Samuel Clemens : The Father Of American Literature

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a classic for almost all ages. The novel was first published by the Prentice Hall Library in 1884 and since then has been republished. Something notable of this book is the amount of controversy it has brought throughout the years. With such strong characters and strong messages, I can see why. Yet, don’t let such things scare you into believing those who are young shouldn’t be exposed to these powerful ideas. The story consists of Huck’s adventures from planning his own murder, to boarding a steamboat with robbers and con-artists, and concocting plans to free Jim, a slave.

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is a piece of fiction that is so strongly written it can be conceived as the truth. Mark Twain’s ability to paint a clear and realistic picture of the Southern way of life in 1885 is unparalleled in any author. The story of Huckleberry Finn is one that gives ample opportunity for interesting sights into the South at that time. The story consists of Huck and a runaway slave, along with two men and Huck’s faithful friend Tom Sawyer and some points of the novel, floating down the Mississippi’s shores and encountering different feats of Southern culture, tragedy, and adventure. A nice example of Twain’s ability to turn an event on a river into an analysis of Southern culture is a fun bit of the story where Huck

 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered by many to be the greatest American novel ever written.  Despite this praise, Mark Twain’s masterpiece has never been without criticism.  Upon its inception it was blasted for being indecent literature for young readers because of its lack of morals and contempt for conformity.  Modern indignation toward Huck Finn arises from its racist undertones, most notably Twain’s treatment of the character Jim.  As is the case with many canonized yet controversial books, the biggest conflict revolves around the inclusion of Huck Finn on required reading lists of public schools throughout the country.

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.

Mark Twain, one of the most famous and influential American writers, was born in Hannibal, Missouri on November 30, 1835 and died April 21, 1910. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, he eventually adopted his famous pseudonym in 1863. Shortly after his father's death in 1847, when Clemens was twelve, his father passed away. After his father death, he applied for an apprenticeship at the local-printing shop. While working in the printing shop, Twain learned the skills required to be a printer and developed an aptitude for witty short essays and responses. Mark Twain was enthralled by his opportunity to develop his skills as a printer, and later he realized that he had a unique talent for writing. By working as an apprentice printer, he

Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is said to be one of the greatest American novels to ever be written and is what all other pieces of American literature are based off of. The novel has been debated for over an entire century and will continue to be debated for much longer. Never the less, Huckleberry Finn teaches young students and adults the important life lessons. ”The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain should remain required reading in American Literature classes because it enlightens students about the horrors of racism and slavery, familiarizes students with the South during time period, and properly portrays the powers of conformity.

Some of the most riveting books in not just American literature but in all of history, was written by this famous author. Twain, an American writer, is one of the major authors of American fiction. Also, he is considered the greatest humorist in American literature (Alan Gribben, np). Mark Twain was influenced by the society’s conditions he lived in, hence the incorporation of much of it in his writing.

Huckleberry Finn written by Mark Twain has been a troublesome, yet successful novel ever since it was originally published in 1885. However, in that same year the Concord Library Committee banned this book from the shelves due to its setting in the past where slave owning was still legal in the United States. Twenty years after the Civil War and the south is still unhappy with the federal government’s decision to illegalize slavery. Slave ownership was a touchy subject at the time Huckleberry Finn was published, but that is the reason why this book is so successful. This novel about a young boy escaping civilization with an escaped slave tackles the tough topic about the chemistry between Americans and African Americans after the Civil War. No other author dared to write about this do to many authors being romanticists, but Mark Twain who only writes with a realistic fashion did what no other man would. This publicity stunt is the reason Huckleberry Finn is still read to this day. The controversy with this novel during the 1880s traveled throughout the years and is still as strong and present. The only difference between the topic of discussion in the late 1800s and now is the content of the book. The first few years after Huckleberry Finn was published, Americans argued whether this book should still be sold due to the fact that it deals with slavery even after the United States attacked itself to end the slave business. Many teachers feel

The novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, has received much criticism through the years. Yet Ernest Hemingway, among other great American writers, considers this work a great American classic. This novel addresses many social issues in the South before the Civil War, causing some critics to find it racist or degrading to the African American culture. For this reason, these critics often attempt to ban Huckleberry Finn, or at least censor it, taking it out of the teaching curriculum for junior high and high school students. Analyzing Twain’s major themes—his satire of racism, the cruelty of the dehumanization of Jim—and the ignorance and inhumanity

Mark Twain is important to American literature because of his novels and how they portray the American experience. Some of his best selling novels were Innocents Abroad, Life on the Mississippi, Huckleberry Finn, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In these books, Mark Twain recalls his own adventures of steamboating on the Mississippi River.

The novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is one of the most controversial novels written in American literature. Multiple different people have disagreed about this novel and whether it should be allowed to be taught in school or banned since the late 1980s. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a valuable novel and should be included in high school curriculum because it teaches students about the history of American society, it demonstrates Twain’s style of writing, and it addresses the topic of race.

In Clemens' early career, he adopted the name “Mark Twain” first used in 1863 on Enterprise. This pen name comes from the time he spent on the Mississippi river, mark twain

“All modern American Literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing good since.” Famous author, Ernest Hemingway, praised Twain. The book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn tells the story of a runaway boy who encounters an escaped slave. The pair begins an unlikely friendship and even learns life changing lessons while they venture the Mississippi River. Throughout this coming of age novel, Huck must decide on whether to use his better judgement or the morals he was taught growing up. This is a continuation of Tom Sawyer. Tom Sawyer leaves off with the titular character and his best friend Huck Finn, whom finds stolen money totaling in six thousand dollars. The town Judge, Mr. Thatcher keeps the money and evenly distributes it to the boys all year round. Twain’s Huckleberry Finn incorporates each major theme in American literature; the journey from innocence to awareness, the American dream, land of the frontier, the hero and community.

To many readers, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is known as the “Great American Novel”. It tells a story about a young boy and an escaped slave who develop an unlikely friendship while traveling down the Mississippi River. Twain explores many American literature themes in his writing. Three themes that appear frequently throughout the novel are freedom, nature, and individual conscience.

The following paper will briefly show arguments, and conclusions within the writings of Mark Twain’s story Huckleberry Finn. I will discuss the various themes that Mark Twain is bringing to light within his story. This paper will show how Mark Twain uses those themes within the story, and how they are specifically used. I will also briefly discuss the life of Samuel Clemons, the author known as Mark Twain, and give the reasoning behind choosing the name of Mark Twain when writing his novels. Themes of escapism will be discussed.