Mark Twain's Advice To Youth

Twain mentions on how we as teenagers and smaller kids should consider on hearing and thinking more when adults try to give us advice, because most of them have already been through what we are living now. On the lesson he gives us an advice on how becoming a better liar can make you a much smarter person in a very humorous and entertaining way.

1. The issue Twain is satirizing is that youths are being told how to live and how to act when they get older.

The first paragraph introduces Twain’s decision to run for president and willingness to claim responsibility for all of his wrongful actions throughout his life. For example, Twain uses details to illustrate to the readers various questionable actions, including shooting his grandfather, fleeing the Civil War, and burying his grandmother under his grapevine. “…I emptied shot into his legs. I did this because he snored.” Twain’s interpretation of this event is greatly enhanced by his use of details. In addition, Twain also alludes to

Twain was at an age where he was seeking out attention. Because of that, he was willing to commit a dishonest act in order to achieve it, “Success to crime… Whatever Hicks had failed in, I made it a point to succeed in” (Twain, 2). Twain knew what he was doing. He knew that he was committing a crime by pretending and lying.

Mark Twain is satirizing the advice young people are given by authoritative figures on different issues in life. The words of wisdom used to guide youth usually promote the same ideals and are repeated so often that in some sense they lose their strength. That does not mean though that the issues they touch upon are not important. Twain uses humor to actually make young people go beyond the banality and conformity and ask questions of importance.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by the pseudonym Mark Twain, has been central to American literature for over a century. His seemingly effortless diction accurately exemplified America’s southern culture. From his early experiences in journalism to his most famous fictional works, Twain has remained relevant to American writing as well as pop culture. His iconic works are timeless and have given inspiration the youth of America for decades. He distanced himself from formal writing and became one of the most celebrated humorists. Mark Twain’s use of the common vernacular set him apart from authors of his era giving his readers a sense of familiarity and emotional connection to his characters and himself.

Even though the book shows immaturity I think the audience it's intended for is old enough to not be influenced by bad behavior in a book. This leads me into my next point The strength of writing of Mark Twain. Mark Twain’s writing is very unique because of the way he studies the background of the people the books are about. One of the best features of the book is the way Mark Twain uses dialect. "No! W'y, what has you lived on? But you got a gun. Oh, yes, you got a gun. Dat's good. Now you kill sumfn en I'll make up de fire." (Twain). As you can see in the quotes Mark Twain has a magical way of writing and giving an accurate picture of how it was in the mid 1800s.

Following the conclusion of Pudd’nhead Wilson, a novel written by Mark Twain in 1894, but taking place in the 1850s, it is obvious that the book was inundated with a myriad of differing themes. However, there is a theme that stands out in terms of being the most influential message conveyed by Twain. This theme is that deception does not succeed, nor have favorable outcomes. I was able to choose one specific scene from the novel that truly represents this theme. The scene that most symbolizes the backfiring and disadvantages of deception is in the scene where Tom is sold down the river. This scene is important because it accurately depicts the results of deception and epitomizes the role that trickery plays in one’s life.

Twain exaggerates and uses irony throughout his speech to target questions about the advice adults have given them. He wants us to ask if the advice is actually good, or we just listened to it because our parents told us it is right or good. This way, his speech and wording encourages us to think for ourselves about what is really right, and what is really good advice to take on in life. 6.

Mark Twain’s syntax and diction make a distinct writing style that conveys not at all simple ideas about life and oppression through a young and uneducated boy who speaks mostly in messy and short sentences. The passage above shows Mark Twain’s skill at conveying adventure and childish fun just by vivid imagery- something heavily relied on in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Words and phrases such as: “best fun”, “right down good sociable time”, and the misspelled, “intellectural” in the passage show Twain’s entirely informal diction. Mark Twain also chooses to write with a very life-like syntax, using short sentences and rambling character dialogue.

In “Advice to Youth”, Mark Twain uses satire to provide advice to two different audiences: the youth and their parents, and therefore, the two groups can come together over the essay.

Mark Twain, in his writing of “Advice to Youth,” reveals what he believes to be relevant instruction to guide the youth to success. These statements in regard to who he’s speaking to is are as pertinent today as it was in 1882 when the speech was given. This didactic oratory, as it was written to the young, is expressed in the vernacular which allows for a sense of relation from Twain to those he’s speaking to. In addressing this advice, Twain uses several literary techniques including satire, diction, and hyperbole among several others. Specifically used by Twain is Juvenalian satire which bitterly and ironically criticizes society, in this case how children are raised to think and act.

Lying can be used for good, as well as it can be used for bad. Huck is able to save both himself and his friends by lying, even though society tells him it is wrong. Huck instead separates himself and creates a new identity for himself through lying. But not everyone has other people’s well being in mind. In the King and the Duke’s reign of tricks upon their unsuspecting victims they instead use lying and deceit as a way to get drinking money. Lying and deception play a large role throughout Mark Twain’s, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as it is both a reason and an escape from conflict. Both lying and deception are also used as a way to show the stark difference between appearances and reality because lying is what hides the reality from Huck and the rest of the characters within the

To me, this quote means that as long as you do what you want and follow your dreams, they will come true. I can somewhat relate to this because I am both cautious and careful at some things I do, and lazy and uncaring about others. So far, I have gotten some sort of success from how I behave, but sometimes it doesn’t work out and I regret it. This most likely relates to Mark Twain himself because of what he has done in his life, and the fact that this is his quote.

Mark Twain’s “Advice to Youth” is more than just a satirical speech. He is advising youth to prepare to join and be competent in adult life. Twain uses satire and sarcasm as an effective tool to be able to communicate and capture his youthful audience. Since conventional sermons about ethics and morals are often heard and overused during this time, Twain was brilliant enough to understand this and develop an effective technique. Without using this technique, his speech and many of his words may of fell on many of deaf ears. His cleverness cannot be argued with the effective method used to communicate and deliver his monumental speech. However, considering that the true purpose of this message is to bring about a positive message to the teenagers, some may consider his purpose more directed towards the adults mocking the old saying ‘do as I say, not as I do’ motto. Twain may have been more focused on tying to point out the errors of adult cynicism, with a view toward making society more honest, cooperative, and rational. The end result, although untraditional and sarcastic, his speech and advice was likely absorbed by the teens because it was delivered in a way those young minds would rather hear and listen to. His satirical and humorous word and phrase choices engaged his audience and strengthened