1. Mark Twain Bio
Born in Missouri in the year 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Controversy surrounding Huck Finn
Huck’s character
The n word

6. 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

7. Historical Context of Huck Finn
Setting of the novel is between
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

8. 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

9. 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
Thirteenth Amendment stated freedom for slaves

10. 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

11. 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 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