1. Mark Twain and Corn-Pone Opinions

2. Definition Corn-pone:
Of or characteristic of an unsophisticated rural person, especially from the South (hick)
Type of corn bread
Question to consider: why would Twain title this essay Corn-Pone Opinions?

3. Twain Wrote Corn-Pone Opinions in 1901
Near the end of his life (died 1910)
Good description of his thoughts on the human race
Keep this in mind when reading Huck Finn

4. Mark Twain and corn pone
Read Corn Pone Opinions individually
Answer (these will go in a homework packet):
How does Twain describe humans and their opinions? Give three specific examples.
Where does Twain believe people get their political opinions and beliefs?
How does this impact the country? Society? The individual?
Why are high school students more likely to have their own opinions?

5. Things to think about Is there such a thing as an “original opinion”?
What are humans (think human nature) inclined to do?
Where does self-approval come from?
What does Twain mean when he says we are “creatures of outside influences”?
Why is this a negative thing?
What are the two types of corn-pone opinions?
Explain Public Opinion

6. Summary
Man's ideas and opinions are solely based on others' ideas and opinions
Man does not think for themselves, instead they conform