missouri, in 1835. Twain’s family moved to Hannibal, Missouri, when he was four. Hannibal would become the inspiration for the fictional town of St. Petersburg in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain began his career as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River, but he left that job after the American Civil War began in 1861. He then became a newspaper reporter and began writing his own stories. Twain’s first major success came with the publication of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in 1876. This was followed by The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1884, which is considered one of the greatest American novels. Twain continued to write throughout his life, and his work remains popular and influential.
Structure of essay papers on Mark Twain
- Themes of college essay about Mark Twain”: The American Dream
- “The American Dream” is a recurrent theme in the works of Mark Twain. In many of his novels and stories, Twain explores the idea that the American Dream is a farce, that the promises it holds out are false, and that those who pursue it are deluded.
- One of the most famous examples of this theme can be found in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” in which Huck Finn comes to realize that the society he has been taught to respect and emulate is actually hypocritical and corrupt. This realization leads him to reject the values of that society and strike out on his own, down the river, in search of a more authentic life.
- This theme is also present in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” though in a less overt way. In this novel, Tom Sawyer grows up in a small town on the Mississippi River and learns early on that there is more to life than what he sees around him. He yearns for adventure, but his opportunities are limited by his circumstances. However, through cleverness and luck, he manages to have some adventures and learn some valuable lessons along the way. Again, the novel ultimately suggests that the American Dream is an illusion; Tom Sawyer may have had some adventures, but he also ends up right back where he started.
- Other works by Mark Twain in which this theme appears include “Life on the Mississippi,” “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” and “Pudd’nhead Wilson.” In all of these works, Twain uses satire and humor to expose the hollowness of the American Dream and to suggest that those who pursue it are likely to be disappointed.
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Conclusion
Mark Twain is one of the most beloved authors in American literature. His novels and stories are enjoyed by readers of all ages. Twain’s writing is characterized by its humor, wit, and social commentary. While some of his work is light-hearted and humorous, other pieces offer more serious insights into human nature. Twain was a master of satire, and his work often poked fun at the foibles of society. He was also a gifted storyteller, and his tales are filled with memorable characters and exciting plots. Twain’s writing is timeless and continues to entertain and enlighten readers today.
The most popular works of this author
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- The Prince and the Pauper
- A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
- The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson
- The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today
- Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc
- The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories
- What Is Man? And Other Stories
- A Double-Barrelled Detective Story