Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

1. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain “All American literature began with the publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (Ernest Hemingway)

2. Frank McCourt, author of Angela’s Ashes, wrote: After I read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, I knew that someday I had to come to America.”

3. Who was Mark Twain? • Why is Adventures of Huckleberry Finnsuch an important novel? • What makes this novel so distinctly American?

4. Importance of the Novel: • First American novel to capture the “sounds” of American speech by accurately using the dialects of poor Missouri whites and blacks • Although supposedly taking place BEFORE the Civil War, the book openly condemned the ill-treatment that blacks were still experiencing in the 1880s in America • The novel dared to condemn racial inequality

5. Mark Twain1835-1910 • Born near Hannibal, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River • Halley’s Comet was visible (he predicted that he would die when the comet came again) • Hannibal, Missouri, served as the model for the town in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

6. Childhood: • His father died when Twain was twelve; Twain worked to help support family • Became a journeyman apprentice printer for the Hannibal Gazette newspaper • Left home for St. Louis, New York, and Philadelphia as an “itinerant” (traveling) printer

7. The Mighty Mississippi • Became a steamboat captain on the Mississippi (a high-paying, and sometimes dangerous, occupation) • Piloted for two years, “learning the river” • His pseudonym MAY have come from “mark twain,” the term signaling the correct depth of water for a riverboat, OR it came from always getting two drinks (“mark twain”—mark “two” drinks) in bars out West • Civil War broke out, ending most traffic on the river • Joined the Confederate army, but deserted after two weeks

8. Out West: • Traveled to Nevada and California with his brother • Forced to leave Nevada for fleeing a duel • Began writing for newspapers and magazines • Traveled to Hawaii as a reporter for a San Francisco newspaper • Began a successful career as a “stand-up” comedian, reading his works and telling jokes

9. Europe • Traveled to Europe • While onboard ship, saw a picture of the sister of one of the ship’s passengers, and “fell in love instantly” • Returned to New York; met “Livy,” the girl in the picture • Courted Livy; married her in 1870

10. Marriage and Success: • Twain published The Innocents Abroad, which was an instant bestseller • Married Livy; her parents gave the couple a house as a wedding present • Their first child, a son, died • They had the first of their three daughters • Twain invented and patented the Mark Twain Self-Pasting Scrapbook

11. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer • Published in 1876, this was a cheerful childhood “adventure” book with a happy ending, based on his childhood in Hannibal, MO • A wildly successful book, Twain’s wealth grew

12. Career Flourished: • Published A Tramp Abroad , Life on the Mississippi; and The Prince and the Pauper • Published the memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, saving Grant’s family from financial ruin • Started investing in the Paige Typesetter (which would later prove unwise) • Published Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

13. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: • Readers expected this novel to be a “sequel” to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer • Many were shocked and angered that the novel dared to take on the issue of racial equality • Others were outraged that the narrator of the book was an uneducated, somewhat “delinquent” child with an alcoholic father

14. Publishing Business: • Twain founded his own publishing company • Foolishly invested in the Paige typesetter, buying exclusive rights • Published A Connecticut in King Arthur’s Court

15. Financial Tragedies: • Twain invested nearly $200,000 in the Paige Typesetter • He published Pudd’nhead Wilson, and his publishing company failed • Twain declared bankruptcy • Forced to tour Europe, giving readings and humorous speeches to raise money to pay off his debts

16. Family Tragedies: • Susie, his favorite daughter, died while Twain was away in Europe • His wife’s health started failing and she died • Paid off all his debts • His daughter Jean died • He formed the Angelfish Club for young girls • Experienced heart trouble and died in the year that Halley’s Comet returned.