Realism, Mark Twain, and the making of Adventures of

Huckleberry Finn

Adapted fromteacher.kent.k12.wa.us/kentridge/.../mark_twain.ppt

Part I: Realism

American Realism

• A literary movement from ~1865-1900

• In America, emphasized the abolition of slavery.

• Debated legal rights vs. human rights.

• Plots tend be both dramatic and realistic.

• Literature echoed the slave and race debates that were ongoing before, during and after the Civil War.

Core Beliefs

• South: slavery was necessary for the agricultural industry.

• North: slavery was a cruel and violated the rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

• Enslaved people wrote autobiographies about the horror of slavery as well as their desire for freedom.

Part II: Mark Twain1835 - 1910

Early Years

• Born November 30, 1835 in Joplin, Missouri (a slave state).

• Born the same day Halley’s comet passed the earth.

• Given name “Samuel Clemens.”

• Father was a printer & died of pnemonia when Twain was eleven.

• Known for mischievous pranks such as rolling boulders at oncoming wagons.

Early Years

• Dropped out of school and became a typesetter.

• Worked for his brother Orion as his assistant at a newspaper.

• Wrote short stories for fun and eventually published in the Saturday Evening Post in 1852.

Life on the Mississippi

• 1857, at the age of 21, moved to New Orleans in search of adventure and became a steamboat pilot assistant.

• 1859 earned steamboat pilot license.

• Pilot career ended in 1861 with the outbreak of the Civil War (no steamboats on the Mississippi during the war).

• Life as a pilot later described in his book Life on the Mississippi

• Adopted the name “Mark Twain” after a steamboat term meaning “two fathoms deep.”

Gold Rush Years 1862 - 1864

• Moves to Nevada with brother Henry who is appointed acting governor by President Lincoln.

• Becomes fascinated by the greed out West.

• Leaves the territory after fleeing from a gun duel with a local bandit.

The Author Years

• Publishes the short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog in Calaveras County” to acclaim in 1865

• Lectures across the United States for his wit and personality

• Marries Elvira Livy in 1869• Publishes Tom Sawyer in 1876

and starts writing Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

• Publishes Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1884.

Twain’s Late Life• During the last 15 years of his

life Twain suffered bankruptcy, the death of his wife, and children, and the publishing of twenty-four novels.

• He became excruciating bitter and depressed.

• Twain moved to Connecticut and died in 1910.

• Twain always said “he would come in and go out with Halley’s Comet.”

• Remarkably, his prediction came true, because the night of his funeral the comet flew overhead in the night sky – the second time in 76 years.

America’s First Standup Comic:Famous Quotes By Twain

On Congress: “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”

On Lying: “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”

On Growing Old: “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter “

On Cauliflower: “Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.”

On School: “Never let schooling interfere with your education.”

Part III: Huck Finn

The Plot: Huckleberry Finn• Originally written as the sequel

to Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn is Twain’s real masterpiece.

• The book is the story of Huck Finn, a boy who flees his father by rafting down the Mississippi River. He is accompanied on his journey by a runaway slave named Jim.

• The book portrays many of the evils that are present in men and women, as well as integral conflict and a sense of ethics as Huck battles between breaking the law and helping Jim escape.

Themes within the Text• Through the use of satire, or

making fun of society to bring about change, Twain criticizes feuds, orphans, parents, school, robbery, carnivals, and religion.

• Twain biggest criticism is for the institution of slavery through Huck’s decision whether or not to return Jim to his master.

• Another big theme is the difference between the river (freedom) and the shore (society). On the river Huck and Jim are generally free men; on the shore they are threatened by society.

Dialect within the Novel

• Twain extensively uses dialect, or the authentic language of a culture.

• The novel has been criticized for the use of the word “nigger” in reference to Jim.

• Critics believe that Twain uses the word because he was racist.

• Defenders suggest Twain was using the authentic language of the time, and satirizing racist language.

To ponder:

• Is Jim portrayed positively or negatively? Explain your opinion.

• What is particularly American about this novel?

• Why has the book been controversial for 125 years?

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.