Mark Twain Bio Born in Missouri in the year 1835 came in with Haley’s Comet and died when it returned Twain fulfilled his childhood ambition as a steamboat pilot He also worked as a printer in St. Louis, Cincinnati When the Civil War started, steamboat traffic on the river halted

Mark Twain Bio After Twain enlisted in the Confederate Army, he moved to Nevada with his brother. Twain’s pseudonym means: two fathoms deep His real name is Samuel Clemens Twain became famous for his tall tales and frontier stories

Mark Twain bio An accumulation of these stories resulted in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” which was a huge success! Twain traveled widely and gave lectures and wrote travel books. Innocents Abroad, one of his most popular books is based on his journey to the Holy Land.

Mark Twain bio In 1870, Twain married Olivia Langdon and moved to Hartford, Conneticut. Books Published 1872-Roughing It 1873- The Gilded Age 1876-Tom Sawyer 1885 – Huck Finn

Controversy surrounding Huck Finn Huck’s character The n word

Problems for Twain He became bankrupt through bank investment of $70,000 that failed Jean, his daughter, died Susy died of meningitis Olivia dies of heart disease Tries to recover popularity with Tom Sawyer Abroad and Tom Sawyer detective

Historical Context of Huck Finn Setting of the novel is between 1835-1845 Ideals of self-improvement, industry, and geographical expansion dominated life in the U.S Education became a new preoccupation in American thought Mass manufacturing was producing revolutionary machinery from the plow to the steam boat In spite of optimism, the issue of slavery was tormenting the country Issues surrounding the Missouri Compromise

Historical Context Racial Prejudice Thrives Entering a free state did not guarantee freedom for a slave All African Americans not in possession of freedom papers could be arrested and sent back to labor

Slave Narratives Fredrick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs Fugitive slave narratives were published before the Civil War Most powerful slave narrative is My Bondage and My Freedom Abolitionist views-feared Western expansion Southern views – defended their way of life. Civil War 1861-1865 Thirteenth Amendment stated freedom for slaves

Social Darwinism There was a large gulf between the African Americans and the displaced Native Americans Definition of Social Darwinism – Businesses would eliminate the weak and reward the strong Twain was concerned for the survival of the weak and the poor

The Country Rebuilds Recovery in the South was a slow process Recovery in the North more civilian goods were produced Between the years of 1870 and 1890 the population doubled Huck Finn published in 1885 Angry white southerners led the formation of the Ku Klux Klan Fourteenth Amendment – black citizenship Fifteenth Amendment – black voting rights