1. Samuel Longhorn Clemens 1835 - 1910
Mark Twain
Samuel Longhorn Clemens

2. Lesson Focus Determine the qualities of a good narrative
Determine period-specific vocabulary

3. His Life Clemens was born in Missouri
His work is some of the most famous produced in America
He was a humorist and satirist

4. Twain was born shortly after a visit by Halley's Comet, and he predicted that he would "go out with it", too
He died the day after the comet returned
He was lauded as the "greatest American humorist of his age“
William Faulkner called Twain "the father of American literature"

5. After Samuel’s father died, Samuel became a printer’s apprentice
He was self-educated, and traveled throughout the United States much of his life
Clemens learned to pilot a riverboat on the Mississippi River; his pen name comes from riverboat “jargon”

6. Clemens left the River at the beginning of the Civil War (river travel was difficult)
He moved west, writing as he went
A newspaper picked him up and he traveled in Europe and America, becoming more-known
It was during this period that he began using his pen name of Mark Twain

7. Clemens had financial difficulties because of bad business investments
He finally found good council, repaid his debts, and was able to settle into married life
He married Olivia Langdon in 1870

8. Olivia introduced Samuel to new ideas, including women’s rights
He also met influential people through his wife, among them Harriet Beecher Stowe
Clemens and his growing family continued traveling, and he continued making poor investments
In general, however, his life was good; he was writing well-received material, and his wife blessed him with three daughters and a son, although the son died as a child

9. Samuel’s life changed dramatically after the death of one of his daughters
Within a few years, another daughter and his wife also died
Going through a deep depression, Clemens’ work became darker
He still cared deeply for his last daughter and his friends, often helping in their financial need

10. Clemens died of a heart attack in 1910
He is buried in Elmira, New York

11. His Work Clemens is known as one of the finest American writers
His body of work includes both fiction and non-fiction
He is most famous for his novels, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”

12. Clemens’ use of dialect is particularly remarkable; his works preserve some of the unique language of the people of the time in which he lived
Samuel was particularly annoyed with people who were arrogant; his satire could be scathing
He was also a strong supporter of a democratic government; he was strongly anti-imperialist
He also supported the abolition of slavery and supported women’s rights

13. Literary Terms
Humor - A comic, absurd, or incongruous quality causing amusement
Satire – A literary work that mocks or ridicules the stupidity or vices of individuals, groups, institutions, or society in general
Hyperbole – Saying more than what is true, usually for humor or for emphasis
Tone - The attitude a writer takes toward the subject or the reader of a work of literature

14. Discussion What makes a “good narrative”?
Narrative - a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious
Plot “Hook”
Setting Dialogue
Characters Point of view

15. The Danger of Lying In Bed, page 507

16. Class Work Read the essay
Identify elements of exaggeration (hyperbole)
Literary Critique Questions, page 511, #s 1-5
Summarize statistics used in the text

17. A Night of Terror, page 512

18. Class Work Read the essay Identify period-specific vocabulary
Literary Critique Questions, page , #s 1-6

19. Homework Writing Workshop, page 511, #2: Modified
Instead of creating an entire essay, use the statistics you uncover to create a minimum of 3 charts to be used in MLA format. It should include proper citations and be ed to Mrs. Golden.
For homework, complete your research. We will discuss how to create the charts in class.
This will be a quiz grade…